UCH, Whittington or St Mary's any opinions?

[Annie105]

Hi all I'm in my first trimester with my first baby and still working out where to give birth after a house move. Does any one out there have any experience of birth at the above hospitals? I'm currently having some counselling as I've always had a terrible phobia of pregnancy and birth so I may need to go down an elective caesarean route if I can't improve on my fears!!

Anyway that issue aside for now I would appreciate good or bad feedback on the above or indeed any other local hospitals. I live in Islington now.

Regards

My first was emergency so over a week. Second was elective (but I opted for outside London) and it went really well, hardly any blood loss, straightforward recovery, up the same night after surgery, so was 2 nights. I think 2--3 nights is typical if everything has gone well and you are mobile and have gone go the loo, feel well etc. It really depends on how you and the baby are doing though.

UCH. Excellent care before and after.

I think I'm going to see if I can request a maternity tour of both UCH and Whittington. I've come across a reasonably local doula who supports elective cesarean too so have sent her an email. Thanks for that tip. UCH does seem to have world class facilities and consultants on the reading up I've done the last couple of days so my husband is really leaning towards it. the duration of recovery was quite quick for you then abbey?

I had my DS in the birth centre at St Marys and it was amazing! We had a private, big room with a en suite bath room, double bed, it was honestly like a hotel. The midwives were amazing. I would completely recommend it.

Sadly a week later I had to spend the night on the main post natal ward as DS was under the lamp for jaundice and it was awful. So cramped, noisey, dirty and full of other people's partners, which basically meant strange men watching you breastfeeding. The bathroom was shared between everyone as far as I can tell and there was no shower, only a bath.....!

The medical staff and the care they gave us all was amazing in both locations and I would highly recommend SMH, just try and go to the birth centre!!

Yes, my immediate recovery was quite quickly both times as I was up and out of bed quite quickly, catheter out etc. It takes a good month or more to be completely back to normal though for driving, lifting etc, and the second time I had a toddler so not much resting possible so that was harder! If you're otherwise fit and healthy you should be fine by your 6 week check. If you can get help round the house for the first few weeks though I would. I think because it's birth, other people can forget it's major surgery and expected me to be back to normal straight away!

Mrs 05 thanks for the St Mary's feedback. I've heard good reports about the birth centre there too. Just not sure if I will be able to birth naturally. So frustrating to have this fear. All these post natal wards sound pretty grim . I would hate to have other men around with only a curtain separating you from your noises mess pain etc. I'd be so embarrassed!!
Abbey good advice too I think I'll definitely have my mum fly over and stay as long as she can to help after as this is my first baby I don't have a clue! I've never even fed or changed a baby before. I'm devouring books!

I've got a GP appointment next week to discuss my pregnancy and will be bring up my fears surrounding a natural birth again. Not that a major operation like a CS sounds any less terrifying. I so admire you ladies who do this with confidence x

Hi all thought I would update this in case anyone else is considering the above hospitals. I've decided to go with Whittington. I'm due my consultant appointment later this week to discuss ELCS. Hoping it will be a supportive and reassuring meeting. Have to say very worried about it. So far I've only had booking in and a community midwife appt. I'm doing my scans privately. The Whittington will not do a tour of the wards (only the birth centre) and I did discuss the ward with a mother I met there who said it was pretty grim with practically no sleep, rude other people talking in phones at all hours during her 3 night stay (no option to request private room) and the bathroom situation wasn't great what with all men as well as women using it.. Shudder!!

Hi! I've had 3 at the Whittington. The antenatal care is fantastic, especially if you are consultant lead. Post natal varies, I was lucky as it was tolerable with my first (first 24 hours on the ward were rotten, but then I got a side room). My second went to nicu so I went to Murray ward (antenatal) which was quiet and I was well looked after. My third I was on postnatal but it was unusually quiet and it was fine. All csections. I have a lot of friends who have had babies there, interestingly all either very straightforward or CS. I'm sure they do instrumental deliveries, but I get the impression that if you want a CS you get one.