Maternity at North Middlesex Hospital, London or Princess Alex, Harlow- any good?

[artylady14]

Hi, has anyone had recent experience of giving birth/maternity services at North Middlesex Hospital in North London? I am considering having my baby there and need to decide in the next week, my Dr said. There has been a closure in the borough of the other maternity unit and I am worried about services being overstretched. My other option is Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow as I will be moving at some point to West Essex.

[Vix286]

I had DD in Princess Alexandra 3 years ago and will go there again for this one. Nice midwife led unit with pools, which I used. I was happy there and know others who were too.

What did you specifically want to know?

[artylady14]

I am so glad to hear that Vix286. I will be moving to Loughton at some point in this pregnancy. I was hoping to hear good things about North Mid too as its the hospital nearest to my hometown and where I have lived all my life. My GP cant refer me to Princess Alexandra as its not on their list so I can only transfer to their care when I move. Thanks for the headsup.

[curlyLJ]

I'm booked into Princess Alex and although I've got 6 weeks to go yet, I have found all their ante-natal care to be very good so far.

I am hoping to use the midwife led unit so nice to know others have been happy there...

[Shellywelly1973]

The North Mid has a brand new birth centre. It only opened in November but the hospital has a poor reputation. I live 2 minutes from it. I had a baby 4 weeks ago but went to The Whittington.

If your moving to Loughton, u would go to Harlow as The North Middlesex would be too far especially if you end up in labour during rush hour!

[artylady14]

Hi Shelly, I was seriously considering North Mid as my parents live very 5 mins drive from it and I thought I would just stay with them in the week. I know the birth centre is brand new but also hear all the bad stories about overcrowding at Barnet and North Mid due to Chase Farm maternity closure.
I thought about rush hour! I am worried about getting to Harlow from Loughton in the rush hour and being all alone in the house if my partner's at work. I know nobody there. It's half an hour just to get there when there is no traffic. That's why I was considering North Mid.

I have had treatment once at Whittington. I thought it was excellent. Congrats for the birth of your baby.

[PerpetualStudent]

Could I bump this?
Im currently registered with North Middlesex, has anyone had experience of it's new birth centre?

[mammycampbell]

thanks for bumping perpetual i am also booked there, 33w with DC2 at the mo, and would love to hear experiences.

Not my direct experience, but a good friend had an induction there in Aug and it sounded much more laid back than my induction experience last time at Chase Farm, 2 yrs ago.

She was given a pessary and sent home at 40+12. Went into labour and stayed put until contractions v close, then went in to the brand new Midwife-led birth centre and had given birth within 3 hours. Very comfy apparently!

Has made me feel much calmer about the prospect of induction should it be needed this time round, esp in terms of being able to labour at home still, not necessarily having the drip, and being able to use the MLU birth centre.

x

[mammycampbell]

should say i am talking about North Mid. i guess that's the problem with borrowing old threads

[PerpetualStudent]

Thanks mammy - great to hear about your friend's positive experience! Im still in first trimester, but I've already got strong feelings about induction - so it's really nice to read of a more positive experience. Was great your friend still got to be in the birth centre too.
A friend of mine was recently in the midwife-led centre in Lewisham & her experience was as it was so in demand they looked for any excuse not to let you in or to turf you out once you were there!