First time Blackheath mum - which hospital?

[Queenie777]

Hello! I live in Blackheath and I'm 7 weeks pregnant. Would love to hear anyone's experiences of hospitals in the area. I'm trying to decide which one to give birth in but reading accounts of Lewisham and QE sound nightmarish. What other options are there? Any advice would be much appreciated, thank you!

[gothicsprout]

I gave birth in the birth centre at QEH back in February and couldn't have asked for a better experience - lovely big room with double bed for all of us to get some rest afterwards, en suite bathroom and birth pool where I spent most of my labour, and the midwives were all great.

In theory I think you can ask to go anywhere, but practically think how far you'd be happy to travel when in labour. QEH is 5-10 mins drive for me and I was very glad it wasn't further after my contractions kicked in properly, the car was not a comfortable place to be.

[Helspopje]

I've had my last 3 at st Thomas'
Excellent experiences all

[tigerbear]

Def stay clear of Lewisham! The main ward is hell (or was when I gave birth in 2011). The birth centre is supposed to be better than main ward, but if you have any complications, as I did, you won't be allowed in the birth centre.

[TheGreenWitch]

I had DS at St Thomas'. We had an excellent experience.

An aside, but we also did a birthing workshop with Julie Adams in Blackheath and can't recommend her enough.

[CashelGirl]

Lewisham and QEH each have open evening so you could go along and have a look. The Lewisham one is tomorrow (first Wednesday of every month) from 7-9 and the QEH one is the third Wednesday of the month from 6-8. You don't need to book, just go along and they do tours of the delivery suite and the Birth Centre.

[Queenie777]

Great advice, thanks everyone! @TheGreenWitch I'll check out Julie, thank you!

[adjsavedmylife]

Had early baby at Lewisham, labour ward team were amazing as were NICU. One difference is that post natal private rooms are sometimes available at Lewisham for £50/night, but not QE as far as i know. Distance is def a factor as a pp said, not just for labour but if you/baby are in for any length afterwards there could be a lot of back and forth. Good luck!

[user1471477415]

I had my baby at QEH and as the pp said I couldn't have asked for more. The midwives and consultants were very knowledgeable and lovely. I was made to feel very comfortable at every visit and during and post C section. Had complications but was never made to feel silly for calling in with the smallest worry. Totally recommend QEH to everyone.

[user1471477415]

Should add I had also read the reviews was not 100% sure about them as it was such a big step in our lives and choosing a hospital based just on location made me nervous but absolutely no regrets.

[Queenie777]

Thanks so much user1471477415. That's really helpful, I completely agree, it's really daunting having to make a decision based on location.

[nivky]

Thanks for this post Queenie777, I am in the early stages of pregnancy also and need to ask the same question. I think visiting the open days will be a good step forward...

[Aozora13]

I'm had dd in QEH almost a year ago (eep) in the birth centre. It was really lovely. Peaceful, private and the midwives were great. Plus husband got to sleep in with us as there's a double bed. Only downside was a crap breakfast and it took a while for us to get discharged in the morning as I was desperate to get home (we were only there 14 hours in total!). As others have said, go to open days and also when you're thinking about the journey bear in mind closer isn't always quicker! Enjoy your pregnancy & congratulations

[tinymeteor]

Really good to read such positive reviews of the QEH birth centre. It didn't exist when I had DD in 2014, so I went for Lewisham for their birth centre, but had complications and ended up on the main ward anyway. Lewisham was fine, though their breastfeeding advice was inconsistent to say the least. I'm likely to choose QEH this time.

[LinaBl]

@Queenie777 Thank you for this question. I have moved to Greenwich/Maze Hill just recently, and as of today Im 39wks already. Booked with QEH, as it is extremely close for us. But still deciding if we should travel to our usual Hospital, as I know it better.
However replies to your question made me more at ease in case I feel that I need to get to the nearest hosp fast :)