I'm due with DC3 in May, and I absolutely medically have to have a c-section (permanent transabdominal cerclage (aka TAC) means nothing bigger than a pea coming out that way!!) which means I have to face the horror of a London postnatal ward for several days yet again.
I had a horrendous postnatal experience at my local Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, and that was just with a vaginal birth although their mistakes landed me back in hospital two weeks later with a post-partum infection so I know all about their postnatal ward. Never again.
DC2 was born at Kings College via EMCS - can't fault the medical care, but was very, very unhappy on the postnatal ward.
DH has BUPA cover through work and worst case scenario we can go private at Portland or St. Mary's (anywhere else is too far or not covered by BUPA) but it will cost a lot of money to cover the shortfall for the consultant.
I'm currently booked at Queen Elizabeth for practical reasons.. so I don't have to travel miles to midwife/scan/consultant etc appointments. I have no real complaints (yet!) with the consultant care there. However I am most definitely planning on swapping out at around 34 weeks.
Essentially I'm looking for the best hospital for postnatal stay following a c-section. A private room would be perfect but there are no guarantees anywhere for that. Also some vaguely competent doctors as I'm high risk * 2 or even 3 would be useful as well..!
I'd preferably like to go to a hospital that doesn't take two hours to get to, due to necessary end-of-pregnancy appointments and having two DC to lug around and me with SPD. I'm also at risk of PTL which means I might need to get there in a hurry due to ye olde ruptured uterus fear. So that leaves these hospitals:
Queen Mary, Sidcup
Princess Royal, Orpington
Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford
Lewisham Hospital
Kings College (already done, not too happy with the postnatal care, hard to reach in traffic)
St Thomas' (might be a bit far)
Or a bit further away - will only consider if it's really worth it!
Chelsea & Westminster (had my TAC here, loved Annie Zunz ward but it's not same as postnatal)
Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel
University College Hospital
St. Mary's, Paddington
All opinions and anecdotes welcome! Thanks!!
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Childbirth
Best hospital for c-section delivery in SE London
32 replies
Sparklies · 14/11/2010 17:21
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