Hi All
Just wondered if any of you gave birth at The Lindo Wing, St Mary's hospital? I'm 31 weeks now so a bit of time to go yet, but I'm wondering at what point you decided to go to the hospital once your contractions started. Obviously, your room is guaranteed and they are not likely to send you away with it being private - but did you stay at home until you couldn't take the pain any longer or did you check yourself in at the first twinge of pain?

Any feedback on the Lindo (good and bad) and helpful tips too would be much appreciated as this is my first baby (due end of December)

thanks!

Hello! I had my son at the Lindo Wing this time last year! There is a number on your notes for the first floor (labour ward). Ring whenever you want and they will advise you on what to do. I rang when I started feeling contractions and they said to see how it goes .. but I ended up being induced a few days later as it didn't go anywhere despite almost constant bouncing away on my birthing ball.

Your consultant will go through all this with you closer the time. Basically, you can go in whenever you want, as you say, just see how you feel. You may want to stay home longer, you may not - you just have to go with the flow.

My experience there was great! No tips really. Everyone was fantastic, kind and very helpful.

Actually, I do have one tip .. make use of the nursery! You probably would anyway, but I just wanted my son with me the whole time, and kept him in my room. With hindsight it would have been good to let the nurses look after him one night so I could recover and get some proper sleep (I was there six nights in all.) They can bring the baby to you for breastfeeding, if you are doing that.

Good luck! It is a great start to motherhood, they really look after you.

Thanks camgirl - all helpful stuff! Which consultant were you with? I'm with Mr Teoh and he's really great - I've felt in such good hands throughout my entire pregnancy. Was your baby c-section (I'm guessing that because of your six night stay?) my baby is stubbornly breech and not budging, so I'm preparing myself for a c-section and a few more nights at the lindo than i had originally planned!

All my friends who were at the lindo have raved about the nursery too - I can imagine how hard it must be to tear yourself away from your newborn even for a night - but your advice about getting some sleep is definately right for the long nights ahead once we're home with the baby!

many thanks again, ruby shoos x

Hello - sorry haven't been on for a while.

I was with Mr Murphy, who I really liked, but I did see Mr Teoh once when Mr Murphy was on holidays. I thought he was great too.

As you guessed, I had an emergency section .. I think they knew after a few hours that I was heading that way (baby was also in a very awkward position, though not breech.)

What I appreciated was that he kept me completely aware of how things were going throughout, so I had a lot of time to prepare for this. I was quite stubborn and kept going for as long as possible - I had a 20 hour labour in the end - but that was my choice and so I felt fine about it. I could have called it a day earlier if I wanted.

Ultimately I suppose the best thing is that you never feel you are 'fighting the system' as some of my friends have done. Everyone is on your side and aiming for what is best for you and the baby, and what you want.

I hope it goes well for you! I must say, even though I had a very straightforward pregnancy, the birth itself was very difficult - yet I still actually have fond memories of the Lindo and the team who looked after us. I would go there again in a heartbeat for any future children (assuming we can still afford it!!!)

Best of luck!!!

Rubyshoos - I had 3 c-sections with mr Teoh which were very straightforward and all healed nicely. My first was breech, second not breech but i wanted a c-section and twins then breech. You are in very good hands with him. Good luck and congratulations in advance!

Hi- I've had my son there, on 2007 with Dr.Raj-Rai, and everything was good, the care during pregnancy, fab., and labour as well. It's worthing paying every penny, and as they have said before, make a good use of the nursery, the nurses there are amazing, caring, proffesional,....
It's natural wanting to be with your baby all the time, but you'll see that you'll recover sooner+better, having a decent rest from the beginning.

Good Luck!!

Anyone know how much the Lindo Wing charges now? My gynaecologist has just let me know that his prices have gone up 40% and he is charging 7k just wondered what the LIndo was now - it's a saturday so I can't call their accounts dept!!