Lewisham or UCH - your experiences...

[tigerbear]

I've been attending all of my midwife appointments at UCH, Euston, and am due to give birth there on 12th May to DD1. However, DH and I live nowhere near there as moved house when I was approx 3 months pg. We're now based near Lewisham and had never considered going there until I had my NCT classes and the teacher said the birthing centre at Lewisham is fantastic.

Although I'd prefer to be in the birthing centre at either place, I know this obviously can't be guaranteed, and I may end up on the normal labour ward. Am mainly concerned at the travel aspect of getting to UCH (if rush hour, etc) and regarding Lewisham, I've heard that the normal labour ward isn't great.

Anyone have experiences to share - good or bad - of either Lewisham or UCH?

[VioletV]

HI Tiger,

I'm at UCH too. It's got the best maternity unit in the capital. I've no idea if Lewisham is any better (I'm moving near here in a few months)

My friend had her baby in Feb also at UCH and she wasn't impressed with her aftercare. I'm confused as I have another friend who loved UCH. I guess you're always going to get mixed reviews. How have you found UCH so far? I have had a good experience and I've been sent to the FMU, FMC and the AN unit. I'm 24+3.

HTH

[sarahmia]

I've had all my pregnancies in uch... First totally straight forward and fantastic, second and third were awful experiences but uch fmu were awesome and I'm so glad I was there. This pregnancy Is going well so far and again, the hospital has been fantastic

[tigerbear]

Thanks Violet and Sarahmia. I've found UCH fine so far, but just a bit concerned about the distance between there and home (not just for when I go in, but also for DH going back and forth, as we don't drive).
Violet - why wasn't your friend impressed with the aftercare?

Sarah - did you get a private room at UCH?

[getagoldtoof]

I work at Lewisham hospital. I enjoy my job, but working there I see behind the scenes on the wards. I would worry a bit about the way the wards are organised, mostly in terms of staff attitudes. Gosh, I sound like a right grass - and have no experience of the labour ward, but just from my experience of the other wards I would want to check this was not a problem first. Perhaps you could visit and compare the two hospitals?

I am with Kings, is that an option for you?

[tigerbear]

Getagold - very interesting. What is so bad about the other wards?

I'm going to have a look at the birthing centre at Lewisham tomorrow, and do the same at UCH.
Where is Kings? Tbh, I think I'd only consider Lewisham because it's literally 5 mins by taxi, otherwise will stick with UCH...

[LDNmummy]

My friend is at Lewisham at the mo for her ant natal screening and other appointments and she has a very good experience. I was sceptical about Lewisham but moved before I registered anywhere so didn't matter anyway. But after seeing how easy it has been for her, I would say it is not a bad choice. Maybe go have a tour and see how it goes. Good luck!

[Limelight]

I had both of mine at Lewisham in the normal delivery ward. DS was a really positive experience. DD less so unfortunately. We were due to have DD at the new birthing centre so did the tour and it looks fab! I also know two or three people who gave birth there and were very happy. My experience with DD has marred my feelings about Lewisham but it was largely down to being induced and issues around that. Also post-natal ward is awful but if you're at the birth centre you can avoid that all together.

[getagoldtoof]

Well I hear that the birthing unit is fab, and it's so new it'll be full of all the mod-cons. I work with older patients in the hospital who I'd say can get quite a bad deal. The staff can be quite abrupt, don't fill paperwork properly and aren't always the cleanest, and also the hospital has been at it's complete busiest in the last few months which has put a massive strain on resources. Mind you, that is winter pressures, so again mostly affects older patients.

Kings is in camberwell, I love it there, but I'm biased as I've been going there since I was a child!

[tigerbear]

I went for the tour round the labour ward and the birthing centre yesterday, and have to say I was very pleasantly surprised. The birthing centre looks AMAZING, like a five star hotel! Polished wood floors, big double bed, nice little wooden cribs, etc. I know nothing on earth will make a difference or help in the throes of intense labour, but these elements made it feel more homely and less clinical, iyswim. I'm classed as low risk, and fingers crossed, if everything remains ok, then I'm going to transfer from UCH to there.

[sarahmia]

tiger yes i had a private room..

[tigerbear]

Re the private rooms - was most impressed that they're only £35 a night if you request one, compared to £200 a night at UCH!!!!,

[NatzCNL]

Hi Tiger,
My SIL had her son there last year and the care she got was excellent. She ended up with an Em-C-Section. We were able to wait in the labour ward waiting area for the duration of her labour and the eventual C-section, popped in a few times to see her during labour, and the staff were very kind and curtious. Unfortunately like all NHS wards, the post-natal ward was not so great, low staffing levels during the night etc, but over all she has so much praise for Lewisham. Her son has had lots of feeding problems since birth and has had to regularly attend Lewisham to see paediatricians and dieticians.
It may be worth booking a private room as the wards get quite noisy during visiting times, one of my SIL biggest complaints. And cant pick your bed neighbour. SIL had an awful woman next to her, truely disgusting attitude and language. We cheered when they discharged her, but felt so sorry for her baby!
Should your baby need it, Lewisham has one of the best NICU units in London, but I hope this is something you will never need.
I have no experience of UCH so cant comment.
Good luck with the impending birth x

[tigerbear]

Thanks Natz. I think I'll def book a private room if I end up on the normal labour ward. In the birthing centre you just stay in the room you give birth in (however they did say if everything goes well that you can leave just 2-6 hours after the birth! I was a bit

[pudding25]

Had DD at UCH almost 3 yrs ago in the old building and they were fantastic. Most of my friends have had their kids there too and all have been pleased. I am now 10 wks pregnant and again going to UCH as I think it is the best in London. My only concern is that we are in North London and don't fancy doing the trip in labour in rush hr! I was induced last time so didn't have to worry about that.