West Middlesex or Kingston Hospital?

[Richmond77]

I was wondering if anyone has any recent experience or advice about either of these two hospitals? I have to make a choice and am finding it hard, especially as this will be my first! (Due May 2011) Any help would be appreciated!

I had ds2 at west midds and had a fantastic experience. Had horrible delivery with ds1 at different hospital and the experience at wm was wonderful and helped me heal emotionally after ds1. They couldn't have looked after me any better than they did. Would recommend very highly. Good luck.

kingston! Malden Suite!!!!!

I also live in the Richmond area and have to chose between West Mid and Kingston (due June 2011). I like the idea of the Malden Suite, but have no idea if I will want an epidural. Help!

Think they are both quite good, but a friend who works in West Mid (as a midwife) tells me they have started using refexology and aromatherapy as an induction method! Any NHS hospital with this kind of thinking, cant be bad!

And staffing levels are very good too. In fact I have not heard anyone say anything bad about WestMid, and I often hear terrible things from patients about other London hospitals.

Thanks!

I had dd1 at west mid in 2006. Experience was fab, long labour, really kind midwives and nice newish premises. Really positive experience .

Had first baby at Kingston in May - hated every minute of it! Antenatal care good, postnatal shocking. St George's for me next time definitely!

I had to choose between the 2 back in March and after it took us 25minutes to find a parking space at Kingston hospital we decided on West Mid. I am high risk as PE with DC1 and the staff at West Mid have been superb.

I'm also trying to decide between the two (first child, due in July 2011). I'm leaning towards West Mid, as it has a new maternity ward. I've read some reviews that WM is quite busy (compared to Kingston), but from the above comments it seems only positive. Anything else I should know? Thanks for your help.

Can't comment on West Mid but Kingston was great. I used the birthing pool in the Malden Suite then whisked to main maternity unit down corridor when i didn't progress. Great midwives, individual rooms available post birth and lots of bf support. Heartily recommended

I used the Malden Suite, too, and have nothing but good things to say about my experience. Midwives were lovely, v respectful of my birth plan, environment was calm and pleasant, rooms clean and spacious with one really big en-suite bathroom between two mums and it was generally about as good as I imagine it is possible for NHS hospital care to be. My only advice (if you give birth in the middle of the night) is to take plenty of food and drink as there wasn't much available at midnight for me, apart from tea.

Thanks for the responses. I'm still struggling to make my mind up, and have to decide by tomorrow. Hopefully sleeping on it will help..

Hi ladies,

I am due on the 30th April 2011, and have chosen to give birth at Kingston. Still feeling quite anxious about whether I have made the right choice?? As far I can tell from doing some research, most London hospitals have a lot of negative reports. Does anyone have any recent feedback from giving birth at Kingston? Also, the Malden Suite sounds very appealing, is it difficult to get a room in this unit? Thanks..

I thought Kingston were great (ante and post natal) but agree about the parking being a bit of a pain! I've no experience with West Mid but I'd definitely recommend Kingston.

I have just found out that I am pg with baby #2 and due in late May 2014
I had DC 1 at West Mid and did not have a good experience, ling labour horrible doctors and midwives.
Now i stand that choice again. Anyone given birth recently in either of them? I have to decide which one to choose. Help...