choice of four - Lewisham, St Elizabeth's in Woolwich, Kings, Guys & Thomas

[helpivegottogivebirth]

The doctor asked me where i wanted to give birth. i have no idea as i thought they would tell me where i HAD to give birth. Too much choice already (imagine what I'll be like with choosing names)

I live in SE13 Greenwich Deptford so i guess Lewisham General and St Elizabeth's in Woolwich are pretty equidistant.

does anyone have any experience with either of these hospitals? Or any recommendations?

Not sure about the latest MRSA stats, we were there in spring '07... Might be worthwhile checking? Agree with piximon on BF too, not great. Also find that St. Thomas CMWs have more time for you during the antenatal visits and seem to genially care for you, so far overall very happy with my choice this time around.

One point about QEII - I had a private room, and the private rooms are located on the corridor that from the maternity ward to the labour ward. I was constantly woken up throughout the night by noisy nursing staff who would yell down the corridor rather than actually walking down and asking questions. (And they had a horrible trolley with a wonky wheel that clattered really noisily all the way). I couldn't leave the door closed because the heating was on overdrive and the room was stinking hot, yet it was utterly freezing outside and leaving the window open meant a HUGE draft coming in. Poor DS ended up with a heat rash in March!

The staff in labour were generally great. 2 out of the 3 midwives were fabulous, the doctor was really, really great (ordered his student out of the room for doing something silly and wouldn't let her back in) and very calm and reassuring. The anaethatist (when I finally got to see her after 3 hours!) was really nice as well.

After birth care was utterly rubbish. On the day I was due to go home, my DH came to collect me, but they hadn't got their act together and the paperwork hadn't been filled in so I wasn't allowed to go, and they wouldn't let DH stay and he had to leave and come back for the next lot of visiting hours, even though I had a private room and noone would have been disturbed by him being there at all!!!!

I had my 2 youngest boys at QEII, 6 and 4 yrs ago. With my 6 yr old DS my care during labour was great (with DS3 it was so quick, I hardly have memories of it )

The aftercare (postnatal ward) was awful!! Really horrendous. Rude midwives, who didn't have any time for their patients. I couldn't wait to get out of there! With DS3, I was home 6 hours after having him!

My antenatal care was ok, but I was classed as high risk having had a stillborn baby to PE and another 7 weeks early because of PE. I don't remember having any real problems with the antenatal side of it. Oh apart from one time when I had to wait 3 hours for my appt with DS3 and DS2 was only nearly 2 NOT an experience I want to repeat!

Ooh just remembered something else. Two days before having DS3 I came down with a terrible bug and had to be admitted. They put me on a drip and left me for hours. All I wanted to do was to get changed and sleep, but couldn't cos I was attached to the stupid drip...and then the midwife woke me at 2 and 6 to do my BP...I was more stressed being there than anything else!

This is exactly the information I've been looking for. I live very close to Lewisham Hospital but am hugely disappointed by most of the reviews I've found. It's good to see at least a couple of OK experiences. Are there any more recent experiences in any of these hospitals?

Hi Rhamdam - I'm the original poster from way back.

I actually ended up giving birth at the Barkentine Centre in Tower Hamlets.

It is a midwife led birthing unit - only 5 rooms but each one has bouncing balls and a large water pool. My husband was also able to stay overnight as they have double beds and no visiting rules ie anyone at anytime.

The only proviso is that you have to have had the 'perfect' pregnancy but I highly recommend it if you can.

Thanks! It doesn't look like I have the option you did, but I decided to go with Lewisham after doing the Labour ward tour. It does look like things have improved there a little in the last year or so, and the water birth room is nice. I'll try and remember to post my experiences in case anyone else is trying to make the same decision. :-)

I lived in Greenwich and had DD at St Thomas's in Feb 2008 and it was excellent, though postnatal ward standard, the rest of care was excellent.

I am having DC2 at Kings, simply because we live nearby.

I would never have baby at QE or lewisham tbh, I would want a large teaching hospital with the best facilities. You never know what may happen. My mw (SE10 based one) told me horror stories about queen elizabeth. I used to travel to St Thomas's on the thames clipper boat or by tube from North Greenwich, and also you can go overland easily to london bridge and change.

Hi, sorry to bump thread but would appreciate help with choosing a hospital.

I live in Brockley and have been offered Lewisham Hospital (nearest) but want a water birth at St Thomas' because I have heard horror stories about Lewisham and the standard of care and would like to make a balanced decision. Is there a water birth facility at Lewisham Hosp.? RamDhan mentioned it but I can't find it on their website.

Are there any more recent experiences in any of these hospitals?

I can only add that I am at Kings and am nearly ready to pop. It is not the closest but I did research what I could of Lewisham and QE. I had friends who did not have great experiences at either - but I have heard that Lewisham has improved - tbh you have to remember that everyone may have a difference personal experience.

I can not fault anyone that I have come into contact with at Kings and I have seen a lot of staff. I also ask lots of questions and they always give me proper time and answer any queries I have.

They have so far just been fantastic, in fact my dh have said that we will write a letter to the hospital to comment on the great care we have received when we get a moment .

We will see how the birth goes but the care thus far has been outstanding, and my dh and I feel that it is not a one off but as we have met with so many people - we think that they have a great ethos through out all the staff we have come into contact with.

There was a website that I used to check out maternity care assessments also. That I will try send you, am suffering from pregnancy insomnia so will look it up.

mumabee ring the hospital and check - you need to check how many water birth facilities and also whether all the midwives are trained in waterbirths and the reality - as to how busy the hospital is. Good Luck!

link to the healthcare comm surveys.. in case of interest.

www.birthchoiceuk.com/BirthChoiceUKFrame.htm?www.birthchoiceuk.com/HCSurvey.html

I'd agree with crumpette that Kings is easier than you think to get to from Greenwich, SE, there is also the train to Denmark Hill.

Thank you very much for the information pinkfizzle. It's wonderful to hear that you are having a positive experience at Kings. Best wishes and good luck with the birth

I called Lewisham and they have 1 pool and staff trained to assist. She suggested a home birth and gave me information about hiring a birthing pool. Not sure if I want to do that as it's my first, although being at home is sounds very appealing. Lots to think about.

Am not sure when you are due but you do have other options. Lewisham have just opened a midwife led birthing unit and home bith if you are having a normal pregnancy and not expecting any complications. I am currently the service user chair of Lewisham's maternity service liasion committee and am work to support the improvement of care and support to women in the borough. I have a blog and FB group see the links. Would love to hear from women and how the think services can be improved. lewishammslc.blogspot.com/

www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=117383234956478

I would go closest as easier. I dont live in your area but my 1st labour was very quick and would not have made it in time had I faffed around driving miles to a hospital.Also as you say easier for your husband to visit you and baby after and bring anything extra you may need.Also as you say continuity of care.Alot of maternity services are slated as they are all understaffed as Labour spent years investing in managers & penpushers for the NHS rather than maternity care. I had a community midwife who was amazing and booked her for my second child at the same hospital
My sis due to give birth at Lewisham general & so far the care she has had & ante natal/midwives have been great.First time can be daunting and midwives can seem bulish anyway but you just have to stand your geound sometimes but also respext them as they do the job day in day out.Good luck everyone!