I have just found out that I am pregnant with no. 3. Numbers 1 and 2 were born in Queen Charlottes Hospital in Hammersmith. This time I am thinking of asking to be referred to Chelsea and Westminster instead. We live slightly closer to Queen Charlottes but my work (from where I will have to attend almost all antenatal appointments) is much nearer Chelsea and Westminster.
My reasons for not wanting to go back to Queen Charlottes are as follows: it is the middle of nowhere; the views are of a prison, a MoD shooting ground and a sink estate ? I found it depressing area; no public transport goes there; if you end up having to be an inpatient (which I did due to pre-eclampsia) nobody can visit you; there are no decent shops or cafes nearby from which to procure decent food; the waiting times for antenatal appointments were ridiculous (often 2+ hours in the waiting room); I never saw the same doctor or midwife twice (despite many appointments due to pre-eclampsia). Having said all that the care during my births was good and it is the easier drive from home where I am likely to be when I go into labour.
Cleary Chelsea is a nicer area and if I was an inpatient I would have lots of visitors all of whom could come via the many lovely shops and cafes bearing yummy food. I do however accept that location, location, location is not the mantra by which to choose maternity care. What is the treatment like there, are the aits long, are the facilities clean, do you get continuity of care and is the care during labour top notch? I would appreciate any experiences to help me judge this.