North Middlesex Hospital?!?!?

[camillala]

Hi- I'm wondering if anyone can help me. I saw my GP for the 1st time today since finding out I'm pregnant and he asked me to choose a hospital. A friend had recommended Barnet but my GP was reluctant to book me there for some reason and said I should choose between North Midd and Harlow. I picked North Midd as it's a bit closer to where I live but have now read all the horrific reviews and am really nervous! Has anyone had a good experience there lately? Or any advice about Harlow, or whether I should push for Barnet?!? Very confused!!!

Thanks!

Usually you can book a tour around the labour ward/Maternity unit, I would do that if I was you. You always hear bad stuff about hospitals, I went to whipps cross for my baby and heard lots of bad things especially on the news recently!! But my DD was born in December and I had the best experience there and it was down to the staff and midwives that delivered my baby. I reckon it's all down to the staff you have but you can definitely have good time in a hospital you've heard horror stories about. Good luck

Avoid it if possible, it does not have good rep. I lived near it when pregnant with dd and ended up going to Whittington. My gp was very grumpy when I told her that I self referred, she wanted me to go to north mid. Barnet should have a new birth center soon, I would call to see if you can tour and transfer in if you like it. There are other options depending on your location. My dd was born in 2011 we moved right after, but heared horror stories about them although things could of changed.

Had my first at North Mid. I had a really good experience. All the staff I saw were kind and caring. Couldn't fault it. By the time my second came we were closer to Whittington and it wasn't as good to be honest. I had a failed spinal and it was converted to GA. Wasn't what happened as such, but the way nobody came to explain what had happened.

just to clarify, I had a birthing centere birth at Whittington which was very good, the postnatal wards do look horrid in there so I don't know what is like if you had interventions but I could imagine it would not be good. I think Barnet is your best bet really their new maternity unit looks great on the website. I would of gone there for the second but they did not have it yet and we missed it just like by one month or something. I ended up going to stevenage instead.

I had my dd2 at Harlow, they were amazing, I did have a low risk birth, I was the only lady in the ward after ( I know this is unusual) had no complaints.
I had a home birth with Ds3 but had to be taken to Harlow after due to a bad tear. Had to spend the night, again the staff were faultless by coincidence was the only lady in the ward again!! Just lucky I think.
Very good hospital, I agree with others book some tours and go and see each hospital and see how you feel x good luck x

I had a baby at The North Middlesex nearly 25 years ago!

It has had money poured into it & apparently has a state of the art birth centre. I had ante natel care at The North Middlesex 6 years a go & had just one mw for every appointment. I gave birth at Edgware Birth Centre.

It's had a very bad reputation but to be honest I'm booked into the Whittington & if I wasn't 39 weeks I'd probably transfer.

Again as others gave said, have a look at different hospitals.

I gave birth to both of my girls in nth mid hos. The first time was ok although i was made to feel an inconvenience. The second time i felt almost abused at the way the midwife treated me the staff had no patiences with me even though i did not scream or demand anything, i was polite and i gave birth in 20 mins. I believe had i not been alone (due to unforeseen circumstances) and the ward wasn't so busy that day, the story would have been a little different. I reckon its just luck of the draw sometimes you get a good midwife or poorly mannered nurse that can change everything. Just make sure you have a line up of possible birth partners ready day or night that have easy access to your intended birthing place.