Whittington vs UCLH

[mrsmjm]

Hoping for some updated comments on recent births at either Whittington or UCLH. This is my first birth and I a struggling to choose between the hospitals. Reading very mixed reviews and would like some recent comments to assess the hospitals current performance. Ideally would love a private room but can't tell if these are available. Have read of long waiting times at UCLH offset by horrible post natal wards at Whittington. Making my head spin. Any advice would be appreciated.

I know private rooms normally available at uch if you pay its about 100 quid a night i think?
Which hosp is nearer to you, because tbh i think both of them seem to be good hospitals. I've had two recently at uch (2 yr old and one yr old) and was very happy with the birth, felt the care was a good level etc. postnatal wards not too bad. booked in for this time at whittington, obviously not experience birth there yet but the feel i got from the midwife was really nice, it seemed a smaller and more friendlier hospital than uch, and nearly everyone i know locally has just gone to whittington and all been happy with it, new midwife suite is supposed to be amazing! (i wanna use that) also the midwives i had for home visit postnatally were from whittington team with my other 2 as i live nearer to whittington than uch and they were nice. the one i had for my first ds was particularly lovely! but she has gone into the whittington homebirth team now

i think either one that you chose, you will do okay with them. im sure that's not too helpful but atleast you can feel happy your chosing between 2 good ones rather than having to chose the best of a bad bunch with 2 crap ones!

good luck

Completely agree with Firawla. Had my two (also 2 and 1) at UCLH although was visited by Whittington midwives postnatally both times, who were amazing. Apparently their new(ish?) birth centre is amazing and UCLH is oversubscribed/busier, since the opening of the new wing. I had one baby in the old wing (wouldn't recommend it, although the mw who delivered him was amazing) and one in the new bit - really lovely and I did get my own room (and didn't have to pay!). However, getting your own room obviously depends on how busy they are.

The midwife in charge of the birth centre at the Whittington is called Nula and was completely brilliant after my first baby. She spotted his tongue-tie (which was undiagnosed in the first couple of weeks, despite me asking two doctors to check), also spotted serious mastitis (that a GP had ignored) and helped generally with baby blues. I can't sing her praises enough.

They are both really good places to have babies though, I think. Good luck!

If Whittington & UCLH are both options, may be worth considering the Royal Free? Just had my first there and they were fantastic all the way through to the end.

Seen some bad review on here, but I can say it was fantastic there. A few of my friends also share this view.

You just need loads of change for the car park!

I have posted on this before but... 5 months ago at the Whit I had a v good experience (lovely lovely midwives and considerate obs )

postnatal ward was as expected but I am not squeamish and all I thought was I need to rest and get out of here and I was on such I high I could have been anywhere ( I mean a high from having a baby)

Which is nearer / easier to get to?!

Also -you will hear good and bad about both, in fact all hospitals so don't get into a head spin, they are both great hospitals.

good luck and congrats!

From what I've heard and from my own experience (at UCH):

The Whit has a better reputation for 'natural' birth, birthing centre / midwife led births etc.

UCLH far superior in terms of rooms/decor now that the 'new' wing is open (since 2008). One of the best SCBUs in the country. Very good at high risk pregnancies. Antenatal care is excellent but yes, long waits (usually running an hour or two behind at clinics!).

You will hear different stories - horror stories and dream births - at both. But that's my two pennies worth!

However, I have to say, I had the worst experience of my life at the Royal Free and have heard many horror stories about the hospital from anyone who has had a longer stay (more than 48 hours) - more than seems normal, even for a big busy London hospital.

Sorry to contradict others on thread, but that is my honest opinion.