which hospital's maternity service recommended in south west London? Kingston vs St George vs Chelsea and Westminster

[newmummyAS]

Hi there,

I am expecting my baby July next year and is deciding between the hospitals. We live in Wimbledon area and am deciding between st Georges (which is the nearest), Kingston and Chelsea and Westminster. I read the ratings for st Georges maternity and got a bit worries so are considering the other two. This is my 2nd baby and my first was born quite premature at st Thomas (a bit too far away for us now), so I would also prefer a hospital that can handle complications. I am would really appreciate if somebody can share some recent experiences. Thank you.

They all have different qualities. St George's is best for very premature babies for example.

I’ve been under Kingston for my pregnancies, though I haven’t given birth there (home birthed instead). I know the midwife-led birth ling centre unit is highly rated, with pools, mood lighting, etc. Kingston maternity is very busy at the moment, though (so much so that my scans are actually at Raynes Park Health Centre, which is under Kingston).

I'm a few years out of date but had good care at St George's. The last one was also the best one and had the best midwives.

Kingston care is decent. However they aren’t teaching hospital therefore limited expertise. If you want full service on ability to handle complication, you need to go St Georgec or Chelsea and W. Otherwise what will happen is if the case is too complicated for them, they will have to be transferred to another hospital, likely St George but it will depends on where there is a space.

I’ve had two in two years at Chelsea and Westminster, but they are so busy now that they won’t accept anyone from out of area (where you used to be able to choose to go there) so bear that in mind.

The care both pre and during births was excellent. I was put off other options by bad CQC reports, I think St George’s is not great..?