Post Delivery Care In John Radcliffe

[jack5425]

Hi everyone, first post here and looking for anyone that has recent experience giving birth in John Radcliffe (JR) Oxford. Its our first birth and understandably, we're a little anxious. We did some research and found https://www.cqc.org.uk/location/RTH08, which basically says that JR isn't bad but isn't great either. We're looking to get a C section as well.

We would really appreciate it if anyone could share their birth journeys they had at JR (both the good and the bad), so we know what we're walking into.
One specific question I have is, am I allowed to stay with my wife in the hospital overnight post birth? It would break my heart to leave her alone, even if its just one night after she has gone through delivering a baby...

TIA!

Hi @jack5425 has your wife had baby yet? We’re you able to stay overnight?

We are also having a c section, and I’m going to ask about going to Warwick instead of JR.

Hi @MollyMarples , not yet, she's only 13 weeks along ATM. Is there a reason you're going for Warwick instead of JR?

It fine on your own for a night with a baby in hospital the midwives look after you. I had my first pre covid when there were visitors most of the time and during covid no visitors unless in for a few days. It was so much better with no visitors. It ok being post birth with your own man, it’s horrible with lots of strange men.
I wasn’t in the JR.

Hi @jack5425,
I've had one in the JR and will be having my next one there too. Speaking practically, particularly if you're after the c section, your options are quite limited in Oxfordshire unless you want to go private.

I was Spires not delivery suite so was able to have hubby there from start til discharge the next morning, despite Covid law. However, from subsequent friends experiences in delivery suite, partners aren't accommodated overnight.
As PP said, I think consensus is that a lot of women and midwives find it preferable to not be tripping over stray blokes whilst intimate medical things might be going on/they feel really bloody vulnerable/some awful bullying breastfeeding consultant has turned up and is treating them like a belligerent dairy cow.

Some male friends went home, grateful to collapse for a few hours, some slept in cars (only to whinge about parking costs later), some had to get back as have dogs or other children to manage.

Personally have only ever been delighted with care at JR, hence they're my plan A for baby II. Same plan, I believe, for a couple of friends who had more complicated births and are aiming for planned sections or consultant led care.

Hope that helps, good luck :-)