Queen Charlottes v. Chelsea & Westminster

[aquasea]

Hi everyone,

I just found this site and am desperately hoping someone might be able to help me. I am 15 weeks pregnant with my first baby. So far it's been a nightmare - I got a pulmonary embolism, was in hospital and now have to inject anticoagulants twice a day. I have been cared for by C&W hospital but have found the NHS system there horrific (lack of patient care, almost impossible to see any consultants, bumbling errors etc etc). I was told by the Ostetrician at C&W that I would have to give birth in a big NHS teaching hospital because I am "high risk". He went on to say that the NHS maternity wards at C&W are "zoos", that I would be horrifically sleep deprivied and that the experience of being on the public ward would be "intensely distressing" and that I would have to stay in hospital longer than normal as my risk of clotting is much much higher after giving birth. I am so upset and worried about this. It sounds like hell. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with C&W they could share with me. I have heard good things about Queen C's. Any info on this would be gratefully received as well. I just feel like I can't get any help from doctors, midwives... I feel trapped and very alone. Please help!
Thanks
xx

Hi Aquasea,
No, this is my 3rd baby but the first time I've had a clot. Don't know if I'd have gone on to have another 2 if I'd had a clot in the first I've been warned that if I get pregnant again I'd have to be on the injections as soon as we got the BFP which I'd have found a little offputting.

I'm 18 weeks at the moment and am not enjoying the injections. My stomach is horribly bruised which I've been told could be down to the baby aspirin I'm also taking.

Do they know what caused your clot? They don't know whats caused mine, probably down to my age and pregnancy.

If you are going to try to transfer to QC you need to do it quickly because even when I got referred to them they were filling up fast for May 2007.

Let me know how you get on.
Sue

Just come home from a birth at C&W. It was lovely. The midwives were fantastic! My client was in the birthing unit. They were very hands off and she had a wonderful birth. Less pleasant was the woman who did the stitches. Rather rough and not hugely sensitive. However, the senior midwife and the midwife that was in attendance for the birth both apologised unreservedly.

I wasn't expecting it to be such a positive experience (esp after reading this thread) but wanted to share the experience that we (my client and I) had!

Hi Peacemaker...

I am so sorry I haven't been in contact for ages - my comp died. I just saw your message. I know what you mean about the injections, they just don't seem to get any easier. Are you putting ice on the area? I have found that if I put ice immediately where I injected and keep it there basically until the area goes numb, that can help with the bruising (and the pain). They don't know exactly what caused my clot but I apparently do have some genetic factor which could have contributed. I am now booked in with QC under Mr McCarthy. I am having a scan tomorrow (19 weeks) and can't wait. I still haven't felt the baby move (at least I don't think I have) and so it will be a weight off my mind to know that even though things have been so bad with me, the little one is fine.
It would be great to stay in contact with you (if you see this message!). If you would like I can give you my email address so we can stay in touch...
Anyway, I sincerely hope that all is going well with you and the baby.
Take care.
Aqua xx

Hi Aqua,
How did the scan go?
I'm under Mr McCarthy too Have you actually met him yet? I think I may be meeting him next Tuesday at an appointment but so far I've seen a different doctor each time.
I've got my 20 week scan (though I'll be 21 weeks and 6 days) on Friday. We're quite nervous about it because at the nuchal scan in November we were told our baby had a 1:21 chance of having Downs Syndrome. Hopefully this scan will tell us one way or the other what to expect.
I did try the ice but it didn't help me and if anything made the bruising worse. I was told by someone else going through the same thing that it could be because of the aspirin we're on, making the bruising worse

Aqua,
Meant to say, your welcome to email me at peacemakerukuk at yahoo co uk

Hi aquasea, I actually had a really good experience at C&W - I think it's just luck of the draw as to what midwife you get at the time, which would go for any NHS hospital. I used the 'active birth' room which was brilliant.

I also has a friend that has had three children at C&W, all high risk pregnancies, and she found them great.

I have to agree through, the maternity ward afterwards was not great.

Good luck!

Hey Aquasea - I know how you feel. I'm booked in to have my first at C&W at the end of May and reading this thread and others has scared me silly. Having said that my cousin had her 2nd there at midday today!! Just got the SMS so will give her a few days and ask her how it went. She had her first there 2 years ago and except for some rudeness from one of the midwives obviously had no issues going back.

She doesn't stick around though - she will be home in a couple of hours but they live in Chelsea about 5 mins drive away so it's not a big journey home. I'm about 15 mins drive away from C&W so it sounded good to be close to home. I'm not sure now if I will try and change hospitals but what I am seriously looking at now is getting a birthing Doula on board. That way I have someone I trust to 'keep the bastards honest' and giving me the proper care. That way my Mum and DH who will also be there won't have to be the tough guys!