Northampton Hospital/Barratt Birth Centre 🏥

Hey I gave natural birth 10 years ago and had a c section last may and both times I was looked after well in NGH xx

On arrival I had to wait a while to be examined. They were really kind enough to give me the pool for my birth (requested). Unfortunately the midwife barely communicated with me through labour. Ended up with 4th degree tear. Aftercare was great though. Very thorough.

I had a great birthing experience at the Barratt birth centre. Started off in the labour ward and was concerned I wouldn’t get to the birthing centre for the water birth I wanted, after a little wait while they sorted opening and midwives (was very early morning) I was escorted up to Room 1. Was a fab and rather large private room with music, mood lighting, a birthing pool, bed, sofa kitchenette and en suite with shower. Felt totally supported the whole time by my midwife Kim & a student midwife Patricia and as a rather nervous first time Mum could not recommend enough. Great care during and after birth with the added bonus that my partner & I got to spend the day in our room with our little boy to bond.

I gave birth in the birthing centre in November. There was a shift change partway through my labour so I had 4 midwives (2 trainees and 2 fully qualified). All 4 were lovely! They chatted to me while I paced around and regularly made me (and hubby) cups of tea 😂 They also filled up the birthing pool (which does take a while) and didn't moan once when I decided I didn't want to use it for very long! There were a few complications (with me and baby) and they kept myself and my husband well informed so we knew what was going on at all times 🙂 I ended up staying in hospital for 5 days and everyone I came into contact with was really nice and very supportive! I had a few issues with the triage service while I was pregnant but could not fault the maternity ward in the slightest!

I gave birth at Northampton General on the labour ward in November and had a really positive experience! I had 4 shift changes of midwife’s as I had quite a long labour but every midwife I had was amazing! I had a trainee midwife called Molly who helped deliver my baby girl and she was amazing - so so kind and helpful! I couldn’t use the birth centre sadly as it was full when I first got to the hospital and then by the time it became available I wasn’t allowed to transfer as my babies heart rate was too high so I was being monitored and had moved from a low risk to a high risk pregnancy. I stayed the night in hospital after she was born and all the midwife’s were so kind and helpful. I will definitely be having my second baby there x

I wanted to give birth in birth center in May, we got up there and the water was not hot enough. Luckily the room with pool on the ward was free, went there. I had the most amazing midwife, she knew what I wanted without me even saying, couldn't wish for anyone better. I then had major bleeding and the response was amazing, doctors were very friendly, talked me through everything, aftercare was brilliant.... Couldn't say a bad word

I had my son in MK in January 2022 and my daughter in Northampton on the labour ward in August 2023. I found the experience much better in Northampton especially the communication at each step and really thorough when I’ve gone to children’s A&E and PAU, compared to MK. Parking at Northampton is challenging though and the delivery rooms are smaller and older. I was too high risk to see the Barratt centre but it looks great but overall I was happy I swapped hospitals.

Hi Abi, I had my baby in July at Northampton and I had a brilliant experience. I was really hoping to use the Barratt Centre but because my waters had broken over 24 hours previous I had to remain on the ward and at this point I felt a little sad that I couldn’t use the Centre but honestly, after seeing both of them the only real difference is you get a double bed and your own kettle haha (unless you want a pool birth). On reflection it didn’t matter what hospital room I gave birth in as when you’re in that much pain you don’t really notice the walls haha and you can make it as relaxing as you like with battery candles etc wherever you are. There is a room on the labour ward that has yoga balls and a bath to relax in (but not to give birth in). The staff were so lovely ☺️ I had to have surgery after birth and felt like I was in really capable hands. I was glad to be on the ward in the end to get all the pain relief that I wanted. Good luck!

I used the birthing centre and gave birth in the pool, I couldn’t of had a better experience the midwives were amazing and it felt very different from the triage/labour ward obviously much more calmer. Definitely recommend if you can use this, if not there is a room on the Labour ward with a pool if that’s something you wanted x

Thanks everyone!! I’m in between both MK and Northampton so I’m still deciding where will be best for me xx

I wanted to go to the barratt birth centre but due to so many other women going into labour the same day as me (there was a full moon, apparently this is a thing!) it was closed due to all staff being on labour ward. I was on labour ward from the Saturday evening until I ended up having an emergency c section on the Sunday afternoon. I was left without being told anything for quite a while when we got there but the midwife I had eventually was absolutely amazing and the rest of the staff that were around during my c section were lovely

Also just wanted to add that the staff on the recovery ward after I had my c section were absolutely amazing, couldn’t fault them at all!

Surgical team for c section were amazing at NGH but after care on Robert Watson ward was awful, would not recommend it. X

I wish I had gone with Northampton I gave birth at Kettering and it was the worst experience of my life. Both birth and especially aftercare was horrendous