Beckenham Hospital vs Kings

[Beaver80]

I'd really appreciate it if anyone could share their experiences of Beckenham hospital. I've just moved to the Beckenham area and have also found out I'm pregnant with DC2.

With DS1 I had an EMCS at Kings (which was near to my last house) and apart from the emergency aspect I had a good experience there.

Kings is now about a 25 minute drive away, but it's obviously a really good hospital. I have no knowledge at all of Beckenham and I'd love to hear your c

Sorry...

...love to hear your comments!

I may well be talking out of my arse here, but I didn't think Beckenham had a maternity ward. It's quite a small hospital.
Services

Hi. I had dd1 at Kings, then dd2 and dd3 at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) in Bromley. As far as I know, there isn't a maternity unit at Beckenham Beacon hospital, although you may have your antenatal care there.

Overall, I had better experiences at the PRUH, but the second and third births were far more straightforward anyway. Depending on what kind of birth you are hoping for, I had a good experience in the Oasis birthing unit at the PRUH. Water birth, friendly and efficient midwives, good postnatal care and bf support.

Thanks and der... Looks like baby brain had hit early this time. Kings is actually closer to me then, I didn't realise how lucky I was to be so close last time.

Hi - depending where you are in Beckenham, the PRUH at Orpington or Lewisham Hospital or even Mayday (or whatever it is called now) in South Croydon would probably be your nearest.

Do not underestimate the traffic in London when you are trying to get to hospital and in labour. It took 20 mins to get to the PRUH and I can't even imagine trying to get through traffic to King's. If you're in Beckenham I can't see how King's would be the nearest hospital i.e. nearer than the other three?

I'll be the same, we are moving to Beckenham and if we have another, I would still be tempted to go with Kings. I currently live v close to Kings (less than 5 min drive) and I drive to and from Beckenham a lot, it takes 20-25mins. So I do think it's an option from Beckenham.
Good luck!

Oh yes, Kings is definitely still an option from Beckenham. The PRUH is not exactly close. It is, as people have said, the traffic that complicates things. Going to Kings in rush hour would take longer than getting to the PRUH in rush hour imo.

Second that the Mayday in Croydon is an option, I know a few people from Beckenham who gave birth there.

Hi, I was just wondering whether you've had your baby yet and if so what your experience was?

I'm in a similar situation. Live in East Dulwich currently and had my son at Kings in 2011. I'm due again in October 2013 but we're expecting to move to Beckenham in the summer and so i need to find out about the maternity services available.

Any advice would be helpful.

Many thanks

Ruth

I had my baby in kings in 2011 and they' had catchment area as they were so overstretched. They have a list of postcodes on their website. I'm in crystal palace & only just got in - beckenham might be too far away.

Hi Ruth

I'm now 33 + 3 and am going to give birth at the PRUH. I've had scans at Kings, Beckenham Beacon and the PRUH, and most mw appointments at Beckenham Beacon. despite asking on different occasions if I could deliver again at Kings I got a point blank 'no'. The PRUH seems nice, it's very modern and seems a calmer environment than the very bustling Kings, but it is a good 35 min drive away when I know I could get to Kings in 20 mins. Happy to answer any other questions you have :)

Thanks Beaver80,

After a little bit of research i think the Oasis centre at PRUH sounds good too. I went to kings last time after an aborted home birth and was happy to try at home as i was only 5 mins from Kings. This time i'll be further away from a hospital so a birthing centre is ideal.

Do you know if it's difficult to get in to the Oasis centre? I'm still living in ED and still registered at a doctors here, probably won't be until July/August that we move so i'm worried it'll be too late to get my first choice.

Ruth

Hi Ruth

I'll be having an ELCS so I'm not sure about the birth centre, sorry. It might be worth asking your gp now if they have any information, or even contacting the oasis directly? Anecdotally I've heard good things about the oasis - fingers crossed it all works out for you. Good luck with the move too, we've settled into the area really well.