Has anyone given birth at these hospitals?

[MrsVParker]

Hi Everyone and hope you are having a nice bank holiday.

I had a call from my surgery asking me which hospital I’d like to give birth at. This is baby number 1 so no experience with any of them.

My options are Wycombe birth centre, Stoke mandeville or perhaps wexam.

Has anyone had any good or bad experiences or could provide any advice?

Thank you so much x

Two of the girls from my NCT course gave birth at the midwife led unit at Stoke Mandeville and they had a great experience. I think you can do a tour of the maternity unit there x

Not given birth at any of those hospitals, but I've heard plenty of good things from Stoke Mandeville. If that counts for anything.

Thank you very much for all your help

Wexham Park do you mean? Nice enough but I’d give anything in Slough a swerve if I could.

I’m going to be going to Stoke Mandeville and received great care when I had to go to the labour ward to be checked a few weeks ago. I’m not sure when you are due but Wycombe birth centre is closed to births at the moment.

I had the option of Wexham or another hospital and I definitely wasn't going to Wexham!
Avoid

Not me but SIL has had two babies at Stoke Mandeville and generally been happy with it.

DB was most amused finding a very old leaflet in a drawer of her antenatal room which advertised the cafe for visitors under the name it very much doesn't go by anymore - Jimmy's!

Oh that’s interesting about Wexham have people not had a good experience there?

I'd avoid Wrexham. Have never heard good things about that one!

I’ve had both my babies at Stoke Mandeville and received excellent care. Had some complications in both pregnancies but the care I received there was brilliant.

I had.my twins at stoke mandeville and cant praise it enough. However I know people who have used the Wycombe birth centre AND wexham and had good reports

In fact even the food was lovely at Stoke Mandeville!!!

This is really helpful for me - I currently live in West London, but am moving to High Wycombe before my due date. I'd been planning to stay with the London birth centre because I like that it's the MLU on one floor but if something goes wrong you only need to change floor to get to the main hospital. I was put of the Wycombe birth centre by the fact it says that if you need more medical intervention there, they'll pop you in an ambulance to Stoke Mandeville.... but if there's a MLU in Stoke Mandeville anyway, maybe I'll switch to there :)

I had my daughter at Stoke Mandeville, started at the MLU was moved to labour ward (through a set of internal doors!!) and ended in EMCS. Everyone was so lovely and helpful. Having a planned section there in July xx

Yes it’s been really helpful. Does anyone know if there are any water pools I am keen to have a water birth or is to sort of luck of the draw? Are there private rooms too, I appreciate you may have to pay but would be nice if hubby could spend more time with us. Thanks again

There is 1 proper birth pool and a couple of inflatable, however pretty sure you can’t have one at the moment...
I think there are 2 private rooms VERY small and no bathroom, and 1 with ensuite, however again not sure if they will let husbands/partners stay longer anyway. I had the ensuite one and they forgot to charge me!! They are meant to be quite pricey, if they do charge! Xx

This is interesting. I've had a baby at Wexham Park and at Stoke Mandeville, but my experience is from years ago as my DC are now grown so isn't really relevant.

However, my experience at WP was really good, fantastic staff, wonderful care and great food.

My experience at SM was understaffing, rude, bossy midwives and awful food. Couldn't get out of there fast enough.

It's interesting that SM seems to have improved and WP has got worse.