Homerton vs UCH vs Whittington

[BumblBeee]

Has anyone had any recent birth experiences here?

Had DD at Homerton and feel kind of lukewarm about it.

Wondering if anywhere else might be more uplifting?

Any comments gratefully received.

xx

[BumblBeee]

I don't think they will let me in - I am a VBAC? Will look into it anyway.

Thanks v much xxxxx

[BumblBeee]

What is hcps?

[MrsMattie]

I've also heard good things about Edgware - if you are looking for a 'natural' drug free birth.

I gave birth to my DD at UCH in November and cannot speak highly enough of them.

[MrsMattie]

Oh, and have heard good things about Whittington. Homerton - haven't given birth there, but was on a gynae ward there and it was hellishly filthy - really, really disgusting.

[becktay]

i'm getting a lot of support for vbac at whittington after emergency c sec 3 years ago - highly recommend them anyway as have always felt well cared for there.

[Lulubee]

I had my DS at the Whittington and the birth itself was great - lovely midwifes, felt very safe. Afterwards, couldn't wait to get out - staff seemed uncaring and rushed, the ward was old and crammed to the rafters with new mums and babies so the noise level was unbelievable, and I had a Holloway inmate chained to the bed opposite me complete with scary prison warder! Still, this was 5 years ago and they were due a re-furb so lots could have changed!

[BumblBeee]

Ah right. thanks StarlightMcKenzie.

Had emergency C-Section at Homerton Sept. 2006 and although the doctors were good, the mw and other support staff were indifferent and sparse.

The mws put the drip in my hand incorrectly. No one changed my urine bag or sheets very quickly afterward. No breastfeeding support.

The recovery ward was kind of dirty and crowded also, particularly the toilets.

[spicemonster]

My friend had a baby at the Homerton and she had such a terrible time she almost didn't have another baby.

Heard nothing but good about UCH but mixed bag on Whittington - similar to what Lulubee said

[BumblBeee]

Edgware BC site says it only accepts low risk people.

Lulubeee:

"a Holloway inmate chained to the bed opposite me complete with scary prison warder" OMG!

Can you imagine having to wear handcuffs when you hold your new baby! And poor baby! And poor you also!

[BumblBeee]

becktay what kind of support are you getting with VBAC? Meetings? Advice?

Just curious as not getting anything from Homerton. I have 1 more OB appointment but nothing special.

I am 30 weeks now.

[BumblBeee]

Has anyone been able to view the labour areas beforehand at these hospitals? UCH said I couldn't because of infection risk, Whittington says you can on its website.

[MrsMattie]

BumbleBee - UCH moved to a new building in November. Havent seen the new birthing centre, but the 'bog standard' labour rooms are great - better than any non-private labour room you'll find in London I reckon. They're spacious, clean, got big reclining chairs for partners and birthing balls etc for you, plus en suite bathrooms. I felt quite spoiled!

[VersdeSociete]

I has scary support staff at Homerton in 2006 and a more hellish recent experience of a non-childbirth variety. Would cross town to avoid it personally

[thegreatescape]

Hi

I work at the whittington and had my baby there. I found the support very good and wasn't left alone (although I was a tricky customer so maybe why). The rooms are quite big at the whittington so good if you are claustrophobic and/or want to move around a lot. UCH is cleaner/newer but apparently the rooms are smaller. The ward at the whitt was a bit grotty but they are refurbishing - not sure if they've done this ward yet.

Got a friend who works at the birthing centre and supposed to be fab - sadly I wasn't a candidate. You can go and look around the hospitals and you might get a feel for what you prefer.

Good luck!

[BumblBeee]

Went to both UCH and Whittington on Sat.

They both seemed very clean and well-equipped and got a friendly response from both until I said I had had a Caesarean and then they said I couldn't use any of the nice facilities.

It is like being punished for something - "all you bad C-Section people go to the little dark room in the basement and hook yourself up to a machine etc."

The UCH midwife gave me the number for the head midwife there. She said they used to offer more VBAC in the birth centre but they are not allowing it now because the BC is on a different floor to the operating theatre. She thought it worth getting my previous labour notes from Homerton for them to review in case it might open up some options there for me. She was completely against waterbirth.

The Whittington midwife said I might be able to use water in early labour but that she would want me on the monitoring machine afterwards. Would like to speak to someone more senior there but have no contact.

Wondering who Becktay might be speaking with?

[BumblBeee]

VersdeSociete

Yes, I know what you mean. Whitt and UCH seemed about 100 times cleaner than Homerton. Maybe they do extra cleaning on Sat. don't know but you could eat dinner off the floor.

So not going to Homerton now.

Hospital or Home is the choice I guess.

[MrsMattie]

BumblBee - I wanted a VBAC and was booked in at UCH. I saw two snotty registrars who wouldnt agree to my wishes ( no CFM, complete mobility, use of water etc). Eventually I saw a consultant who was lovely (wish I could remember her name for you! Argh!) and agreed to all of it and signed it off on my notes. I had gone in armed with wads of research and an attitude and I think she just thought 'feck it, let her do what she wants'. In the end I had complications with my pregnancy which led to a c-section, but you certainly can get the birth you want in an NHS hospital - you will have to fight for it, though.

[BumblBeee]

Interesting - what year was this?

If there is a genuine complication then I can accept a medical procedure but they just want to force you into it it seems.

[MrsMattie]

Nov 2008. I no longer have my notes, so don't have her name. She was late 30s, very nice and sympathetic. Wonder if my DH will remember...will ask him when he calls later.

They tell you you 'cant' do this or that, but you'd be surprised at how flexible they can be when you dig your heels in. Are you feisty? If not, bring your DH along or get a doula.

[BumblBeee]

Ha! DH is extremely shy!

Am speaking with someone at UCH at the moment. Not sure what will happen.

Trying to find someone similar at Whittington to speak with.

[BumblBeee]

Thanks for your message meant to say! And congratulations too! xx

[bundle]

bumblebee i had both my dd's at teh whit

spoke to a gynae today (unrelated, work matter) and she laughed when I said some women on here chose Royal Free (where she also works) or UCH over the Whit for obstetric care