Kingston Hospital -- booking in

[uwila]

Is anyone currently booked into Kingston Hospital for delivery. I have a friend at work who is 10 weeks pregnant and hasn't heard a peep. She's from another country (on the continent) and really is having trouble understanding the lack of attention. So, just wondered if anyone else is booked in there, and what she should expect. What tests did you get? When did you meet the midwives? And good/bad midwives/consultant that you have encountered?

Thanks!!

[Hazellnut]

had dd there a year ago so can't say what its like at the moment but I had a booking in appointment at 14 weeks with midwife, first scan at 13 weeks. Would have thought she would have heard by now though ?!

If its same as last year standard tests were 12 week and 20 week scan, nuchal fold at 12 week scan.

I met two consultants (quite frequently unforetunately) and both were great. Miss Panter and Mr Chow (sp?) - Miss panter saw me through the stressful late stages of an IUGR pregnancy and Mr Chow was the consultant on call during my induction/c-section. Both had great people skills and did more than they had to for me (eg. they thought I might have to be moved hospitals because neonatal was full but in the end they both managed to sort it out). Saw quite a few registrars too - trying to remember names - think there was a Dr Richardson (think she was under Mr Chow) and the registrar under Miss Panter - both these were good. The registrar that saw me through the final end of my labour (and carried out the c-sec) was fantastic. Never knew her surname but first name was Meena. So many midwives commented on how neat my scar was !! Midwives generally good although I had problems with the breast feeding counsellor. The only doctor I had an issue with was the one that a) took me off blood pressure tablets too early so I had to stay in longer and b) told me I couldn 't drive for 3 months with a c-sec .

Gosh that went on a bit but I did meet a lot of doctors !! Hope your friend hears soon.

[uwila]

bump

[Cristina7]

I had DD there last March. I saw the same MW and consultant throughout and the care was absolutely great. I had a CS (diabetes and other reasons) - no complaints. DD was in SCBU for two weeks and her care was very good.

If your friend is already 10 weeks I think she'd need to phone the hospital to check when an appointment is due if she wants early screening for DS. Good luck.

[LeahE]

I had DS there last January. I went to GP at around 7 weeks, filled in forms for Kingston and got appointments back at around 9-10 weeks for a scan at 13 weeks and a booking-in appointment at 14 weeks.

I'm in Putney so on the outskirts of their catchment area and the midwives I saw in pg were different from those during delivery. All the consultants/registrars/midwives I saw were great except one registrar who got right up my nose, but she's probably moved on by now. Sadly all the names have disappeared into a blur by now, although I may have had the same registrar as Hazellnut doing my c-section.

A big plus of kingston is that you (normally, though not always) get individual rooms after delivery rather than being on a multi-bed ward. Other hospitals in the area you have to pay for that.

[uwila]

Anyone else?

[littlemonster]

I had ds there last summer. Yes waited AGES to hear re bkg in appointment. In the end I phoned and I'm afraid lied as to why I had to know right away when it would be (something convoluted to do with work business trip etc) and the lady booked it in there and then. I was very nice and grateful rather than demanding and it seemed to work...could try that!

I had a very straightforward pregnancy so didn't see any consultants but the midwives during labour and pre-delivery were great. Delivery was more complicated and I also had a fantastic registrar who delivered by ventouse and did an amazing job with the stitching. Can't remember her last name but it could have been Meena....all the midwives also commented on the great stitching and everything down there snapped back into shape immediately.

Afterwards they were ok but I think you're so hormonal and sensitive that one persons good is another persons bad. Only problem was breastfeeding support...minimal, ill informed and rushed. I gave up after a week.

Would definately go to Kingston again but do hope to breastfeed properly next time so will look into having some kind of private breastfeeding support on stand by beforehand (IF I can afford it). Kingston is a busy hospital so you don't get mollycoddled when it looks to them like everythings going to plan (sorry can't think of a better word) which could be hard for those women who are anxious during pregnancy but they do click into action when you need them.

Also, not sure what the single room situation is anymore as there was building work when I was there in the summer...best to chk this out rather than assume.

Sorry very long and only my own experience but hth.

[Hazellnut]

littlemonster - thats interesting what you say about bf support as I had assumed it must have been me as there was a counsellor so looked like they were doing the right thing. However, minimal illinformed and rushed sounds like what I had too.

I had heard they are refurbishing the maternity unit and there is a lot of building work going on at kingston so don't know if the maternity unit is going into the new bit. Hope so (providing they still do single rooms !!)

[Rhubarb]

Blimey, thought you meant Kingdom Hospital!

[cece]

interested in this thread now as think I might be there in another 35 weeks.....

delivered my others at West Mid - also fine but you had to pay for private room. So getting interested inthat aspect!

[LeahE]

What bf support I had seemed OK -- although we didn't need much as we were lucky in getting the hang of it quite easily.

The postnatal bit I was in was in a different bit from the main maternity anyway (we had an exciting bed-ride seemingly round the entire hospital).

Will need to find out about private rooms before we get round to #2, thanks for the heads-up.

[Cristina7]

I had a private room with bathrrom. One salon had 4 beds, but I think the rest were all separate rooms.

Postnatal care - as someone mentioned, might not be adequate if you need a lot of reassurance and help. I had a CS and had DH to help me for a few hours and after he left I went on my own to SCBU to see DD (I held on to my own urine bag, no shame here) but I could have probably buzzed for a wheelchair.

BF support wasn't great. I mean they were very eager to have me BF and at least half a dozen tried to help me BF my DD but she went to SCBU after 3 hours and was on a ventilator etc, so no BF. (OK after we came out, she's 1 now and still BF.) I kept asking afterwards but kept missing "the BF lady" as I was spending a lot of time in SCBU.

