Changing hospital (Surrey), I really need some advice!

[Shaynap84]

Hello all,

I was hoping I could get some advice. I have been living with my partner in Guildford since covid hit.

I am pregnant and due now June 25 this year.

I wanted to move to Richmond, because I like it there and think being in walking distance to cafes and shops and the river will be really nice on maternity leave.

The issue or worry is that I am registered at Royal Surrey, I have had my initial appointments and first scan. I was hoping to do home birth.

I feel like Royal Surrey gone birth team has a lot of positive reviews so don’t want to go somewhere that I won’t have as good of an experience. At the same time, I’m sure Kingston hospital is just as good?

They said I’d deal with the Kingston home north team if I was in Richmond.

Any opinions here?

Should I just stay put in this tiny house and give birth and move after or try to get to Richmond by April 2021 and just move hospital. Will it matter?

We have to move anyways because this house is small, so another option is to quickly move in Guildford and then move again in December (we rent currently) so I can have second half of maternity leave in Richmond.

‘Home’ birth team, not ‘gone’ birth team

I don't know about Kingston hospital (which I am sure is fine) but I was under the Royal Surrey home birth team for both my pregnancies and they were so great during the first one (which involved a transfer to hospital) that we put off moving so we could be under them again during my second pregnancy. We ended up moving when our second child was 5 weeks old.

I saw one of the midwives last year randomly out and about and it brought back such lovely memories. I wanted to run up and hug her, but obviously restrained myself!

That’s really nice to hear ❤️

I have read so many glowing reviews, unusual for nhs anywhere really.

Do you think it would be really tough to move right after if we were all packed up, for example in advance?

I mean we could hire movers so my partner isn’t having to do it all..

Also, I think for the first month they don’t even need their own room really.

But yeah my partner doesn’t want to stay in this house, so it’s complicated.

I would certainly give it a little time after you give birth, you don't know if baby will come early or late, or if they or you will need extra help. We used a solution that is not available to everyone - packers. We paid the company to pack up and unpack in our new place. I walked out of our old house in the morning and into our fully unpacked house in the evening. It was amazing! If you can't do this (or arrange something similar with friends and family- if that is even possible by June) I would leave moving a good three months at least after you give birth just to make sure.

I am completely biased as I love the RSCH's home birth team so much - I really cherish the memory of my labours, and the first was pretty hairy, but I felt completely supported, cared for and that they really knew me and DH. But the best bit about them is the relationship and trust you build with them. If you move to Richmond and Kingston have the same system I would suggest moving asap so you can start building that relationship.

I would agree that baby absolutely doesn't need a bedroom of their own for several months (they recommend at least six months of sharing with you I think). So I wouldn't time your move based on that.

However what I would do if possible is sign up to a bumps and babies group or similar in Richmond, even while you live in Guildford so you can start making lots of contacts there in advance of your move.

Having given birth in Queen Charlotte's when I lived in Richmond and Royal Surrey when I lived there, I would say the Royal Surrey wins hands down for the care I received.

However, should anything go drastically wrong, there's no better place than QC.

If you've given birth easily and will def home birth I would say it prob doesn't matter too much which hospital you go under.

Good luck for June!!

This is comforting, thank you for the reply.

Would you happen to have a view on Richmond vs Guildford?

I am American and 36, and I feel Richmond will better align with my lifestyle and preferences.

I just sort of ended up in Guildford and think that it can be nice but ultimately really want to give Richmond a go.

Any thoughts would be great. I just want to meet people who might be more likeminded. If we moved in Guildford I’d go to the nice part nearer to town..

@Babymamaroon This is my first pregnancy and I am trying to decide between QC and RSCH. I don’t live in either area but the hospitals in my area are all not good so I’ve narrowed it down to these two hospitals.

I know you said QC is better if there’s a problem. Would you recommend it over RSHC for first timers? Or the other way round? I haven’t had any appointments yet.

Hi @SevenCat I think the RSCH would be a better bet for actual midwifery care.

Even several years ago, QC midwives were sparse and flat out.

I definitely preferred RSCH.

I believe QC is a maternity teaching hospital so have fantastic consultants there.

Good luck for your birth! How exciting

Oh that’s good to know. Thanks for the advice @Babymamaroon !!