Cheltenham or Gloucester maternity?

[katzen]

Hi

Just wondering if anyone can recommend which is the better maternity unit in their opinion... Cheltenham or Gloucester?

I've had both my DD's at Cheltenham, 7 and 4 years ago, DD1 was induced, then on SCBU for 3 days, DD2 emergency C section.

After January Cheltenham will become a midwife lead unit, so no epidurals or sections.

I received good care both times.

I'm not in a position to compare, but I had a good experience at Cheltenham 2.5 years ago, and will be going back in 3 months for the next one! I had great delivery midwives, the breastfeeding support was very good. The food is grim though. If I lived closer I'd consider the midwife unit at Stroud - is meant to be excellent.

Had an elective section and Cheltenhan and they were lovely - was a perfect birth! Down on the ward, not so good as food was terrible, it was far too hot and at night they kind of left you to it which was very difficult after a section. A trainee midwife was only one I could get to talk to about problems with bfeeding. They seemed to get her to do everything she was rushed off her feet! However, think that is common to everywhere and the midwives did seem better when my Sis was in last month. From what I've heard Gloucester is not as nice on the ward but if your baby ends up in special care you get a room with them whereas in Cheltenham they are taken away upstairs. My sister's baby had problems at birth so they transferred him to Bristol in case he needed an opp. It turned out he didn't and the treatment he had could have been carried out in Gloucs. If she had him in Gloucs there would have been no moving but if there is anything they can't deal with in Chelt then think Bristol is the preferred transfer option as there are few ambulances and they can do everything there. In saying that I think am going to have my 2nd by section in Chelt as it is very near for DH and DS to visit.

Yes forgot, the food in Cheltenham is dire, used to get DH to bring in my food.

Jumping on old thread here just wondering if anyone had experience of either recently?
Cheltenham being midwife led sounds great but worried about transfer times and lack of facilities for epidural!
Any local experience or experience of midwife led units in general ? Xx