Georgina P on MN has just had her baby there in early January - but I think she's busy with her baby and not reading all threads.

[yomellamoHelly]

Had ds at Kingston 2 yrs ago.
They couldn't fit me in for the first scan so had to go to St Mary's, but the bkg-in app followed within 2 weeks of that. Was under impression (thanks to gp) that would continue to see this nurse throughout pregnancy so tolerated her talking at me, but never saw her again so won't put up with the speech next time.
Another scan at 20 weeks and that was all I heard.
Was admitted at 26 weeks (when I got a dvt) and that point I was told I should have had follow up appts at 18 weeks and 24 weeks, but no-one told me and no-one checked up on me to see why I hadn't been in. So your friend may need to be on the ball on that one. I'm not sure what's normal after that (since mine all went pear-shaped).
Also saw Dr Panter (on what felt like a daily basis once discharged) and she was really nice. Get the feeling they take no chances if they think you're high risk, which is reassuring.
During labour the midwifes were fab. Were really happy to follow my lead and let me do what I needed to. Had to have stitches, though, done by registrar (can't remember name) which was horrendous because the LA had no affect (nightmares for 9 months because of it). Next time I would really question the need for them and probably refuse them. Freaked dh out too coz they had to hold me down to do them and he didn't know whether he should have stopped them or not.
One thing that really got to me was after giving birth I got to my room (private but no bathroom) at 1 am having not eaten for over 12 hours. It was too late for takeaway, dh had been shown the door as soon as we left the delivery room and all they could offer me was a semi-frozen cheese sandwich and a pack of crisps. Next morning I got 1 (?!) weetabix and a slice of bread for breakfast. I was desperate for real food when I finally left a few days later.
Will say staff on wards very lax/uncaring (at both 26 weeks and 40)and leave you to fend for yourself, even if you desperately need help you have to wait (once was 2 hours - I was in a complete state). Dh got well practiced at slipping in unnoticed to look after me when he could. Felt knackered when finally brought ds home coz he screamed almost constantly as a newbie and dh kept getting stopped from taking him out of our room so I could get some rest.
Friends from my antenatal class had fairly similar experiences and those who have already had nr 2 have said that nothing's changed.

[rachp]

Kingston has a very high caesarean rate ... I had 2 cs there that when I moved my new docs said were probably completely unnecessary despite me being told it was a matter of life and death
See www.drfoster.co.uk/localServices/bg05_hospBirth.asp?hid=324
only 35% of women had an unassited birth at Kingston, with more than 26% ending up with cs. The World Health Organisation recommends no more than 10-15% are medically necessary.

Also was encouraged to bottle feed by Kingston midwives, and never saw the same midwife twice.

I'm afraid my experiences of Kingston were very bad.

[meowmix]

pretty dire in my case - i did all the ante natal stuff at Roehampton and never saw the same person twice, when I booked in I asked about a couple of things about blood tests etc and was told to see my GP because the MW was busy. At 35 weeks they suddenly said "oh your bump has measured small for a while now, maybe we should do a growth scan" which was a total shock.

At 36 weeks they did the growth scan. The radiographer noted "abnormally small" on the notes and left me with them sat in a corridor to wait for the consultant. 3 hours later when I am beyond terrified a student mw puts me in a cubicle, 2 hours later a student doctor asks 2 questions and then bolts when he sees the notes, after another 40 minutes the consultant strolls in and says I need another scan at St Georges and walks out leaving me terrified. The secretary of the department had to help me to my car as I was so upset.

Went to St Georges, was told the scan showed DS was small but fully formed due to an abnormality in the cord that should have been picked up in the first scan... and that I should have a cs - however DS decided to arrive that night. Half way through labour the Kingston consultant came into the room and shouted at me for not answering the phone or returning her call about booking a c-section.....

no bf support whatsoever and if DH hadn't brought food and toilet paper in I don't know what would have happened.

[cece]

oh dear I had heard it was really good so have choosen Kingston rather than West Mid whihc was my other option!

[mum2b1]

Does any one have any stories about Ashford and St Peters?

Thanks

[Tutter]

hi - would suggest you start a new thread with those hospitals int he title - your question may be missed (and people will be confused about you bumping uwila's old thread!)

[mum2b1]

Does any one have any stories about Ashford and St Peters?

Thanks

[Tutter]

mum2b1 - if you click on 'childbirth' as a topic, you will have the option of starting a new thread - i suggest you do this

[GloriaInEleusis]

I avoided St. Peters like the plague. Where do you live? What are your options? Are you happy with them? What kind of birth do you want?

You couldn't pay me to set foot in St. Peters. No way no how.

I went to Queen Charlotte instead and they were lovely.

[micegg]

I am 23 weeks and booked into Kingston. I got an appointment for my 12 week scan by about 6 weeks (I think I saw my GP as soon as I knew so was booked in early).I saw the MW the same day who was OK. Had another scan about 2 weeks ago. The sonographers for both scans were very nice. My only slight gripe was that the MW didnt give me any contact details at the booking in appintment which meant I had no idea how to contact someone when I had a query about chickenpox. Aside form this she also made a very odd remark about home births which doesnt affect me as I am not having one but would have been a problem if I had of been. I know quite a few people who have had babies there recently and overall had positive stories. There has been a few less pleasant stories as well but no more than else where. I had my last baby at a grubby inner london hospital so the facilities are glamarous compared to what I am used too! Again I was told a mixed bag of stories that time but ended up having a good experience myself. I guess its luck of the draw on the day. Re: Kingstons high intervention rate. I would like to know why that is. Is is possible they are a referral centre for high risk pregnancies? Not sure but someone may know.

[micegg]

Just seen the date when the OP posted this message - I shoudl hope the lady has well and truly delivered her baby by now!