Hospital distance- advice please

[LeaveMeghanAlone]

Newly pregnant and have no one I can ask. (NC with Mum).

With choosing hospitals, how far away is too far? For context, I live in London and will be requesting ELCS. We don't have a car so would use public transport / Uber. I'm looking at St Thomas, Homerton at the best two. They would be about 40 mins from me on public transport. Is that too far? (I also work in central so for appointments it would be quicker. I'm mainly thinking about if there was an emergency).

There are two hospitals that are closer (30 minutes for one, and another would be 20 minutes away but would need to use Uber as no transport links). HOWEVER both of the two closer ones have got very poor reviews and need improvement.
I think I need a proper hospital rather than birth centre so limited to choosing from those.

I guess people who live in rural areas may well travel 40 minutes to their hospital, but not sure what's normal iyswim.

Please can you advise? Thank you

I’d go for the one you want irrespective of the distance because in an emergency, you can go to your closet one if you have to. Remember the odds of needing to go elsewhere are very low and it would be the same scenario if you had a day trip out of London and needed to go to the nearest hospital then.

It is quite a long way, but I think is probably worth it for peace of mind.

Bear in mind until have a fair amount of appointments, especially with ELCS so be prepared to do that journey a few times.

I am more rural, but chose my 2nd closest hospital which was 30 minutes away rather than 20 minutes. It got a bit of a pain at 40 weeks + treking to the hospital for various appointments.

As you have choice go with whichever you like the most & is most convenient for antenatal appts.

I’m 40 min by car from the hospital I had all my dc at, in normal traffic, possibly 30 in the dead of night with 0 red lights. It’s the closest to us so I didn’t have a choice. When I was in labour with dc3 it took us 1:15 because of heavy traffic. We were just told to call an ambulance if needs be on the way. I had all my consultant appts at a closer hospital, with no mat dept, in a clinic that runs weekly.

I live rurally, I drive and my closest hospital is still 45 minutes away. I’m not planning on a csection.. I don’t think! And I’m also worried about the distance but I suppose I don’t really have another choice as it’s the closest. My mum and my DSis both had very very quick first labours where they had only just made it to the hospital so I’m hoping I make it! Due in January also so I’m hoping it stays snow free!

But I agree with PP, choose the hospital you want, in an emergency go to the one you need.

Wishing you all the best!