Royal London Experiences

[Applesauce29]

I'm currently booked for Royal London. Only 14 weeks, so yet to do a tour (as can't get out of work early enough). Wld love it if people could share their experience of their birth at RL, or if you've done a tour of the hospital unit.

[Mitchell2]

I have not given birth yet (20 weeks) but did a tour of the unit a few weeks ago. It's in the brand new building, the facilities are all shiny and new and modern but its really hard to say anything more as it's not the building that delivers your baby in the end.

The labour ward is currently all on one floor with one end being more a MLU and the other end consultant (with theater for CS also at that end). There is on room I think with a perm birth pool but I do believe they have about 10 others for use on the suite. Availability of pain relief seems standard as to other hospitals.

There are also two rooms for people who come in and are in early labour to stay in if going home in rush hour to wait it out isn't an option.

I do know that they have Amenity Rooms you can pre reserve (no guarantee tho) for £90 which are single rooms that your partner can also sleep in (I think they have a reclining chair or something).

The person who did the tour was community midwife not one of the ones on the ward, but everyone seemed nice, calm etc.

[Applesauce29]

Thank you for your reply. I'm glad to hear the have lots of pools, as I'm quite keen on a water birth as long as I can stand the pain. Going to try and do the tour within the next few weeks.

It's hard not knowing what the midwives will be like. I'm on the Isle of Dogs, so being seen by midwives who are associated with the local birth centre (Riverside team), so no chance I'll recognise anyone when I'm actually there, but that said its a busy ward, so still unlikely!

Do you know how soon in advance they take bookings for rooms?

[Mitchell2]

I think you can do the rooms quite early... They didn't give specifics.

I'm waiting to have a look at the barkentine before I decide as I have heard better things, but I know they don't confirm until 36 weeks and your low risk etc.

[silverine]

I'm 31 weeks and struggling to decide between the Royal London or the Barkantine.
Have had a visit to the Barkantine and it looks really lovely as an environment but the midwives are a but too 'zen' to my liking... and I'm quite nervous about things going wrong (first baby and several miscarriages prior, so it's been an anxious journey...) The downside of the hospital in my mind is that you wouldn't get as much personal attention....
Anyone had recent experiences at the Royal London? What are the staff and facilities like?
Many thanks!

[silverine]

Anyone?

[RockCrushesLizard]

I didn't labour there, but several of my friends have been there.
Go with the Barkantine. No question.

The Royal London is a very busy city hospital, with all the difficulties that brings, particularly as regards to pushing women to labour in particular ways, and very basic postnatal care.

Whereas the Barkantine is all about achieving the birth you want.

[silverine]

Thanks for the advice rock

[Applesauce29]

I had good postnatal care at RL but was left alone for most of labour and given inadequate pain relief (no epidural when I wanted it). Very busy hospital, but most are in London.

[silverine]

Hi apple, so you did choose the RL for your labour? Was the midwife not checking on you regularly? That's one of the things I'm afraid of. Do you know their midwife to birth ratio? DH says, surely I'll be able to get her to come in if needed, but if they're nowhere to be seen anyway...

[Applesauce29]

Hi, I chose RL because I wanted the choice of epidural. They only check on you every 4 hours, you can call them in between but they're usually working with a few mothers at a time. Mine was on lunch when I really needed her and DH could only find a student who couldn't really do anything. I was put off the Barkentine because of risk of transfer if things were to get difficult. If you want to hear more birth stories if recommend going to an NCT bumps and babies coffee afternoon - you'll get lots of different stories about local hospitals. Most women attending the Canary Wharf ones have given birth in St Thomas' or RL or Barkentine.

[silverine]

apple that sounds terrible - every 4 hours! what if you have a quick labour? I was told at the Barkantine the midwife checks on you every 10 mins. And they are meant to be with you all the time during the active pushing stage - whether mlu or hospital. Surely she couldn't just sod off to lunch and leave you with noone to cover.. the possibility of something going wrong at the Barkantine and having to transfer does indeed worry me, but if there will be noone around in the hospital, I might as well give birth at home on my own!
Did you have any complications at all? Hope you and your LO are doing well. Thanks for the nct tip, will check them out. Do you go to any mummy and baby events?