Home from home at St Thomas' recent experiences?

[Lizziefinch]

Has anyone recently had their baby in the home from home? Would like to know what staffing levels are like these days, and how likely it is that I'll get to go in the home from home and use the pools?

There is a thread from 2008 on this subject but I'd love to hear recent experiences good or bad. Thanks

The car park was easy, BUT we went in at 5am on the Weds morning so clearly rather 'off peak' for all other parking purposes. Came out afternoon of the Friday and it cost us £114. Clearly pricey but then really easy and, if I remember rightly, a taxi would have been about £30 to £40 each way so IMO worth the extra for the convenience.

There is a link on the hospital website with info about the parking costs etc. I think if it had been during the day we'd probably have got a cab but at 5am after having been awake with contractions throughout the night the car was easiest for us. Especially as we'd already made it half way to the hospital once then my contractions stopped / became less regular and so had to turn back... Oops!

There's a couple of big hotels v close to the hospital so we also considered investigating their car parks just in case St T's was busy... never got round to making those calls though. Think they're the Marriot and Park Plaza.

Hope that helps.

My gp is at peninsula practice and it was very difficult to get a referral but I was bloody minded patiently persistent.

Hope your appointment goes well, I was looked after by the Coin Street team. Perfectly good, but not a patch on the hospital midwives when the time came. Seems like yesterday..!

St T's car park is very expensive and the ticket machines literally NEVER work. Very annoying. That said we've always managed to find a space there at all times of day and night.

However there is a v good open air car park five mins walk away (ten while contracting!) Take the turning off York Rd toward the Eye, turn right at the Eye and the car park is on your left.

Also... Don't forget to pay the congestion charge as we v nearly did!

Argh, yes the CC! A friend of mine racked up hundreds of pounds worth of fines when she had to do daily trips to the antenatal day unit for a week for monitoring and tests. I think with all the stress she just plain forgot. Easy to do.

Oh yes good point the congestion charge. I'm hoping to get to all antenatal apps by train anyway but we may well drive in on the day... Just had first midwife app with a St T's midwife at the Waldron health centre, and she was lovely and inspired confidence generally. Am beginning to relax and realise it might all be ok! DH very impressed that my blood tests are all clear and normal and is cooking for me to celebrate! Fingers crossed now for the scan in 2 weeks.

Lovely news! Enjoy being looked after. Hope you have an easy pregnancy and your St T's experience is good all the way down the line. If you have any other questions, happy to help where I can.

All the best!

Thanks kittiecat x