Kingston Hospital - ante-natal care - experiences

[FlirtyThirty]

Hello ladies...

Well I found out yesterday that I was PG with my first child (Due 24 April). I went to GP today to let them know and had to decide there and then which hospital I wanted to have my scans at/give birth at. I opted for Kingston (over West Mid) on the basis that if I wanted a 12wk scan, I'd have had to go to Kingston anyway.

Anyway, I have already had some feedback about the hospital in response to another thread, but I'd be particularly interested to hear anyone's experiences of ante-natal care and scans...

Very exciting times...

Flirty x

[amitymama]

I had my first child at Kingston and had a pretty good experience. I saw a community midwife at my GP's surgery and had shared care with her and my GP. I had the same midwife every time so antenatal care was consistent. Both scans were done at Kingston and I had no problems.

I went with the Malden Suite which is midwife-led because I wanted access to a birth pool and was aiming for a natural birth. The room I labored and delivered in was great, very large and comfortable. I had a private room right across the hall afterwards so I was never on a ward or had to deal with other laboring mothers (aside from hearing them). The midwife I had in labour was not the one I had antenatally but she was very nice and stayed with me until the baby was born even though her shift had ended a little before that.

The only complaint I had was the postnatal care in hospital but that was mainly because they're just understaffed. I was rarely checked on in my room and wished I'd had more help and advice with breastfeeding. The midwives who came to do home visits afterwards were quite helpful, aside from one who told me to supplement with formula. Luckily I came to my senses and stopped supplmenting DD when I realised she was doing just fine on my milk alone.

Hope that helps!

[amitymama]

Oh, and congratulations!!

[FlirtyThirty]

Thanks Amity - for your experience and congrats! I'm totally shell-shocked at being PG so fast...desperately wanted a baby but imagined it would take us years! 2nd cycle and here we are...fingers-crossed all goes well as it's very early days yet.

Was amazed I had to make a call on hospital so fast - thought I would have lobger to think about it but I had to give GP an answer there and then when I went in to tell her I was PG. She clearly knew nothing about the differeneces in the local midwifery departments either... doesn't necessarily bode well...

Flirty x

[madcol]

Main reports locally seem to be that its very very busy. When I looked at it 2 years I was told that there was a strong possibility of not getting a bed on the day and having to go somewhere else. May have changed since then.

[FlirtyThirty]

Oh God...the things you never knew til you were pregnant! I cannot believe that women are turned away....

[FlirtyThirty]

Do you know if you can visit the hospital to have a look around? Who would I ask? Don't want to bother the department (which is clearly alreday busy) unecessarily...

[Wheelybug]

I had dd there 3.5 years ago and had great antenatal care. I couldn't fault it I don't think.

At my 20 week scan there was a query over her size as she was showing small but DH and I are small so they weren't sure if it was just genetics or a problem. They erred on the side of caution and I was scanned v. regularly from that point in including specialist scans carried out by consultants. NO worry was ever taken lightly or I was ever made to feel they didn't have time to explain things to me.

DD did have a problem and I had a pretty traumatic time having her as she had to be induced early, which failed. However, I believe I had the best experience I could have had and much of this I put down to the doctors at Kingston (at one point it looked like I would have to transfer hospitals as SCBU was busy but we begged to stay and 2 consultants moved heaven and earth to allow us to stay).

I know a lot of people who have had babies at Kingston (I live about 5 mins from the hospital) and I only know of one person who chose to go to Tooting the second time.

[PortAndLemon]

Had DS there in 2005 and DD this year. My antenatal care was mostly at Queen Mary's in Roehampton, though. Never had any issues with getting beds, in fact it's been quite quiet both times I've been in having babies.

They do have a video on the maternity unit (shows you what to do when yu arrive what the rooms are like, etc.) that you might be able to borrow. In 2005 their antenatal/parentcraft classes included showing video and tour of maternity unit, but don't know how that works these days.

[PortAndLemon]

(Wheelybug and I were in having our DCs at the same time in 2005, as we keep remembering on threads like this)

[luvaduck]

I work in the area and can send women to kingston, chelsea or georges. Without fail, the best reports we get are from kingston. it IS busy but the midwives seem to really care. we get a lot of negative reports about the postnatal care at chelsea (which is bad everywhere but worse there)

i would have delivered at Kington if I had the option

if you need help breastfeeding then just demand it and don't leave until you've had the help! there is also the baby cafe in richmond which is fab for breastfeeding help

here

[MadreInglese]

Ooooh one of my best friends has just accepted a midwife position at Kingston so if you get her you'll have a fab experience [mile]

[FlirtyThirty]

Ooh! How exciting! Will look outfor your friend Madre nearer the time...any clues to identity?

[PortAndLemon]

(PMSL at mental image of FlirtyThirty, in transition and high on gas and air, quizzing every passing midwife in an attempt to crack the secret of MadreInglese's friend's identity...)

[funnypeculiar]

I think I posted on your earlier thread

Scans were fine.
My negative would be that I had lots of bleeds during my pg and didn't feel I had great support. It took then until I was 34 weeks before they figured out what was causing the problem. I gave birth 2 weeks later I also encountered in the process some pretty thoughtless responses from consultants & SHOs, who just failed to empathise with the idea that bleeding in pg can be a bit scary actually. That said, all the mw I dealt with were wonderful - helpful, understanding and utterly lovely.

