What is Harrogate like?

[enners]

Hi,

I've just moved to the area and with only 5 weeks left to go until my 2nd baby is due I didn't have time to deliberate over hospitals so just went with Harrogate. However, I am now feeling quite nervous as I don't really know anything about it. Would really appreciate some info and advice from other mums who have given birth there.

[Jess&Frank]

My sister in law had both her boys there and thought it was great. I think you can pay to have a private room. They have a very good reputation.

All the best of luck with your birth and welcome to Wharfedale.

Jess

[tinkertoes]

We were at Harrogate and it is great - you have no worries. The staff are very friendly and think generally they have a very good reputation for care - certainly amongst the mums that I know that went there. I spent about 10 days there before having Jacob by c section and they took good care of me. Even the food is good. Only think I would recommend, if you can is the private room afterwards if you need to stay in at all... but think that's probably the same in most places - maternity wards aren't the best place for a good nights sleep!

Good luck with the next few weeks. xx

[Hol]

I was originally booked into Harrogate. Their antenatal classes were very good (early 2009) but when we took a tour of the labour ward I immediately changed my mind and we booked a home birth instead.

There isn't enough space in the rooms to have much of an active birth, but they are quite warm-feeling and have small shower rooms attached.

I hear some pretty disturbing things from time to time about their attitude to continuity of care and dismissing of maternal concerns about MWs with a bad attitude, so if you're interested in maximising your chances of a normal birth I would have a rethink, personally.

[sarahevie]

I had both my girls at Harrogate and was very pleased with it. First born Oct 08, Second July 10.

My midwives weren't based at Harrogate, as I am Guiseley based so I had the local midwives based in Yeadon.

I also disagree about there not being room for an active labour, my contractions stopped halfway through with my first born and they had me doing everything on the birthing ball to restart them. In the end they sent us for a walk into Harrogate town centre.

My youngest had congenital problems diagnosed in pregnancy so I nearly had to have her at LGI, but as it was only really a C section I may need, they kept me at Harrogate she was born in the entrance to the hospital and they dealt with the 'trauma' admirably.

my only complaint is that there was little support for breast feeding, to say they have won awards for this. I was shown how to latch on once, and subsequently developed feeding problems which meant I expressed for 6 weeks whilst I recovered. I breastfed My first born for 15 months so there were no lasting problems.

With my second daughter they didn't check on me much, assuming I had done it before, although that was fine. We were fine although breastfeeding tips wouldn't have gone astray it really is so much easier second time round.