west middlesex or kingston?

[josaucek]

We're currently bookd into Kingston for our second, after having ds at Queen Charlotte's and having a bad experience.

We're thinking of changing to west middlesex hospital after reading some bad reviews about Kingston, but it's also easy to find bad reviews about West Middlesex!

I would be so grateful for any experiences of both Kingston and West Mid! My aftercare at QC last time was so awful (left in shower in own blood after epidural, unable to call nurse, get out and get to crying baby, left without water for 3 hours...) and I just don't want to go through it again!

I know it's easier to find bad reviews than good, but we need to request the change asap, so I would be really interested to hear any views!
Thanks!

I had my two dd's at west middlesex and didn't have any problems. I had them both by c-section so was in for a few nights after each time and it was fine.

I had my daughter at West Middlesex and thought it was excellent. Really nice midwives, consultants etc. I'd definitely go there again.

Had dd at Kingston - high risk pregnancy and delivery ending in c-sec. Had great antenatal care, delivery and postnatal care. Everyone we saw always had lots of time to explain what was going on and would explain it over and over again if necessary. My consultant worked hard to ensure we could stay at kingston rather than be transferred due to a shortage of neonatal beds. Perhaps these are luck due to the consultants/doctors I saw but I did see most of the doctors and midwives during my time .

I was always a bit concerned that kingston was a bit c-section happy as their figures are higher than average. Although I ended up with a c-sec I felt they tried everything they could have done to get dd out naturally. Even when it ended up with c-sec the doctor was very firm about dd getting to me as quickly as possible (despite having to have various checks) and to stay with me.

Think they now have waterbirth rooms as well as the malden suite.

Private rooms (pretty much standard issue) were great.

Sorry that went on a bit but we were v. impressed by our care there. Although I think a lot of luck comes into it wherever you go.

hi
had dd at West Mid though ante natal was ok also during very long labour, MW quite busy and a bit stretched but there always someone when we needed them.
dd had to go to SCBU for the first night and we had to fight to get things done our way, dd in my room with me taking her to the unit for antibiotic, this was a precautionary measure.
i also had to put pressure on them to get her results back so that we could go home or otherwise plan the stay for treatment.
in the ward there was an acute shortage of staff with lots of agency and few qualified MW on each shift (only one during night)
the breastfeeding support WAS DREADFUL nearly made me give up.

i was there for 4 nights and was v. happy and lucky that dh could stay with me for most of the day
sorry long post