Having second thoughts about choice of hospital

[G1nger]

I would like to have an active birth in a birthing centre, if possible. I would like to be able to move around and follow my instincts rather than giving birth on a bed. I have visited the birth centre at Queen Charlotte's hospital, London, and it seems fine... although there's of course no guarantee that I'll get to use it and I might end up on the award due to a lack of availability or higher risk in my birthing process.

During my antenatal appointments, I have been a bit nervous of how things work at Queen Charlotte's, but on the other hand I hear it's one of the best places in the country to be at in case of complications with the baby itself.

I'm torn about what to do: do I listen to the advice of the horror story cases on this review site or listen to those who had positive experiences: www.nhs.uk/Services/hospitals/Services/Service/PatientFeedback/DefaultView.aspx?id=3816&nacs=RYJ04&pageno=0&sort=1&recordpp=0&tag=

How do I decide? There's still time, and I don't want to end up being treated in the same way as two of the women who reviewed their care on that nhs site...

Advice please? How are you deciding?

[Tangle]

I can see why you're concerned - the reviews aren't great, are they :(

IIRC when we were trying to decide we had three choices of hospital although there was pressure to go to the closest one as, according to our CMW, she could only offer us antenatal classes if we booked in with that one. We also had a choice of a birth centre (should have been two but one was closed for months due to staff shortages) - but it was a longer drive for us, and no closer than our house to the hospital in the event of transfer. In the end we did a bit of digging and decided that the closest hospital was the best option - it had been newly refurbished and seemed to have a good reputation. But I always had reservations about the level of care and the continuity of care that it was possible to provide in a hospital setting - so we wound up having a homebirth with Independent MWs.

How much do you know about the alternatives? Can you arrange visits for any/all of them?

I'd be guided by your instincts and whether you develop any risk factors during your pregnancy. If your pregnancy remains low risk then your baby is far more likely than not to be fine and have no need of highly specialised neonatal care - but you're definitely going to give birth. Would you be more relaxed in a hospital where you know the resources are there whatever the complication, or in a hospital where the care during labour is more consistent and of a higher standard? Are there any other alternatives that might give you the best of both worlds (homebirth out of Queen Charlotte's?)

Ultimately its a very personal decision. Only you know how you feel and what your priorities are. Good luck :)

[G1nger]

Thanks, Tangle :)