Homerton Hospital - Where do you park when in labour?

[Mikocat]

I'm due to give birth in a couple of weeks at Homerton, having transferred from a hospital up north. The thing that is really worrying me at the moment (displacement activity maybe) is where on earth we are going to park as during the week parking seems to be limited to an hour. Does anyone have any experience or advice on where you can park for a longer stay?

[MissBetsyTrotwood]

I think there is one you can leave your car all day at on Brooksby's Walk (the road that turns into Chatsworth Road) but it's an unofficial one, iykwim. I had my babies at the Homerton and we just parked outside and paid but they did come at night and it was quite a few years ago.

You can park just off Homerton High Street on Ashenden Road or Roding Road but it's a 10 minute walk to the hospital. Do you have any ante natal stuff booked, like a tour of the unit?

Or do as my friends did and either walk or get a cab!

They are fab there. One of mine had loads of complications at birth and they saved his life. You are in excellent hands.

[threeleftfeet]

I think you don't basically! I got a cab in, and my dad drove us home.

Parking at Homerton is a nightmare at the best of times, let alone when you're in labour and you don't want your DP to drive round for ages while looking for a parking space while you're in the car, you might not want to be just dropped off while your DP disappears trying to find one either!

Once you've had the baby, partners get sent home at night if you stay a day in the ward, so there may well be a good chance to go home and get the car later anyway.

Have you got far to go to the hospital?

Or, could you have a friend on standby to drive you home just in case you don't have to stay overnight? (Don''t forget the childseat!)

[threeleftfeet]

If you've just moved to London, you'll start to get the idea pretty quickly that London is simply not a car-friendly town. It's actually designed to be so in many places because otherwise the number of cars on the road would be even bigger!

My DP loves his car, hates public transport, but he learnt pretty quickly when he moved here that taking the car is often simply way more hassle (and expense) that it's worth.

The parking meters outside my old work, for example were £1 for 20 minutes, on top of the c-zone charge. And that was 6 years ago, I expect they're way more now!

[threeleftfeet]

And another thing ... I agree with Miss Betsy that Homerton are great :)

[threeleftfeet]

One more thing ... I would get the numbers of a few minicab numbers near you just in case they're busy on the day. Let me know - if you happen to live in Clapton, Dalston or Stoke Newington I can recommend a few for you.

[Hodel]

I was panicked about this too, but it was fine. If you arrive at night the barriers are up and you just park in front. In the daytime there is a bit of the car park where you are allowed to leave your car for a short time. We left the car there and at some point dh went out to tell them I had the baby (2 hour labour!) and they let him move it inside the barriers. They had put a big sticker on the window telling us we had overstayed, but not a big deal.

Oh, and I also thought they were great!

[threeleftfeet]

Hodel, I'm surprised, I didn't think you could park at the hospital easily. It's never been my experience (I've only had one DC but I've lived in Hackney years and used A&E a few times).

It is possible that you were particularly lucky?

I would ask your midwife team what they advise.

[threeleftfeet]

Or perhaps it's possible that I've been particularly unlucky!

[hackneyzoo]

There's also pay and display on Clifden Road, (by the back entrance to the hospital) but I don't know if you are limited in time if you park there. I was lucky and walked there as was only a few streets away. But agree that taxi might be the best option. Sam's Cabs are always good and reliable ime.

Homerton are ace, had DC3 there last year in the MLU, she ended up on SCBU and the staff were amazing.

It says about parking on their website

[Donkeyswife]

Both times I had my babies I a) walked to hospital (I was induced) and b) cycled to hospital and parked my bike in the car park (I hadn't realised I was in labour - long story!).

With my 3rd baby due in July at the heart of Olympic mania, I plan on getting a bus to the hospital - many stopy right outside, or getting a cab as there is nowhere to park in the area.

You could do a practice run on the bus/taxi so that you're comfortable with the route. Also, as with other postees here, I totally agree, Homerton Hospital is fantastic, I've had two very different birthing experiences there - one traumatic (nothing to do with staff, it was my baby not wanting to come out) and the other was easy peasy. Both times staff were just amazing and I always had at least one and usually two midwives with me at all times during the birth. You're in very safe hands.

[Rosebud05]

I had 3 positive experiences at the Homerton, in terms of midwifery care.

I would second don't even think about driving - walk, bus, cab or lift.

Even if you do find somewhere to park, you don't really want to be worrying about going out to put money in the meter etc whilst you're in labour. Whoever is with you will probably go home to rest and pick up things after you've had your baby and before you're discharged, and they can bring the car then.

Hope it goes well.