C-section at UCLH or Whittington

[Nigatsudo]

Hello, very specific question here- has anyone had a planned c-section at the Whittington or been referred there by UCLH (I've been told this is UCLH practice now bc they're so oversubscribed).

I'm registered with UCLH for my twin pregnancy and am leaning towards a planned c-section so trying to learn more about the Whittington if they're going to be sending me there.

I called its Birth Centre today and they told me c-section mums are kept on a big ward of 10 beds and don't get private rooms. I've also read the showers are communal. This doesn't sound ideal, especially being on a big ward with twins.

Thanks in advance for your input!

I can’t speak to the Whittington, but having recently given birth via semi elective c section at UCLH (and having spent quite a long time there…), I heard that it was in fact relatively unusual to be sent to the Whittington, despite what they say. The main issue can be if you need the section earlier than booked, in which case they’re all so busy it can be hard to fit you in if you’re likely to need neonatal beds. Mine wasn’t a twin pregnancy but was deemed necessary to have neonatal cot space available - I did ultimately have the baby at UCLH but I was there under monitoring for days where they’d ring round all the other hospitals to see if they had space for us that day (they never did, which wasn’t entirely reassuring). Anyway, it may be best to have some idea of all of the other hospitals in the region because they did ask my preferences too. If twins come in as a semi emergency (where they’ll want to deliver them earlier than planned but not necessarily immediately then it can obviously be even harder to get neonatal space) (I was also told they will keep some cots spare in the case of very last minute immediate emergencies - just to reassure you).

I had a vaginal birth at the Whittington. From memory there were two private rooms available. I got one as I had a traumatic birth and was kept in for five days. The room opposite was given to a mum who had a c-section. I will say the post birth wing was lovely and clean. I think it had just been refurbished when I was there. I guess who they allocate the rooms to will depend on the severity of cases on any given day, but i would have thought twins and c-section might put you near the top of the list. I'd try calling the labour ward rather than the birth centre if you can.

I've had a baby at both but a few years back now. I think UCLH is the better hospital, particularly for twins. Loved my elective there, all of my maternal care was smooth whereas I found the Whittington chaotic.
(I also had a private room at Whittington due to difficult forceps delivery. Didn't at UCLH but the wards are small and my cubicle was a nice size :)
Good luck!

Thank you all!