Hello, have recently moved to St Albans and have just found out we're expecting number 2.
Had a rather mixed experience of giving birth to DS in London (UCLH). In particular, I was denied an epidural because the labour ward was full and then (after a number of hours) when a space became available I was told that there was no anaesthetist available to give it to me. Which is not what you want to hear when you've been in absolute agony for 28 hours...
Anyway, to cut a long story short we need to decide where to have Baby 2, and my experiences have left me determined to get a) an epidural (unless there's a medical reason not to of course) and b) a private room after the birth, rather than being stuck on a horrendous ward.
Can anyone share their experiences in relation to Watford and Lister hospitals on the above (or more generally) please? Has anyone ever heard of women being denied epidurals due to a lack of resources (no doubt it can happen anywhere from time to time but it seems all too common an occurrence at UCLH...)
And what about private rooms? I see the Lister advertises amenity rooms and 'side rooms' (whatever these are) but I've heard these tend to be offered to young mums/people deemed to be in particular need rather than those willing to pay privately. Has anyone tried and failed/tried and succeeded to get one?
I'm tempted by 'room only' at the Knutsford in Watford, but get the impression that the Lister overall is a better hospital, and that the Knutsford rooms are reserved for people going fully private. So I don't want to go there just so I can get a room in Knutsford, only to be told there aren't any.
Sorry for rather long and rambling post, any guidance gratefully appreciated.