Just wanted to give a "shout out" to Chelsea & Westminster Hospital. I had my first baby there on Sunday and the care was excellent from start to finish. Here are a few things that were good:
- when I was in labour, we phoned the hospital and the midwife on the phone was encouraging and cheerful
- when we arrived, the triage nurse was friendly and kept me calm
- the midwife who actually delivered our baby read my birth plan and adhered to it as best she could.
- they did their best to give my partner and I some privacy for as long as possible, before transferring us to the shared ward
- in the shared ward, midwives checked on me regularly and helped me soothe my new baby when it cried on the first night
- three different midwives/breastfeeding councillors helped me learn to breastfeed (which is certainly a learned skill rather than something that comes naturally)
- when we were discharged, we were given clear information about our follow-up care.
A friend gave birth there a few days before me, and had a similar level of care so I don't think it was 'just me'. Having said that, it was a reasonably quiet night when I was there, so that might have helped.
Anyway, happy to answer any questions you might have!