Mums in Aneurin bevan health board which birth unit have you chosen?

My choice was the grange or Hereford (live in Hereford but drs in Monmouth) I chose the grange even though it was a 35-40min drive as it was newer and we preferred it. Hereford is about a 25-30min drive I cannot fault the grange at all - they were super busy, I had the last room available when I got there. I ended up having to go onto consultant led ward due to babies hr dropping frequently and then into theatre. I was informed of everything that was going on and why I needed what I needed. The recovery rooms were great, all en-suite private rooms. All through my pregnancy I was low risk. However, something to bear in mind - I only just got there really in time (had he not got stuck!) as I was fully dilated and ready by the time I got there 🙈 he got stuck as he had been lying over on my right so not fully presented correctly even though he had been at times and I had been doing exercises to turn him. they’ve said I should potentially plan for a home birth if I go on to have more

I've picked the Grange for the exact reasons you've stated, it's that what if. YYF is so close to us like max 20 min drive and the Grange is like a 30-40 min drive but I'd really rather not be transferred should anything arise

I had a C section in the Grange and it was wonderful. Felt so well looked after!

I don’t know what it’s like in Ystrad but I’ve had two babies in the grange and I do love the fact that you have your own room. I had one for being induced and then another after having the baby. And again then after my elective c section. Knowing that you’ll have privacy was nice to know before having the baby.

I was in the exact same position. I was set on going to the grange from the beginning because I was scared and thought I’d feel more comfortable knowing if anything was to go wrong they could help. I went to an antenatal class in Ystrad and they really put me at ease. I really wanted a water birth too and it’s not always possible at the grange but ystrad is a lot quieter. I ended up going to ystrad and had the best labour, the midwives were amazing. It’s such a difficult decision to make and everyone had different experiences but I would 100% pick ystrad if I was to have another baby

I gave birth in the grange due to being consultant led but it’s absolutely amazing! Even if you did end up birthing there, midwifes were so good and you get your own room. Care is amazing and especially when I was a FTM they really helped and made sure I was reassured!

Had an emergency csection in the grange and was so well looked after for the days i spent there. Staff were incredible. X

i had a baby in the grange had a perfect pregnancy throughout had no reason to believe anything would go wrong but my boy had the cord round his neck born not breathing the doctors and nicu team saved his life! couldn’t recommend them enough amazing from start to finish

I live 10 mins from Ystrad but will also be going to the Grange. I don't actually have a choice as I'm under consultant led care but would absolutely be going there anyway as I feel like it will keep me much calmer in labour if I know I'm in the hospital which can do whatever I need, rather than being anxious about something going wrong and needing to be rushed to the Grange anyway x

I’m a first time mum and could choose between the grange and Prince Charles, I chose the grange and wasn’t disappointed!! I felt so looked after and cared for considering I was there for almost 6 days 🙈😂❤️

I opted for the alongside birth centre at the Grange, I had a normal healthy pregnancy and like you baby was in an optimal position so chose midwife care only for labour. I went into labour naturally and when we got to the Grange the water bath was available so I started a water birth. After a few hours I got an infection and had to be transferred to the labour ward and needed intervention. The care I received at the Grange was incredible and baby was born healthy and we were well taken care of after. If you choose a birth centre the midwives will still monitor you and would make sure you were transferred in plenty of time should you need intervention so no matter what you will be well looked after (don’t want to scare you). I would never thought my labour would go down the route it did after it started naturally and so well but I’m glad I was just down a corridor and didn’t need to be transferred location. Just be aware that labour rarely goes the way you plan it so be prepared.

I live two minutes from ystrad. Had my first at the grange and I’m glad I did for numerous reasons. The scariest part for me was “if anything went wrong then would need to be ambulanced to the grange”. I was midwife led with my first and they expected him to be 75th percentile. He was born the 6th percentile and needed to be resuscitated twice with the longest taking 17 minutes. Rushed to icu for brain monitoring and born with an infection etc. if I had to do an ambulance journey in these circumstances who knows what would have happened. Also the midwife led unit (ystrad) is only open 9am-4.30pm so if you go into labour outside of these times then an on call midwife opens up the ward for you. There is no option for an epidural, c section etc at ystrad so if you want a full natural birth with gas and air then ystrad is perfectly fine as an option. They do have 3 bath tubs while the grange only has one.

I’m in the exact same position as you in terms distance from those hospitals but still picked the grange, the nearer the due date I get, the more worried I get about the length of time it takes it get to the grange and it being my second pregnancy. I laboured at home mostly with my first & then was in hospital about 3 hours before baby was born so might be even quicker with second. I really want a water birth too which will be more possible is Ystrad than the Grange. No advice sorry just stuck on decision too x

Opt for the birthing centre at the grange so you get the experience of Ystrad but with the peace of mind that Drs will be close enough if needed :) I was the exact same as you in terms of being close but I didn’t want to take any risks so opted for the birthing centre at the grange. The drive is a pain but would do it 10x over for more reassurance x

I’m 5 minutes from Ystrad but I chose to go to the grange purely because of the fact that ystrad doesn’t have drs on the birth unit, whereas the grange does. If you go to ystrad and you end up bleeding out etc afterwards you’d be blue lighted to a different hospital so I chose to be at a hospital with drs instead of wasting the 20 minute journey to a different hospital. I know it’s not nice to think of the worst like that but I always plan for worst case scenario😅

The grange will be where I have my section in a few weeks, they have been amazing all the way through this pregnancy and previous! I haven't had much care from ystrad but that I have they have been mediocre at best x

Thank you all ❤️ I think I’m going to stick with my gut and stay opted for the grange 🥰