Crewe or Macclesfield? Which hospital is best?

[dudhope]

Hi All
I've just turned 41, have just moved to Cheshire from Scotland and it turns out am about 5 weeks pregnant. Never rains etc etc.

Anyway, the new drs tell me I can choose to go to Crewe OR Macclesfield for maternity care as we live between both, and I've no idea which is better.

I'm likely to have to have a c-section like last time. Don't know if that makes a difference, but all help/recommendations gratefully received.

My first posting so please be gentle with me!

Dudhope

I've heard good things about Macclesfield, but have you been on that website that gives you the vital stats for all hospitals? I think it lists things like % CS and other interventions etc.

No, I didn't know there was one, that'd be handy if you can recall the address.

Mind you, it's personal recommendations I'm after. Stats are useful but I'd prefer to know if people have had a good/bad experience of either.

I hate being given a choice, it always makes things more complicated!

Hello, I had my DS at Macclesfield in August 2007. The Maternity unit there is fab and the midwives are lovely - I know two of my antenatal group had c-sections there, and they were fine, recovered well etc.

Also, Macclesfield has 'baby-friendly' status so they are very good with help for breastfeeding etc.

If you do decide to go for a natural birth, the MWs are big supporters of active birth/staying mobile/avoiding instrumental deliveries etc.

Oh and Congratulations! I live in Wilmslow, North-East Cheshire

i had an EMCS at Crewe, couldn't honestly recommend it - they were mad keen to give DD a bottle in recovery so not surprised they've not got baby friendly status...

Post natal care was patchy, some lovely MWs, some not so lovely, but not a lot of help on offer from most.

I had dd at Crewe (although 5 years ago).
Good and bad stuff (as with anywhere).
I was allowed to have a single room, as an 'older' mum, and as there was one available.
I stayed in for 3 days until they were happy that feeding was working properly - and they were v encouraging. Had all pain relief available (including a paracetamol???). Easy to get to traffic-wise, parking not too bad.

Hi I've moved from Cheshire to Scotland, so the other way round, but I had my DS in Crewe 6 yrs ago, my sister has had her 2 DS's in Macc, I would definatley recommend Macclesfield, she had far better treatment than me.
Good luck.

I'm with Crewe, nearly 36 weeks pregnant with my first, and they've been really good to me so far. If I call with any concerns about the baby moving they have me in for monitoring without making me feel like a paranoid first time mum.
I had to stay overnight when i had a scare a couple of months ago and they were all really nice then too.
I heard from someone else that although Crewe as a hospital generally hasnt got a great reputation, the maternity ward has an excellent reputation.

If you mean Leighton Hospital I would avoid if possible and choose Macclesfield.

I had DS at Crewe last year, no complaints at all. It was all very straightforward though and I was home within 12 hours so I don't really have much to comment on!

Just to add too that they were very encouraging with the breastfeeding.

Hi Dudhope! Congratulations! I live in Sandbach. I have had 2 babies at Leighton hospital, my first by emergency c section and the second by planned c section. The first was fab, I honestly could not have hoped for more. The second not so good, they have closed one of the maternity wards and the one that I was on was sooo busy the poor midwives were run off their feet and not able to give the level of care I'm sure they would have liked. I would just like to point out that the care that I received in the delivery suite was faultless both times, and the midwives on the suite were fabulous. Many of my friends have had babies naturally at Leighton and have been very happy with their care.
I think all you can do is have a look at the stats for both and also consider which is more practical for you to get to in a hurry!
Congratulations again and welcome to Cheshire!!!

Sorry, obviously in a hurry if you are caught by suprise!

Didn't realise there were so many of us in the Crewe area

I know giddykipper! Am quite excited!

Congratulations! I had ds2 at Macclesfield (he's almost 7) and it was fine - much better than Stepping Hill (Stockport) where I had ds1. It was clean, staff were pleasant, my care was good - I was in for 3 nights and I don't remember any horrible midwives at all.

And my dh works there and he says it's far better than Leighton (not at all biased, of course).

Wow ladies, thanks ever so much, you've been incredibly helpful.

I think on balance I'm thinking Macclesfield, my DH asked about discreetly at work and the general consensus went that way. I really appreciate your help. I'll be popping in here often assuming all goes well at my advanced age!

If anyone knows of any good places in the m6/Junc 18 area to go to meet other mums on a Friday afternoon, that'd be great.

My DD (4 yrs) leaves nursery at noon on Fridays so we're free then and she desperately needs new playmates. And I need mums to talk to/moan with!
Dudhope

had my dd at leighton and it was a nightmare...please do not go there if you have a choice.
we then moved house but whilst visiting family at 31 weeks pregnant with dc2 i started bleeding and drove as fast as i could away from the area as there was no way i was going back to leighton
dd has cerebral palsy