Private Rooms Post Birth at St Mary's London or UCLH

[london90]

Hello,

Wondering if anyone has any recent experience with either of these 2 hospitals for childbirth?

My first, early days (8 weeks) and have only had a private scan so no known complications yet.

They are both 15 minutes (no traffic) from our home and we cannot decide which to go for.

From reading reviews the negatives so far;
UCLH - different midwife each appointment
Both - have terrible post natal wards

Has anyone opted for a private room at either of these hospitals post birth? If so what was the cost, was it easy to arrange and what was your experience?

Thank you!

There are no paid-for private rooms at UCLH now for NHS patients.

You have to go 100% private care to have one. Gave birth there in July and inquired at the time.

The private rooms are not bookeable in advance - if at the time they are free, you or your partner can ask for one, but priority is given to women who have had a traumatic birth or sad outcome, so they may not be available.

You might not need the post natal ward either.

I didn't with either of mine and was discharged from the labour ward / birth centre.

I've used the birthing centre at St Mary's which isn't private. But you get your own room, with a double bed and a bath. Your partner can stay aswell. Its like a spa.

The only thing is you need a low risk pregnancy and can only have gas and air.

It was amazing though.

However, upstairs in the regular labour and postnatal ward is horrific. With my first child I had an epidural so couldn't use the birthing centre.

The labour ward had me out of the room 20 min after giving birth and into the postnatal ward where by my dh had to leave as it wasn't visiting and I was left to look after the baby when I could barely move from the drugs.

The beds were so close together that people were banging into my baby's crib. There is also no privacy.

UCLH private ward was refurbished a couple of months ago so it’s really nice now.

They don’t offer private room only though, only fully private.