stoke newington area - which hospital to go to?

[zabba]

Hello,
I've just found out I am pregnant, and have to decide on a hospital before getting any antenatal care - does anyone have experience they'd be willing to share about the local hospitals? I have been offered Homerton, UCH or the Royal Free. Alternatively, does anyone have advice about where to find info about the hospitals?

Congratulations! I had my first baby at the Homerton. I had shared care with my GP/midwives in Hackney which was fabulous. i was supposed to be having a homebirth but shortage of midwifes meant I ended up in hospital. I had a long and difficult labour, but was well cared for, epidural done within 30 mins of asking for it. Postnatal care also excellent, although I had a private room after a very difficult delivery. I had a dreadful delivery however, I suffered a 4th degree tear and now have a colostomy bag. I'm afraid I've come across 2 other ladies in the last year who had colostomy bags as a result of delivery issues at the HOmerton, a friend broke her pelvis twice in labour which wasn't diagnose for 3 months and met another lady who's baby nearly died after having been prescribed 'safe' antibiotics for breastfeeding, which weren't. I'm afraid I can't recommend the Homerton on that basis.

UCH - friends have had great ante-natal and labour/delivery experiences there, but the postntal wards are grotty. To be honest, i don't hink I've come across ANY postnatal wards in London which aren't!

I don't have experience of the Royal Free.

HTH a little?

xx

Strongly recommend Royal Free. Have had two very happy births there, the most recent 3 weeks ago. Overhauled labour ward is very swish compared to peeling paint and broken labouring beds I saw four years ago. Midwives in labour ward excellent on both occasions; active natural birth encouraged (there is also a birth centre for wider choice of natural birthing options). Post natal ward fairly grotty, but staff also very responsive - and it's the people that matter most, not the surroundings (just bring anti-bacterial wipes).

i had my dd at the homerton a year ago. very positive experience. i have complicated pregnancies & spent a lot of time there.... post natal ward was a bit grim, but i think that's true everywhere.

sorry you had such a grim time spudballoo.

Thanks very much, that's really useful - it's hard to make a decision based on what my GP had said, but that has clarified things for me -sorry to hear about your bad experience, spudballoo

Hi Zabba, you can go to any hospital. I had my dd at the Whittington in April, labour on and off for a week and slightly complicated labour. The midwives of who I met many were fantastic. The consultants, most of which are women were also really friendly and bloody good at their jobs. I work at the homerton and personally wouldn't go there because of the post natal care. But again the Whittington were lovely and being a nurse is really difficult when you go to hospital, but it really impressed me. Good luck in your choice.