Homerton or UCH?

[RebeccaNoodles]

Hi, I wondered if anyone had experience of either of these? I'm 9 weeks, this is my first pregnancy and at 39 will probably be high risk (?) New to all this ... Distance is about the same. I'm not fussed about water/homebirth stuff. I've had great care at Homerton previously for gynae surgery/fertility - but I know they had several deaths in the maternity unit in 2013/14 which makes me nervous.

Thanks for any advice, would be gratefully received!

No experience of Homerton (except for non-baby-related outpatient things) but I had two babies at UCH. I wouldn't go anywhere else. It's a teaching hospital so the doctors are fantastic. My births had complications and the medical care was second to none. And all scans from 12 weeks are carried out by two doctors - friends who had babies out of London didn't always get to see a doctor for their scans. So hopefully you won't need medical help when you go into labour but it's very reassuring to know it's there.

Only downside is there's nowhere to park. So if your DP brings you to hospital in labour they'll then have to drive around trying to find a parking space. Taxi might be a better bet. You're allowed to park outside for 5 minutes to pick up you and the baby when you go home though.

I was 38 with my first and 40 with my second. They treated this as completely normal and most of the other women I saw seemed to be around my age. Friend who gave birth at Homerton said mums were much younger. Hope that helps!

That's brilliant, thanks. We don't have a car so if that's the only deal-breaker, that's fine! Congratulations on your two babies (and I'm glad they didn't make you feel elderly ...!)

The deaths were (iirc) related to patients who refused blood transfusions.

Homerton is generally thought to be very good for maternity.

Thanks Ducky - that's useful to know. I looked it up and that was the case in one, but not all of the deaths, according to this and other articles www.standard.co.uk/news/health/flaws-found-at-homerton-hospital-after-deaths-of-four-pregnant-women-in-one-year-10138177.html. But as I said, I have had excellent treatment in Homerton before. If it was my only option I'd be fine with it but given that they told me to choose I wanted to gather more info.

DD gave birth at UCLH in the summer and was very impressed.

Hi

I gave birth at the Homerton Hospital a year ago and was delighted. Gave birth in the birth centre. Midwife was lovely, had a completely natural birth and was discharged 6 hours later.
The only downside to the Homerton, imho, is that they can get very busy and you might need to wait. I ended up waiting in the waiting room for over 2 hours as they were full and had no room. But as soon as I was admitted, they were amazing and i'd definitely recommend.

Hope this helps.