ELCS at Queen Charlotte's Hammersmith

[studentvera]

Hi there I have an ELCS at Queen Charlotte's next week and am really nervous! Has anyone who has had one there tell me a little about it and talk me through your experience?

Thank you in advance!!

Hi there
I haven't had an ELCS at Queen Charlotte's but did have an EMCS there in 2011. The whole thing was much calmer than I expected, even though it was an emergency, and the theatre staff were all really lovely and reassuring. There are a LOT of people there, which initially freaked me out - but they're all doing a job, and will do everything they can to make you feel comfortable and calm.
As you will know, QCH is purely a maternity hospital, though next to Hammersmith Hospital, which I think gives it a really special vibe. And it means that they get some really great staff there.
If I had one criticism, it would be that the post-natal care wasn't great. For example, a midwife tried to get me to give my baby a bottle the night of delivery even though I was trying desperately hard to breastfeed. I got the feeling she just wanted DS to be quiet! I resisted and eventually got the knack of breastfeeding once someone took the time to help me - but I felt quite bullied and alone on the first night.
I was in hospital for a week (I had a uterine infection after my waters leaked early - wasn't clocked) and after five nights transferred to the private ward (Stanley Clayton). It was eye wateringly expensive but at that point I would have given my right arm for a room of my own and some peace!
The food isn't great and the café downstairs isn't up to much (SO jealous of hospitals that have an M&S food!) but DH brought lots of goodies in.
Best of luck, I really hope it goes smoothly for you. I'm back there in August, hopefully having a VBAC but we shall see... if I go for an ELCS, I'll be picking your brains in return!

Thank you so much baking bunting - good to hear someone's experience. Am so nervous about it all

Try not to be. They are good at it! Good friend had ELCS there and said it was an amazing experience. She had to wait around quite a lot (emergencies obviously take precedence) but she wouldn't hesitate to recommend QCH.

Shameless bump - anyone else...