Experiences of UCLH or Homerton Hospital (London)?

[lblythe]

Hi all,

I’ve searched the site for opinions on this but the only ones I can find are old so I thought I might get some up to date opinions with a new post.

I live in N1 and so far have had all my antenatal care and scans at Homerton Hospital. Everyone I’ve seen so far has been amazing (midwives, sonographers etc) but I have mentioned that I’m planning on giving birth at the Homerton to a couple of women and they’ve asked why I haven’t gone for UCLH as it’s such an amazing hospital. As I live so centrally I had a lot of hospital options open to me which was a bit overwhelming! A bit of background: this is my first baby, I’ve been taking hypnobirthing classes and all being well I would like to deliver on a midwife-led birthing unit, ideally a water birth if it all works out on the day. That said, it’s my first so I can’t guarantee I won’t be screaming for an epidural when the day comes around!

I know that UCLH has more birthing rooms on their midwife-led unit than Homerton, but I wonder if I have less chance of getting into one as it is a much busier hospital? I have also heard very unpleasant things about the post-natal care at both – I hope to BF so to not be booted out within a matter of hours would be ideal!

If anybody has any recent experience of either hospital it would be very much appreciated as I’m able to switch hospitals at any time if I choose to.

Many thanks in advance!

I gave birth at UCLH last year. Elective C-section. Had an excellent experience. Best place for high risk pregnancy as their NICU is first class. I think post natal care is a bit rubbish wherever you go TBH. If your pregnancy is low risk just go where you feel comfortable.

I had my baby at Homerton in 2013. It was an induction at 34+5 weeks and he was in scbu for 12 days. I cannot recommend it highly enough. The pre natal care was fantastic and the post natal care too.
I've had another baby since at a different hospital and it's shown me even more how good they were!

UCLH is a very busy teaching hospital so the chances of you being able to stay there for any length of time after the birth is minimal. I had a haemorrhage after an ELCS there a couple of years ago and was still kicked out the next day, despite feeling awful and asking to stay.
There was a thread about UCLH on here a couple of weeks ago you might find helpful.

I've had 4 babies over 10 years (2006-2016), all in Homerton. It has declined greatly over that time, but my experience has been ok, not great. The prenatal care is very good however.

My first birth you were 'allowed' to stay for 3 days. My 3rd and 4th were c-sections and they were itching to get rid of me after 24 hours. The care was abysmal, and at one point I was directed to drain my own catheter in the early hours of the morning, simply because no one could be bothered to do it. The midwives are hit and miss. Some are helpful, and others less so. I wouldn't have a baby there as a first choice these days.

Thanks for your help ladies, opinions on this kind of thing are always such a mixed bag!

I'm going to view the birth centre and the delivery suite at the Homerton this week so will see how I feel after that.

Hi Iblythe - struggling with the same decision here. What have you decided in the end please? Thanks xx

Hey I had a baby 6 months ago and was originally booked in with St Thomass. I moved my care at 13 weeks as I had 3 bad encounters - all different people, all of them were dreadful.

I moved to UCLH and felt immediately Better. It’s busy - but they are in control.

At 37 weeks I ended up spending a week in Homerton (brought there in ambulance) and so I had experience of the maternity services.

I would say that UCLH is head and shoulders above the others.

I found Homerton - both the ante natal area and delivery suite - to be cramped and the nurses very variable.

UCLH - I had an elective c section - which was just amazing! Post natal and BF support excellent

Thank you so much MySuperSecretName xx