Birth options

Hi everyone 👋 any advice on choosing between Jessops and Chesterfield? I'm not from Sheffield so struggling to feel settled on a decision. Thanks! 💕

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I had a really good experience at jessop wing in ‘23 however if you’re planning to breastfeed Chesterfield have launched new midwife led infant feeding support scheme with support to get tongue ties cut.

Personally I’d choose whichever hospital is closest, you’ll hear horror stories about every maternity hospital in the UK

Can't comment on chesterfield. But I've had 2 babies at Jessops in 2018 and 2022. First baby was a specialist midwife she was excellent calming me as I was hysterical 🤣 second baby id already given birth in the ambulance (male paramedic incredible!), midwives jumped straight on soon as I arrived to cut cord and take me to my own room first before postnatal ward. Postnatal ward really good care, even when it was jubilee weekend in 2022 and low on staff they still did lots of checks for feeding and baby as I'd expect. All staff I came across were friendly, professional and caring. I agree with Amy you'll hear bad stories about every maternity hospital, so closest location is often best.

I had my baby at Chesterfield last year via C-section. Check ups prior were great lots of care, friendly staff. Midwives on the ward were lovely. I needed a bit of extra recovery so was out in the birthing suite after so my partner could help me with a shower etc. lots of support on ward. I heard partners can't stay overnight at jessops if that's still true but mine did at Chesterfield if that is part of your decision

Perhaps visiting both hospitals could help you make a decision? I visited the midwife-led unit during antenatal classes at Jessop, and it certainly made me feel more comfortable knowing what to expect!!

I had very good experience at the royal in chesterfield plus birth partner can stay overnight with you while you’re in! Also I know it sounds silly but much easier to park and get to for us - not our only decider obviously but doesn’t harm!

I had my baby at chesterfield he was on the neonatal unit as was born at 31+4 in January and I can honestly they was amazing so helpful made my birth super relaxing and claiming considering I went into labour so early
Honestly the best care I have ever received at a hospital

Thanks everyone! Really useful, particularly the stuff about partners being able to stay at Chesterfield. I haven't contacted Jessops about a visit yet but Chesterfield only offer the virtual tour online 😫

Jessop do have rooms that you can pay approx £130 to stay in overnight as a family. First come first served and etc.

Is it still accurate? I’ve heard the private rooms are only if you have complications during/after birth.

I had amazing care with chesterfield ☺️

Partners at chesterfield can stay 24/7 and come and go as they please, best part about it, and the midwives are incredible x

are you in a ward with others at this time?

until you’ve given birth you’re on your own, then once you’ve given birth you have maybe 6 ish hours downstairs and then you go up onto the ward! Some rooms have 4 people others have 6 but they aren’t as bad as you think! And you genuinely do only wake up to your own baby crying! My first I stayed for a week in, and second for 3 days, both tolerable and you so sleep, if you happen to have someone inconsiderate just tell a mid wife/nurse and they tell them to shut up because odds are they’re doing there head in too😂

assuming they’re first come first serve/available only if available at the time? I’d definitely pay

yes I believe so!

Thanks ladies! Didn't expect so many responses 🥰

in our community

Is it bad of me to think this or no?

My husband has been abroad for work (1 day and exploring for 1 day) for 2 and a half days which means I’ve had both kids (1 year and 4 year old) for 2 and a half days plus cooking, cleaning, taking them to clubs, bedtimes!
He came home late afternoon and said I’m so tired, I just need to chill. I said can you wash up whilst I sort kids dinner out, he said he’ll do it later which means he won’t do it and I’ll end up doing it so I said no do it now please otherwise I’ll end up doing it and he said well you have been home and I’ve been away so you’ve just been relaxing.
Don’t know what planet he is on but having the kids alone for 2.5 days is not relaxing. I was stressed!

When he was away, I did miss him and wanted him to come back but now he’s back, I want him to go away again😂
Is that bad?

Post partum dad

I have a 2 month old. A few weeks ago my husband crashed out because he didn't feel like he was getting to bond with her. I started exclusively breastfeeding around that time and honestly didnt see the big deal. Baby and I left for a few days and when we got back home, everything was fine. He was extremely hands-on. He helped with my meals, her bedtime, bath, stories.....for a few weeks it was great. Then he randomly sounds depressed af. He says our lo is better off without him, he wants to sleep all day , he asks me not to watch tv then tried playing a video game. He refused to reply to me when i asked any follow-up questions. Then he woke up our baby trying to race me to the bathroom first thing in the morning . He's doing a weird mix of crying, trying, and giving up. Im starting to feel like I cant handle him not being able to handle life with baby and just want to be alone. Are there resources for men?

My 2 year old won’t eat nothing but snacks

Is this normal ? He won’t even try anything I eat .. he really only like pizza fries and spaghetti… nuggets and snacks bananas some other fruit but like anything else he won’t eat if try but I don’t want to force him I’m just I feel like bad I mean he isn’t losing weight I breastfeed mostly still

Really bothered by this

A friend posted this and it really bothers me because that is exactly how she parents her kid, and it's rather unfortunate because when our kids hang out together, her kid has a meltdown at least 5x within an hour. We have know them for years and it's only gotten worse. My kids will concede to hers, because they don't want to see their friend crying, but it sucks because they give up so much of their toys and enjoyment to keep the peace. We aren't hanging out as much anymore but it's rather sad to think she doesn't intervene more in her child tantrums and just let's it slide

Shift worker daddies - advice please?

My husband works shifts (6am-6pm days or 6pm-6am nights) so when he’s on shift we either get about an hour or 2 before he goes to work or an hour or 2 when we gets home with him.

I don’t think people who aren’t married/have babies with shift workers fully understand the impact of feeling like a solo parent sometimes.

Does anyone have any advice? I do have parents who can help but I struggle to leave my baby with others as I always feel like they don’t understand the need for tracking wake windows or feeds and our baby will not sleep unless we black out a room or go for a car drive . Everyone seems to think ‘if he’s tired he’ll drop off’ - no he’ll just get overtired and have to then pay for it during his night sleep. So I feel like it’s just easier for me to do it all myself.

When my husbands off work he is great but I do take the mental load of telling him what to do or even reminding him of wake windows etc because he’s not here and forgets routines. He’s also being tested for ADHD currently so there’s that on top of shift work.

Just looking for advice on how to stay sane/keep routines or share loads with shifts workers?

Thank you ❤️

Feeding

My son is coming up to five months and I just started giving him oatmeal and rice cereal. When can you start trying veggies or fruits? I only give him the oatmeal or rice cereal once a day right now which is what the paediatrician had said to do. I’m just curious to when anybody tried anything else with their kids cause my son eats a lot of formula and he’s VERY curious when I eat.