St Thomas Hospital, London

[TransatlanticCityGirl]

Has anyone given birth at St. Thomas' hospital in London? If so, what was it like there?

My sister was born there in the late 80's. Sorry its not recent, but they did have the best special care baby unit in London at the time. I doubt its gone downhill. Have you visited? That's a really good way to see how the place is run / what the staff are like. I think most maternity units are happy to book tours.

Thanks anonymosity. I did ring and ask for a tour and I was told they don't do tours until after 28 weeks!!! (And the lady I spoke to was quite rude.... so even though it's the obviously place for me to give birth, I'm worried now!) :(

Ah well there are a real mix of nurses and midwives in all units, some cheerful, some miserable, some super talented, some not so much. Its luck of the draw who is on phone duty / night duty etc. I wouldn't let that put you off completely (though understand its not very encouraging at the first hurdle!)

Is it your first baby? If it is, then you know that if you go there you will have access to some of the best obstrets folks in the country, at hand if you need them. Same to be said for most of the big London hospitals these days.

I changed hospitals for my first child because our midwife was so dopey she'd arrange meetings with me (and confirm them by phone) but then not turn up and we'd wait 2 hrs (as we'd been told it can take ages) and no one bothered to tell us she wasn't there. I ended up paying for a private room quite late on (therefore cheaper) at the Portland with their midwives and got probably the dopiest midwife they had available. Having said that, it all went fine in the end.

I had my son there almost 3 years ago and was booked into the home unit. I thought the rooms were great - big and clean and staff supportive. 'Normal' birth there means you and partner can stay and sleep in room with baby which is nice.
The tours are during the week and I don,t remember anything restrictions that applied. They were very openly anti epidurals and pro home birth! Told everyone to book a home birth and you can always change your mind later on.... home unit does best of both worlds I think.

I ended up in the hospital part- taking too long. But that is hospital procedure. The post natal ward is busy and functional. I was there one night in a room with 2 other mothers. It wasn't brilliant but it was fine. But a NCT friend who went there too thought it was terrible.

FWIW, You will hear good and bad stories about ALL hospitals. THis is just the start of a steep learning curve of pregnancy, labour and birth. Someone always has an opinion. Look round when you can. It is a popular and busy hospital, the experts are the best, indoor garden to walk or hobble round is a nice touch and expensive parking but in the end it is down to luck on who you get and remembering that is a small part of a bigger picture.

Home birth for me this time and due on monday :)

Yes, it is my first. The thing I'm struggling with most at this stage (I'm only 7 weeks) is the complete lack of information from my GP and midwife. Wouldn't it be nice if they'd just explain what's going to happen next, and pretend to be a little bit sympathetic now and again?! A leaflet, perhaps?

Interested in what you said about private rooms being cheaper the later you book. Is this always the case? We're thinking of upgrading to a private room in the Landsdell Suite (presuming we go with St. Thomas') at a whopping £695 per night. I would hate to share a room with 3 strangers so need to balance saving money with peace of mind.

Bozzle thanks for the info and good luck for monday! :)

My portland late booking was for 2 nights, midwife care, scans, tests and so on - its a private hospital, but was greatly cheaper than if I'd had a private doctor or booked in when I first found out I was pregnant. I was more than 25wks I think, when I got round to it...

I don't think the rates on private rooms in the big hospitals go down if you book later on.

If you're only 7 weeks, they tend to leave you alone til the 12 week scan when they have something scientific they can look at and discuss. Though you can get an early scan at the Fetal Medical Centre on Harley st, a "dating" scan that tells you as close to what week you're at, as possible. Think that's about 150-200 quid though...but they are extremely helpful, talk you through what they're doing, what you can see, you can ask questions and they take the time you need.

I don't mean to be sounding like I'm plugging all these private facilities!

Not at all. Actually, I've been debating the whole private vs NHS thing. St. Thomas' offers both, and lots of people say it's not worth going private because it's exactly the same thing, but I know when I talk to private vs NHS midwifes, there's a massive difference in their attitudes.
I rang Apeekaboo who do private scans yesterday, after seeing some recommendations in these forums, and the booking lady I spoke to was positively lovely. She couldn't have been more helpful. She answered some of my very basic questions that my GP had fobbed off completley and after the call (5 mins) I was so much more relaxed. So we're booked in for a "viability scan" at 9 weeks, and husband thinks we should supplement NHS with private appointments if not go completely private. So any opinions on private vs NHS are always much appreciated. :)

Sounds like you're getting the balance right for you and if that means going largely NHS but having checks and a viability scan elsewhere I say do it - !

I hope the viability scan goes well. I had one for my 2nd child. I couldn't see much. I asked why she (didn't know then) wasn't moving much and they said the baby was moving but was just so small that I wouldn't be able to see it. But scans are really exciting when they start to get bigger and you can see them kicking around, sucking their thumbs, whathave you.

I hope it goes well!

Hi everyone,
I will soon have my baby at St. Thomas hospital.
It's my first child so I am still not sure about a lot of things 😂
Question for you guys: Did any of you decided to have your babies at the home from home centre at St. Thomas hospital but then decided you could not cope without Epidural and have to be transfered to the birth centre? If yes how was your experience? Have you waited a lot? Etc, etc...
Thanks guys