Anyone having dual care from 2 hospitals

[greenpixie]

Just wondering if anyone is having this and is it working out? Basically, I want to be cared for the John Radcliffe in Oxford as they are the centre of excellence and I have a potential problem as can be regarded as high risk. However I live in Reading and MW wants me to be seen in Reading in case there are problems. The JR are happy for me have dual care but it seems as though I'm putting RBH nose out of joint - MW couldn't understand why I didn't want to go to RBH. I have a long standing history from birth with the JR and they are happy to look after me, despite being 25 miles away. JR want to see me at 16 weeks but RBH at 20 weeks. I don't know what to do.

Anyone in similar situation?

I did this with 2 hospitals near me, stayed with a hospital near work as they had treated me for 2 m/c and booked in with them for the birth. I had my midwife apps locally at different hospital. It did get a bit confusing tbh and I got conflicting info about stuff - ended up transferring to the local one for everything and gave birth there. Tricky one, but I would just make it work for you as long as you need to.

I think you can double-book; at least, I did for a midwife-led unit and for a back-up, consultant-led unit elsewhere if I needed to make the change (which I did end up having to do). Can you not make your plan to give birth in Oxford, all being well and you can get there in time etc, but have Reading as a backup and have your midwife appointments there? I should think you could do both.

thanks for that. I think that is what I'll do. The MW wasn't very helpful and said that I'd have to book myself onto Oxford myself and wouldn't even write a letter to refer me - though I have spoken to them, I obviously need everything done via the book! MW thought I was mad wanting to go all the way to Oxford. What worries me is that Oxford said they'd see me at 16 weeks and I've just got my letter for Reading for constultant appt at 23 weeks. I don't think Reading are taking me seriously at all.
I am seeing GP next week and get him to refer me to Oxford. I've had bloods at Reading but that's it.

very confused and unreassured!

It is a hassel being registered under different places, my situation is not quite the same, but similar. I registered with my hometown for gp/hospital care combined, and went for my booking and dating scan (14 weeks) appointment at the local hospital. I then had to work elsewhere and had to go through the whole booking procedure again, and another dating scan 2 weeks later and then 20 week scan done. I told my local hospital that I would be back for the birth but would be getting intermediate care from the other hospital, they were fine with this.

I then had to move for work again, and so had to go through yet another "booking appointment" with a midwife, and continued with midwife care until now.

I am now 32 weeks pg and going to go back to my local hospital in two weeks time, for my 34 week check.

Just to confuse things more I have also arranged an independant midwife for homebirth, so I now have 4 sets of maternity notes for this one pregnancy!!!!!!!

I have found that just concentrating on one hospital/midwife team at a time has made things a bit easier. But having said that, I have been given so much confusing/conflicting information, that I am glad that this is my third pregnancy or I think I would be totally paranoid by now with all the conflicting information I have received.

I wish you well in your pregnancy and hope that you find your way through the maternity maze!