Does anybody know of a good maternity hospital in the Croydon area?

[MrsDibble]

I've heard bad things about the Mayday. I am 13 weeks pregnant and at the moment I am going to a very good hospital in North London, but if all is fine with the baby they might recommend I go to a hospital nearer to home. I'm petrified about going somewhere where there are problems, and I won't tolerate rude or uncaring midwives very well. I've been told I would have the option of going to Bromley or Kingston. Anyone have any views?

Congrats on your pregnancy! I had DS 18 months ago at Mayday (or Croydon University Hospital as it now is) and some excellent care and quick action by an obstetric registrar probably saved his life. So not all the stories are bad. IME, when you and your baby need to be the priority, the care is excellent. But once the labour is over and you and the baby are safe and sound, the post natal care is not great. But then apparently this is the case at most of the London hospitals IME the midwives were not uncaring or rude, just very, very busy.

If you are set on going elsewhere, it depends where you are in the borough to be honest. I've heard of people going to Kings College, St George's, Lewisham, St Helier, Princess Royal Farnborough, East Surrey in Redhill...and all the anecdotes are a mixture of good and bad. Bear in mind though that if you choose an out of area hospital, you can end up having most of your ante natal appts there, and you may need to get there quickly when the time comes! So travel distance is definitely a factor. If you are currently going up to North London this may not bother you much, but even 10 mins in a car seems like a long time when you are having contractions every two minutes....

I've also heard rumours that some of the hospitals to the north of the borough (Kings, st George's) have tightened up their "catchment areas" due to an increase in the birth rate in their immediate areas. And there were consultations about Lewisham and St Helier closing their maternity wards, which will have a knock on effect at other nearby hospitals. I haven't been keeping up with the latest developments though, so if you're thinking about one of these it might be worth checking out further.

And just to add, the other option might be a home birth. It didn't appeal to me, but I've heard good things about the midwife team that do them in Croydon.

Thanks. I've heard the same about other hospitals tightening their catchment area - I would have been keen on St Thomas' or St George's but understand that they won't take people from Croydon.

My first daughter was induced at UCH (where I'm currently going) for medical reasons, so I've no experience of getting anywhere while having contractions. Would quite like to be induced again, as bit scared about going into labour and then having to get somewhere...

However if all is fine with current pregnancy then I might be asked/advised to find somewhere more local, so just looking at the options.

Have considered a home birth if all is fine, but husband is dead against it as he thinks it's dangerous. I know it's up to me but don't want to be in a position where he was right and everything goes wrong...

Hi msdibble - for low risk mothers having a second or subsequent baby home birth is as safe as going to hospital - you can get the midwife to tell your husband this! You won't find an experienced midwife in the UK who will tell you any different.

The Crocus team of midwives (who do home births) in Croydon are outstanding. And actually the birth centre at Mayday is also VERY good with lovely staff. I have lived in Croydon for ages and have yet to hear a single critical comment about the birth centre. It really is that good. Labour ward is variable. Most people get decent care there. Postnatal and antenatal is a bit shit. Too busy. I wouldn't want to be induced there.

Have you given Kings a ring also?

I have had four babies at Mayday, the last one 3 weeks ago. I know they have a bad rep but, honestly, I can't fault them.

First birth there was emergency c section, next 3 were induced. The care I received each time was first class.

Yes, the post natal ward wasn't a lot of fun, but really not that bad.

I've had 3 babies at mayday. Dd was born on labour ward 8 years ago, ds1 in the birth unit 6 years ago and ds2 on labour ward last dec.

All were fine. Care during labour has always been great. Post natally not so much but I doubt you'd get great service anywhere round here, they're so stretched.

When I was pregnant you hear so many 'oh don't go there' stories, if I'd listened to them all my babies would have just had to stay put.

Good luck with your pregnancy and birth :)

I'm 18 weeks and having my antenatal at croydon and so far very impressed, went to epu a few times and great service.

The birth unit has been redone and apparently really nice.

I met a couple of midwives at an early pregnancy open evening they held and everyone seemed really nice.

I'd rather be Able to get somewhere quickly when needed

Thanks to all.

I appreciate that postnatally it is crap everywhere, which is a shame as it is such an important time.

I had a neighbour who had a bad experience in the birth centre - involved her being rushed off the theatre due to a problem with the placenta after the baby was born - and it has put me off a bit.

Will consider it if all is OK and I am cleared to go to a less specialist hospital though.