Chelsea & Westminster Hospital Maternity Experience

[Roxyoc]

Hello - Does anyone have recent experience of using Chelsea and Westminster hospital for having their baby? I could not find any recent threads on the topics . I’m currently 16 weeks pregnant and considering changing from Kingston hospital after a very negative experience at their A&E department. I live in Kew so both hospitals are a about 15 mins drive so not much in it distance wish. Any help would be appreciated. Many thanks.

[Hollielouise]

I'm 31 weeks and have been at C&W since the start. They've been good so far, though obviously can't comment on the birth yet! I haven't ever seen the same midwife with every appointment though - it's always someone different so if that means a lot to you that may be something to consider. Access to consultants, extra scans and referrals have been good as and when needed - I've had a hip replacement so needed to chat about birth options with a consultant and that's all been arranged over the phone without any issue. Quite easy to get hold of the midwives on the phone, or the appointment line to change dates and times if you need to.
They do live weekly Facebook q&a with the consultant midwife, which has been really helpful and update on covid restrictions frequently.
Have heard mixed reviews of the postnatal wars but there is always the private option of the Kensington wing which you can pay (£1250) for for your own room after birth if available! Not sure NHS private rooms will be on offer due to covid - they aren't at the moment but may change for your due date. Hope that helps! 😊

[Hollielouise]

*ward. Not wars. Obviously! 😅

[Roxyoc]

Thank you very much HollieLouise and best of luck with the birth.

[60sPony]

I had my first at C&W at the end of 2017 and had an excellent experience. Now 17 weeks pregnant I’m back there again and despite not having met my midwife yet (booking and 16wk appointments are by phone atm) it’s been a positive experience so far and am always in contact with the same midwife.

C&W have a wonderful, pretty new, birth centre with private (but not paid for) rooms with birthing pools Etc and if you are low risk you have all your appointments there too. The ‘hospital side’ of the maternity unit is more wards based with fewer private (non paid for rooms). I think this is different to Kingston where it’s all private rooms?

I’ve attached the C&W schedule of appointments in case of interest.

And something basic but perhaps worth considering in the current climate parking at Kingston is so much easier... there is a car park at C&W but It’s always full so totally useless. Partners aren’t allowed to join appointments at the moment so my husband has been driving me to the hospital and then driving around whilst I’m in before picking me up.

I’m obviously no expert but any questions let me know!

[GrendelsCat]

I'm at Chelsea and a Westminster this time after a traumatic first birth at a different hospital. So far they've been brilliant - professional and very organised, and they've been really accommodating and understanding of my worries etc after my previous experience. Haven't had the baby yet, but so far I couldn't recommend them enough.

[mobear]

I’m nearly 20 weeks and have been with C&W from the start. I can’t comment on the birth obviously but everything else has been good. I have a residents’ parking permit though so I haven’t had problems with parking.

[Worriedmum97]

I found Kingston maternity pretty good. Postnatal ward less so, they were quite slow to discharge me when pandemic was in full swing, had to wait till 6pm to be allowed to go home next day after birth but it was probably for them to make sure me and baby are ok. But I had a straightforward pregnancy/birth.

[Roxyoc]

Thank you all very much for sharing your experience of C&W which all seem very positive.

I had not thought about parking which could prove an issue for me or the single post natal rooms. Saw my midwife today who said Kingston will do 3 home visits once baby is born but C&W will not as I am outside the catchment area.

Are all of the antenatal And postnatal appointments at C&W hospital?

[Hollielouise]

@Roxyoc I've had the 20 week scan in Victoria but everything else was at C&W, though appointment schedule has changed and some of the standard midwife appointments are over the phone at the moment.

[Roxyoc]

Thank you Hollielouise.

[Rachelclaire85]

I can't give first hand experience but my mum is a midwife and has experience working in most hospitals in south London. Both herself and her colleagues all say C&W is the best place especially if you are interested in trying to achieve a more natural birth. Their birth centres are great and they are the only hospital carrying on their home birth scheme during this time and keeping birth centres open. I'm too far away otherwise I would definitely be going there!

[Roxyoc]

@Rachelclaire85 thank you so much for your input and taking the time to share your moms views. Much appreciated.

Ps apologies for the late reply. I’ve been very ill with covid and only just recovering

[MassiveMildred]

This is such a late response to this thread but I really thought I should chime in as an alternative voice.

C&W is clearly a very well-funded NHS hospital but the maternity ward -being in central London - is unbelievably busy.

My experience over two pregnancies and births is that it is definitely the place to be if something goes wrong, but their pre and post natal care is pretty whack, save for a handful of excellent midwives and doctors. A few staff are wonderful, warm, compassionate and highly-skilled, but at the other end of the spectrum, there are staff who are actively rude and dismissive. If I was being kind, I'd say this is because the NHS system is overstretched and understaffed, but I have never been spoken to so badly as I was by some of the medical staff at that hospital, and this is the point in your life when you are at most vulnerable. Staff turnover seems to be high and there are lots of them - I didn't see the same midwife once.

If I had another child (LOL - never again) then I would probably go to C&W again because, as I mentioned, the crash teams there are hugely qualified and so for high-risk care, they are very good. And you don't always know you're high-risk until you go into labour. However, I would suggest being prepared to stick up for yourselves A LOT. The staff aren't on your side and they will hoof you out of there as quickly as they can because they need the beds. Unless they mess up and are scared you're going to sue them - then they won't let you leave!

[DollyParton2]

OP- I’m sorry you had a bad experience in Kingston’s A&E. Do you care to elaborate or say what exactly your concerns are/ what went wrong?
I’ve had 2 DC at Kingston and had such an amazing experience both times. I can’t imagine private would be any better- that was the level and quality of care I got.
How far away are you from C&W as they are quite different areas?

[DollyParton2]

Sorry seen you said you are in Kew!

[Happyasbarry]

Sorry trying to delete my post above as now I am worried it might worry others!

[Happyasbarry]

Thanks Mumsnet! It was all okay in the end BTW. I was with c and w for first but now with Kingston. So far happier with Kingston. Fingers crossed for a homebirth this time that is nice and easy.

[MnM156]

I am 37 weeks and with CWH since the start. I have absolutely no complaints and am very very happy to be there. My baby has some complications and I am going to be induced next week. They have been on my case since Week 20 when they found out certain issues. I have had 5 growth scans in 6 weeks and have always seen the same consultant. I have gone in for reduced fetal movements a couple of times as well and have only met friendly and very competent midwives, nurses and doctors. They have been so so thorough and I cannot think of having another child somewhere else. Cannot comment on the birth yet as it's still planned for next week but the whole experience at CWH has been amazing.

[Miakc]

Hello, I had my first baby at Chelwest in 2017. The birthing suite was amazing and the staff were so supportive. I had to stay in for 2 nights after which unfortunately was a different story. I had a similar experience to Mildred on the ward. Treated as an inconvenience and bed blocker even though I was desperate to go home. Priority is given to mums who have had a C-section which is understandable. Asking where the linen cupboard was so I could change my own blood soaked sheets was seen as demanding! Having said that I am having my 2nd child there too, as I felt so safe during the birth part that I’m willing to tolerate a few sassy midwives should I need to stay on the ward again 😬.