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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

London hospitals

15 replies

SusanAust · 04/04/2006 01:27

Can anyone give me any feedback on The Portland and St John and Elizabeth? I am moving from Sydney to London in May , expecting my third in August (will need to be c-section) and am trying to find a hospital and doctor. Many thanks

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Chuffed · 04/04/2006 05:05

Aren't they both private, it will cost quite a lot. The private wing at St Mary's Paddington is supposed to be quite good too and can be a little cheaper.

louli · 09/04/2006 22:28

They are both private. I have experienced both. I have had two c-sections at St John and Elizabeths and found them to be caring and provide really good care both ante & post natal. They let you bath in a birthing pool with your new baby. It is a cosy atmosphere and even though you are having a c-section they place great importance in making as close to a natural delivery as possible in terms of bonding and time with baby. They have rooms with a double bed so your partner can stay at all times.

I have also been to The Portland and whilst the style is different (more formal) the care that my son & I recieved was excellent.

This obstetrician is very good and has cared for me in both places but he only does The Portland now. \link{http://www.thebirthcompany.co.uk/\The Birth Company}

At John & Lizzies Sandra is head of the birth unit and she is fantastic. If you want to go there you would probably need to book asap as it only has ten beds and gets very busy very quickly. She would be able to suggest a consultant.

Good luck.

novadandypowder · 10/04/2006 10:45

I found the Portland to be fantastic, although I didn't have a c-section.

I know both places are welcoming to anyone to have a look around, so I guess that would be your best bet, then you can make a choice based on what you think of the place.

janinlondon · 10/04/2006 13:13

Susan I am an Australian living in London, and found that the health system here is very very different from what we have at home. You may have lived here before and so have already worked out the pros and cons, but if you haven't it might be an idea to look into the NHS system. I had always gone private in Oz, but here I wouldn't leave the NHS for anything. Just a thought!

Uwila · 10/04/2006 13:25

I am American (so also used to a different mecical system). I would say that childbirth is one thing the NHS does well. I have had 2 sections on the NHS (one inEpsom, and oneat Queen Charlotte). Epsom wasn't bad. But, Queen Charlotte was very good. The care on the ward post opcould be nicer (but hey it was free). You might want to consider a section on the NHS followed by a private room?

Cortina · 25/04/2006 00:12

I had both mine at John and Lizzies. Went midwife led care this time at John and Lizzies and found it to be fantastic. I like the fact they offered a 24 hour mobile epidural service. I was able to stand up to deliver and be active yet pain free. Mobile epidurals are not available at most NHS hosptials.

Had the same obstetrician I think as Louli (Donald Gibb) for my first child and he was very reassuring.

I wouldn't be happy going on the NHS for many reasons to have a baby although I do appreciate it can be excellent.

kitegirl · 25/04/2006 07:22

Another vote for St John and Lizzies here - had a c-section there and the care was fantastic. Donald Gibb was my obstetrician (see the link for Birth Company in louli's post) and he is brilliant. Would love to go back there for current pg but they won't have me because of risk of complications, for the same reason I can't book Gibb at Portland but if I had the choice I would.

hub2dee · 25/04/2006 07:25

I did a rather long post last year about our good experiences at the Portland but I can't find it because the archive searching is broken. Anyhow, we thought it was excellent. We used \link{http://www.myscan.co.uk/about_us.asp\this consultant}. Great guy. C-section.

hub2dee · 25/04/2006 07:27

kitegirl, can I ask why you can't go with / choose your preferred consultant ? Do you need someone with a particular speciality ? (The guy we linked to is excellent, I don't know if his experience is relevant to your particular needs). HTH

kitegirl · 25/04/2006 07:41

had a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in lung) last year as a result of a snowboarding accident and have to be in an NHS hospital with good back up because of risk of getting another one - so probably going to the Lansdell Suite at St Thomas's. Shame as rather liked the lush rooms at St John & Liz...

hub2dee · 25/04/2006 07:49

Blimey... hope you're not too nervous about a reoccurance for you at the birth ! We met our consultant because he is based at the Royal Free (NHS).

hub2dee · 25/04/2006 07:50

(Also hope that last snowboarding move was impressive ! )

kitegirl · 25/04/2006 07:57

dude, it was, like, totally gnarly!

(in reality a German tw*t on skis plowed into me)

kitegirl · 25/04/2006 07:58

ploughed rather. bloody early wake-ups.

hub2dee · 25/04/2006 08:26

Crikey. I bet he wasn't even 24 and built like adonis. Wasn't even French.

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