[FlirtyThirty]

Port and Lemon...that is exactly me! Miss Marple eat your heart out... I now have a horrible vision of this very thread coming back to me in 8 months time and being repeated to some poor midwife in a garbled, drug-induced ramble...

[penona]

I had my DTs at Kingston last year, hospital was great. Most of my ante-natal care was at QMH though,where they were also very nice. I had lots of issues in my pg and the staff at both were very attentive and caring and helpful. I was admitted for a few days during my pg when ill, and I was in for 4 days post birth (CS) and the midwives were great, we ended up with a private room (not paying, just a room on my own) which was heavenly as they took the kids for a few hours at night to let me sleep and just brought them in for feeding!!

Was v pleased with my choice. But parking for visitors is a nightmare and very expensive - use the train!!

[Wheelybug]

LOL PortandLemon !!

I would say if you have an option of antenatal care at Queen Mary's then take it (although seeing as you're nr west mid as well I guess you're not likely to) as you can park there any time of day and they charge you on the way out not on the way in.

Unless things have changed since I had dd I think private rooms are relatively standard on the post natal ward - a definite plus point.

[FlirtyThirty]

Thanks for the tip, Wheelybug. The only options I had were West Mid or Kingston though.

I knew before I went to the GP that this was the choice, so had done some research(fortunately). I didn't think for a second that I'd have to actualy decide on the spot.

I picked Kingston because (these may not be the best reasons!?):

• I like the idea of a midwife led unit and birthing pools (though I realise that I may not get either)
• I was going to have to go there anyway for my 12wk scan
• It is easier/faster for my mum and dad to get to than West Mid
• I don't really like West Mid - had bad care in their A&E department a little while ago

[PortAndLemon]

I think what Wheelybug means is that if you live in some areas while you register for Kingston, and get Kingston for the actual birth, all your appointments for scans, consultant visits, etc. will be at QMH in Roehampton. Chances are this won't apply to you but you'll know when your first appointment comes through.

Kingston has a great paediatric A&E department too (have had chance to sample it on several ccasions ). And a nice children's ward (only sampled once so far ).

[Wheelybug]

Yes - P&L was right thats what I meant. I don't have the option either but its actually easier for me to drive up to St Mary's and go there than go to Kingston which is 5 mins drive away due to the parking nightmare. That said, I can walk it in about 20 mins.

[Buff1]

When I had my DS at Kingston 2.5 years ago it was very busy (the reason also given for not being able to look round) and I didn't often see the same doctor/midwife but I think that's maybe a London thing. That being said the midwives who delivered him were fantastic and I felt really well looked after.

I had a couple of small bleeds during pregnancy and they were really good, especially in the day assessment centre. I had the added complication of being an old bag (39) and they were helpful about things such as the amnio.

Congratulations and good luck!

[littleduck]

Hi everyone

Reading this thread with huge interest - just found out I am pregnant with my first baby due 30 April. Went to see GP today who asked me during the appointment where I wanted to give birth. He offered the choice of St George's Tooting or Chelsea and Westminster, neither of which remotely appealed as I know women who have had terrible experience with staff and cleanliness (or lack of) at both.

I've heard nothing but good things about Kingston though and asked to be referred there - GP tried to steer me towards either St G or C&W reasoning it would be more difficult for me to get to Kingston which might be a pain for checkups in late pregnancy, but in all honesty it's no harder to get to Kingston from where I live than Tooting or Fulham Road. I said I'd still like to go to Kingston, so he dictated a referral letter.

He wasn't sure if I'd be accepted as they fill up very quickly but thought I stood some chance as I'm only 4 weeks and they may not have had that many referrals for my due date yet. He hopes to have confirmation in 2-3 weeks so fingers crossed!!!!

Littleduck xx

[PortAndLemon]

That was my reasoning too, littleduck.C&W or St George's are technically slightly closer, but Kingston is easier to get to (particularly in rush hour -- don't fancy trying to dash into C&W in a hurry between 8 and 10 am!).

You may find, as I did, that your postnatal care (community midwives coming out to you) is handed over to the St George's community midwives, but that works fine (well, actually this time my referral got lost in the system so I had to re-refer myself, but that wasn't a problem).

Are you in SW15? If so you may get antenatal checks in Roehampton rather than Kingston anyway.

[Skimty]

Kingston have been nothing if not thorough in their antenatal care of me in both pregancies (in fact rather too thorough in this one but that's another story)

Everyone I know has had good experiences there during labour but it IS busy. Don't rely on getting the Malden Suite. I have no idea about C&W or Tooting (although I have been to T for some echocardiograms).

The other thing I would say is the consultant clinics usually run very over and the parking is usually difficult and (like all hospitals) expensive.

HTH

[littleduck]

PortandLemon (love the name btw) - I'm in SW18 so they may refer me to Roehampton for ante-natal, no problem if so as I can get there by car very easily.

Skimty - thanks for the tips, will bear in mind if I get Kingston!