Question about Kingston Hospital specifically

[SamN]

I am glad Bouj posted that message about SW hospitals and I was interested to see the responses. I am currently in a bit of a quandary. I'm booked at C&W where I had my son - would agree that aftercare is bad but the community midwives in my area (Putney) are great and that's the main reason I stuck with them. But we're moving to Kingston in 2 wks (by which time I'll be about 36 wks by my reckoning)! Have been told that they have to accept us if we've moved into the area - but don't know if that's true or not. Also want a home birth and have heard they're not very supportive of that. Anyone in Kingston area who's transferred there v. late and/or managed to book a home birth with them? (Don't have enough money for an independent midwife cos we've stretched ourselves enough just with the house buying.)

Thanks

Sam

Hi Sam,

I tried to book a homebirth in Kingston but had a very unsympathetic GP and I was in no mood to fight. My community mid-wife though was very supportive of home-birth and if I'd had the energy to switch gp and push for it I think I would have got it: I believe that by law you're entitled to be attended: it's just that they make you feel guilty here - but I am talking about 2 years ago so maybe things have changed.

Thanks for that Hatter. Could you let me know who your GP was so I don't book in with them? In case you don't want to slag them off in 'public' I've sent my e-mail address to you via the 'contact another talker' link although you might not get it until Monday.

Sam

The GP's surgery is in Surbiton - so if you're looking to register with a gp that's in Kingston proper you'll avoid them anyway

Sam, a homebirth is no business of your GP's. When you move into the area just contact the supervisor of midwives at the hospital, saying you have just moved to the area, intend to have a homebirth (don't ask if you can, tell them you area0 and request that a supportive midwife be allocated.

No-one can allow you a homebirth, it is your right.

Hi Julie

I know it's not up to the GP but I would prefer a supportive one if poss. The first thing I tried was just to call the midwives directly, but the prob is that I'm transferring so late, and Kingston is pretty full - so I need to show that I really have moved into the area otherwise they just won't consider me at all. Hence the need for a referral from a new GP.

This has been backed up by my current GP who says that unless women are under 11 wks pg any referrals have been sent straight back to her for booking at other hospitals.

Sam

Samn you could consider a doula (£300 to £500) though at 36 weeks most are fully booked in that area - however it's worth a try. You can contact me off line if you want some recommendations.
Most GPs have no objection to home birth if woman had already given birth.... but I agree it's none of their business and AIMS can help you with that.
If you had a straight forward first birth - go on have a homebirth!

Sam.... if you go into labour and turn up at Kingston I'd doubt they throw you out.....