East London Hospitals - recent experiences please!

[Mitchell2]

Anyone got recent experiences at the Royal London, Barkantine, Hommerton? Currently in a quandary as to where I should chose, so recent experiences would be appreciated

I had my DD on 20/07 at Homerton. When I first got there I was checked over then told to wait in the waiting room for a bed to be ready. I was in the waiting room for an hour and felt really uncomfortable labouring in front of people (including a couple of small children!!). I wasn't allowed to stay in the 'triage' bit of maternity to wait, even though I didn't see anyone else go in while I was there.

When I got to the Labour Ward, the midwife I had was so lovely. I asked for an epidural, but was refused it by the anaestatist (sp?) because my labour had progressed quickly and they thought she would be here by the time it worked.

As it was she got stuck and took a few more hours to be delivered which I did with no pain relief-Gas and Air was offered, but I don't like it. As a result of her getting stuck, I had loads of people rush into the room to help get her out. They were all fantastic. I can not fault them at all.

If I were to have another (unlikely, she is No3!!), I would go there again. Not happy with the beginning bit, but the staff were brilliant when it got to the nitty gritty!! The ward afterwards was VERY hot as well.

Thanks Dolallytats - great to hear your experiences. I know nothing about Homerton but some old comments have said it was quite good.

bump - anyone else?

I had my DD at the Homerton a year ago having transferred from UCH due to moving house. I had cholestasis so was classed as high-risk and induced at 37 weeks. I felt the care I received was generally excellent - the midwife who looked after me during labour was fantastic and when I ended up having an assisted delivery, the doctor was clear, calm and fast. My biggest complaint was that the epidural I had didn't work and had to be redone twice, which meant it only kicked in about 45 mins before the birth. There were also minor problems you'd expect from a busy unit - blood test results went missing, the post natal ward was very busy, etc. But overall, I would recommend the Homerton, mainly for the midwives.

I gave birth at the Royal London - I wouldn't again. (Some of the post-natal midwives were great though).

Friends have had good experiences at the Barkantine.