Whittington or Royal Free hospital?

[StellaWilke]

Hi,

I'm 20 weeks' pregnant and recently moved to Tufnell Park, so need to transfer from King's College (my hospital in South London).

Can people le me know about experiences at the Whittingon and Royal Free? Have heard great things about both and websites suggest good things. However have also heard horror stories so now conflicted!

Had heart set on midwife-led birth centre. Whittington looks fantastic but hear it's currently closed to Coronavirus... Guess it's impossible to know how things will look in early August.

I found some old threads but would appreciate any advice that's more current.

Sending love and solidarity to all those giving birth right now, it's such a crazy time. Hope you're getting all the support you need.

Thanks,
Stella

Hi Stella, I haven’t actually had my baby yet but can’t speak highly enough about the care I’ve received at the Whittington so far! Love that I see the same midwife every time too (I know that isn’t the case at UCH, not sure about Royal Free though). I’m also in Tufnell Park and like being walking distance from the hospital. I’ve got my fingers crossed for the birthing centre as well, guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

@ASNW5 thanks so much for sharing your experience, I appreciate it. Great to hear you're seeing the same person, that feels like a luxury these days. When are you due? Hope the birthing centre opens again asap. Good luck!

End of May - thank you! They really are great there.

If you're in Tufnell Park then Whittington. I gave birth at the Whittington 10 years back and they were mostly great. Downside was the post natal ward but sadly that is a common issue across most hospitals. I think that is The community midwife team were excellent both ante and post natal. Hopefully that is still the case.....

I had my first at the Whittington Birth Centre 5 years ago and am soon to have my second child there. Fantastic experience, and got to see the same midwife throughout my pregnancy (though different now during labour of course).
It was only a few mins by cab from Tufnell Park, which was a relief when I was in labour at 3am!

Also, I didn't realise it was closed for Covid... it says on their website that pregnant women can access the hospital via the Labour Ward Entrance...?
www.whittington.nhs.uk/default.asp?c=41639

They are having to close the birth centre a lot at the moment due to staff shortages, but have been assured they will try to recreate the birth centre experience as much as poss on labour ward if it’s closed when I’m giving birth! And yes you have to enter through labour ward back entrance for all antenatal appointments now too, it’s great as means avoiding main hospital entirely.