Hospital an hour away?

[MisssMarion]

So I live in Kent, very close to a hospital (William Harvey) currently rated 'inadequate' for their maternity services due to a baby deaths scandal... It would be the obvious choice for me to give birth there (since they're the closest hospital) and I know they're making changes as they're under a lot of scrutiny, but I can't get what happened there out of my head. My other option (Pembury) is an hour drive away... and I'm not sure that's reasonable. This will be my second baby, and my first labour was 31 hours, if it's relevant.
What would you do? Have you registered with a hospital that's quite far?
Thanks!

Go for pembury!
I was induced - happy to share more details
Its was me that nearly died not baby
But PTSD and a awful experience
I would urge you not to give birth at WHH

Dc1- 36 hours from start to finish from the first contraction, probably about 8 hours of active labour

dc2- 2 hours from first contraction to giving birth, on my notes it says technically 5 minutes of active labour, I was checked on arrival and was only 4cm dilated and then boom 5 mins later baby was here.

all that to say, just because your first labour was longer don’t assume your second will be. It could go either way though so you need to feel fully confident with your choice.
I think I would personally register for the one you feel more comfortable with (an hour away) but be prepared to be fully flexible (things prepared for a home birth in case, or nearer hospital) depending on how it all unfolds on the day.

Thanks for your advice, I'm definitely taking it into account... I'm so sorry you had a traumatic experience.

Thanks, I still haven't made up my mind. I definitely want to go with the one where I feel the safest, but as you say I should be flexible should things go faster than expected...

OP I'm feeling stressed by the Pembury report. Have you decided what to do? I have been twice for booking and scan (it's about 45 min from me, I'm closer to the conquest) and all seemed nice but the report really spooked me and I'm considering switching hospitals.

pembury is my nearest hospital too, did u decide?

@MisssMarion @WolfMother326 Curious to know if you switched from Pembury?

deleted as I didn’t realise was an old thread- and I’d already posted at the time!

@SevenCat I ended up sticking with Pembury and actually had to stay in hospital for 12 days. Generally had a wonderful experience. A few Communication issues between teams impacted me, like the consultants not talking to the dr doing antenatal care etc but overall I thought it was fantastic, better than my birth in London and very kind attentive staff.

@WolfMother326 That's great to hear. I'm glad it all went well! Thank you for responding!