Changing hospitals
Have a bit of dilemma at the moment whether to change to a hospital which outstanding cqc but is 40/50 minute drive away or an hospital ok but has a ‘needs improvement’ cqc five minutes away.
Currently at hospital 5 mins away had to really fight to get any connected care between pre-existing health conditions and pregnancy but seem to be a lot better now. I think my partner want to stay local too as care is much better now. Think other hospital will be better at dealing with complex cases and pre-existing health conditions but worried about the distance
I’m hoping to have a C-section as I’m struggling with a lot of anxiety about natural birth and existing conditions so more reassured about the birth. Been going to so many appointments will if be a nightmare being further away feeling really overwhelmed at the moment about what to do.
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Better to transfer sooner rather than later I'd say, some hospitals won't accept after a certain gestation. Just have to factor in the journey to the hospital into all plans/eventualities
All I can say is go with your gut, but if you’ve already had to fight for connected care, communication could deteriorate again down the line.. so I’d possibly factor that into a decision. If you feel that you would get better care more suited to you and your needs, then the extra travel might not be too much of an issue in the long run either..
If you're planning on a c section you will hopefully have time to plan for the journey. The nearest hospital to me is an hour away, so we don't have a choice anyway, but I've reassured myself that plenty of people do the same journey and have been ok!
I have certain memories not too good experience with the hospital close to me during my previous pregnancies which led to miscarriage hence i don’t mind travelling 1hr to an hospital where i feel safe.
Go to the better hospital. If you’re having a planned c-section all the more reason to as you’ll know the date and time so travel won’t be an issue. Your midwife appointments will still be local to you anyway so that makes no difference to you. I’m actually also choosing to give birth at a hospital 1 hr away rather than the one 15 mins away because it’s a better hospital and I also work for the trust so I know first hand it’s the better of the 2.
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