Chelsea and Westminster

[Cupcakesandlove]

Hi,
Has anyone recently given birth or due to give birth at Chelsea and Westminster. I'm currently under queen charlottes and looking to change to Chelsea due to my pre natal care.
I'm looking for good and bad stories thanks

[wtfih]

Hey, I'm almost 35w, due to give birth there.
I'm happy with the care I've received so far, what exactly would you like to know?

[whereswaldo]

I'm 27 weeks and planning to give birth there in the midwife led unit. V pleased so far.

[Cherryblossomsinspring]

I was there 2 yrs ago for my first. I loved how clean and modern it all was. My midwives were good except the booking in one but I think they are always so stretched across so many people they never bother to learn your name. Labour didn't go well but my midwives were very good and supportive. The doctors however, well a lot happens in labour and my son's heart rate was up and down being monitored and the docs came in on their rounds, but they brought a bloody entourage (after 3 hrs of pain and exhaustion), kept turning on lights, put pressure on me, talked over us, kept putting my legs in stirrups and wandering off and then told me to push 5 mins after my epidural had been topped up so there was no way that was going to work. They had 2 failed attempts at the ventouse then went for forceps. Very unpleasant bedside manner from the registrar in particular who had to be told by my midwife to stop pulling with the forceps during my contraction. Same registrar sewed me up and was so rough I was in tears, it was agony and I had a fucking epidural still. To this day i think she shoved a whole fist and surgical cloth up my back passage but I've never been brave enough to ask what she did. Not a kind or sympathetic word from her. The midwives were obviously angry at the docs who took over and upset at how it all went. They arranged a private room for me for free. I left the hospital with a UTI, other infection AND mrsa. It took me a long time to recover.

I think overall it's a good hospital but the group of doctors, particularly the registrar who dealt with me, we're a disgrace for how they behaved and looked after me.

I would have used CW again no problem but only because i am confident I could protect myself better and stand up for myself if I was unlucky enough to have the same labour situation and doctors again.

[Cherryblossomsinspring]

3hrs = 36hrs. Booking in midwife is the one you meet on arrival who checks if you are ready to be transferred to labour ward, just for clarity. My antenatal midwives were also good.

[wtfih]

Cherry, wow, that sounds very scary, not what I wanted to hear. Sorry you've been through that.
Do you remember the name of the registrar? Maybe I should put a note on my birth plan: not to be touched by x

The antenatal midwives are except for one that I've only seen once; she was very dismissive and patronising in attitude but not rude.
Went for a private scan at 32 weeks and was told the baby was measuring small - this was not picked up by the mw who saw me at 31 weeks.
Anyway, called the mw in a frenzy crying about the private scan result and I was booked for the first consultant appointment.
Consultant ordered heaps of blood tests, scan, and was asked to come for monitoring 3 times a week.
NHS scan showed the baby was small indeed but not as initially believed and I have been reassured plenty.
I am due to see the consultant on Monday again but so far I am impressed with how quick they reacted and feel taken care of.
Hope it helps.
Writing this while in for another ctg this morning.

[Dinosaursdontgrowontrees]

I had my dd at c and w 2 years ago. I thought it was great. Ended up staying for 3 days (bp issues) can't not fault the care I received.

[Cupcakesandlove]

Thank you for all your help. A family member gave birth there 5 years ago and it was traumatic.
I was just courious about the level of care during and after birth.
To be fair as much as the booking in midwifes and sonographers at queen charlottes are awful it is my first experience and I am unsure as to how much faith I have in them to deliver

[Cupcakesandlove]

Sorry - those planning on giving birth will it be in the new bit of the maternity wing or the old one?
Is the birthing centre only for private patients?

[TheCrimsonQueen]

I had both my boys there. They were absolutely fantastic. One 6 years ago and the other nearly 4 years ago. My youngest was prem and they were wonderful.

Post natal could have been better but I wasn't in long enough for it to be an issue.

[scarednoob]

I'm there too, due 6 October, unless the little madam has other ideas. I have been really pleased with the medical care, and the sonographers took loads of time and were lovely. the hospital is also nice and modern.

but i have found the admin to be worse than useless - letters not sent, appointments booked for sundays or when the scanning centre was shut, etc.

[Roseotto]

Birthing centre is not for private patients - the Kensington wing is separate, on 3rd floor next To the NICU.