Anyone having any experience at the Whittington Hospital (North London) recently?

[bubaki76]

Hi ladies, I am currently 34w+2 and in the process of agreeing a birth plan with the consultant; I am 44, with an IVF pregnancy after secondary infertility and multiple mc's (including an early stillbirth) so was considered high risk this time around.
I am being seen at UCHL and always assumed my care would conclude there until the end but as we are discussing the possibility of a planned C- section as I am terrified to go through an early induction at 39 weeks and the stress of it all after a horrendous natural birth experience with my (now 9 year old son) DS, I am now told that if I insist on an elective C-section, I will need to be sent to Whittington hospital in Archway.
I did not expect that and chose UCLH for a reason, that's where I had my son and where I feel comfortable. I have never been at Whittington and with Covid there is no prospect for a hospital visit anytime soon, as I am shielding until my due date.
Anyone had a childbirth experience at the delivery ward there? Or knows anything about the hospital please? Many thanks

Hi,

I am currently 40+1 and hopefully will be having my baby at the Whittington in the next few days. I am high risk due to a pre-existing blood condition and have had nothing but excellent care through my whole pregnancy.

They obstetricians and midwives have been extremely supportive and always give me the time to discuss my options and delivery. I have also had two over night stays due to bleeds in my pregnancy and again could not fault the care. The hospital is a little old and tired but that doesn’t bother me at all, your husband or partner can also stay with you the whole time and on the postnatal ward after babies born.

Good Luck with your birth.

Many thanks for that- will you be induced or going in for a planned c-section?
Do they allow partners in during Covid as well? I was told by the consultants at UCLH that partners are only allowed once established labour begins and that they’re sent home- same with caesarians, they are allowed for 2-3 hours and then sent home.
Good luck with your delivery next week!

This Is 7 yrs ago now but I had an elective c section at Whittington and preferred the care there to UCLH where I had my other daughter 4 yrs before. I'm sorry your being forced to make changes but hope you find it ok x

@crystabel thank you for your message, did you have a C-section at UCLH as well?
I am just trying to compare like for like as I have only had a "natural childbirth" experience at UCLH 9 years ago which ended up so heavily medicalized and protracted over nearly 4 days, very close to resulting in an emergency C-section and if I am to have the same reaction this time around, at 44 years of age and amidst Covid, I would much rather opt for an elective C-section frankly, despite being actively discouraged by the UCLH staff.
From a psychological point of view, I am just reluctant to suddenly change hospitals 4 weeks before I am due to deliver, not having set my foot in Whittington before (I really don't adapt well to sudden change!)

I had the same experience at uclh but did get to emergency section so it was a very different experience. After going through all that I just felt elective was right for me but really respect those who have a vbac. My elective c section was very calm at Whittington and I was just so much better. Good luck deciding xx

I gave birth at the Whittington a few years ago - so not recent but I had a very positive experience.
I’ve also heard good things from other people.
I’m due a baby in March and am having her there even though I’ve moved and now have to travel a bit.
All the best!