Hospital help! Manchester - St Mary's or Wythenshawe

[Elbs]

we have just found out we are pregnant with our first, so we are obviously completely new to the process. I didn't realise we would have to choose where to give birth and especially so soon!

I have read all of the topics possible here so far but many are old threads, are there any recent experiences of either hospital?

Thank you for any help!

Hi im currently 35 +4 weeks and under St Marys, experience so far has been excellent. I had to attend the EPU there and staff were kind, friendly and reassuring. I also went in for monitoring a few weeks ago as i had reduced movements and again i felt safe, listened too and reassured. The ward was exceptionally clean, staff were so lovely and helpful.

I feel its a good place, although yet to see how giving birth there goes.

I've also just noticed we have the option of Bolton Hospital

I went with Wythenshawe twice and had good experiences. Most appointments were at Withington hospital so much easier to get to for us.

@Elbs

I've also just noticed we have the option of Bolton Hospital

I’m with Bolton and can’t fault them - I had a MMC last March in the first week of lockdown and though processes were delayed, they were fantastic, I’m now 30 weeks pregnant and under their care again and they’ve been amazing right the way through. Think about distances though - if you have both Bolton and Wythenshaw as an option, I can’t imagine they’re both really close? Have had a lot of friends give birth at Wythenshaw, too, who would recommend it. Good luck deciding x

Personally I’ve been to St Mary’s twice and don’t like it. Far, far too busy and the postnatal ward is hell on earth!

I’m going to Warrington this time round but if you go with Bolton you have the option of Ingleside MLU which is supposed to be fantastic. The Nest MLU has just opened at Warrington so I’m happy going there but Ingleside would be my second choice.

Thank you so much for sharing! These are really helpful, we are actually equidistant between Bolton and Wythenshawe hospitals, although looking to move hopefully before this one joins us a little further south so you're right it's a good consideration.

My first two children were born elsewhere in the UK, I found my experience of maternity services in Manchester very different. Ds3 was born at home but we transferred to St Mary's afterwards as (like all my dc and myself and my brother and their dc but never mind) his temperature was a little low. I can honestly say I hated the post natal environment there and would not choose to use it if I were thinking of any more children. On the other hand, my SIL had both her babies there and speaks very highly of it indeed, so we sort of cancel one another out!

Thank you all!

I've had both of mine at Wythenshawe, and I'd go there again if I were to have a third.
Can I recommend that you ask for Dr. Church of you need to see a consultant? She is absolutely wonderful.
She has delivered both of my children...I requested her the second time after a really scary experience with my first. She is amazing, unpretentious and dedicated.

I am a FTM and under Wythenshawe. I am currently 28 weeks but they have been really good at all appointments, reassuring and helpful.

I second that, Elaine Church is the absolute best.