Chelsea Westminster Hospital or Tommy’s maternity hospital

[Coomooo]

Hi all,

I am pregnant with my first baby (14 weeks) and I am not from the UK. I recently signed up to the NHS and chose my nearest hospital C&W, however having read recent threads about it, (Louise Thompson’ recent birth trauma there) I am having second thoughts. Has anyone recently given birth there and if so, what was your experience ? I have heard that Tommy’s maternity care is also excellent and wondered if I should switch, due to C&W staffing issues.

Finally, I wanted to ask if going private (for anyone who has done it) is worth it? I’m very nervous by midwife led care, which is very different to my home country where private maternity care is more affordable than the UK (€2-4k) and is all consultant led. I appreciate the price of private maternity care in the UK is very expensive and it’s not a decision I would make lightly.

Thank you so much in advance.

I had a planned caesarian at C&W under Ms Charlotte Deans (NHS), for mental health reasons. Had a brilliant experience - the consultant actually did the surgery herself so don't think it would have been any different if I'd gone private. Recovery was really smooth and my scar is very small and neat. If you go to C&W's free in-person breastfeeding workshop they'll give you a tour of the different wards afterwards (if you haven't done so already) so you can see how you feel about the place

Hi @Bubibir I am really glad I went private in the end. We gave birth to a healthy baby girl, who is thriving! I ended up having an emergency c section due to preclampsia. I was halfway through an induction when things took a turn. What could’ve been a very traumatic experience was actually really pleasant. My consultant was amazing, I couldn’t recommend her more. Everyone I encountered with the exception of one midwife, was incredible. I was quite scared, but they kept me informed the whole way through. I think the open dialogue and calmness helped me feel in control in a situation that was not in my control. I recovered well and although I subsequently lost my father suddenly ten days postpartum (which was a huge shock), I have managed to physically bounce back. My scar is neat and I’ve no hang ups or trauma about my birth. Personally, I’m so grateful we made the decision to switch to private care as with everything I subsequently experienced with my dad’s passing, I’m not sure I would’ve been able to cope if my birth had been traumatic. It was also really nice to have had those few blissful days in hospital where meals were delicious and the care was exceptional. I still think about it fondly! I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck with your pregnancy x

I had a private elected c section birth at St Thomas . They dont have a separate theatre, so if emergencies on the nhs side come in you will be delayed. Fair enough. But they also put elected ceseareans ahead of me too. Id been nil by mouth since the night before and was supposed to be done at 9am. I was done at 2pm. By then I was sobbing with ill health and dehydration and i was only given IV fluids shortly before going in to theatre. Despite not drinking for hours and hours. They struggled to get a needle in to my spine and I had 8 pairs of attempts and the anasthetic went up too high and I had numb hands. The anaesthetist didnt listen when I told her I couldn't breathe. I had a bad blood pressure drop and baby had to be resuscitated. I wish id complained.
Most of the midwives were nice, the room was small. I wish id just gone to my local hospital .

I had two children at Chelsea and West. I had my youngest in 2021. I was thinking of going private but I was told by many friends that had private c sections that you will be in the same theatre with same staff except the ones you pay extra for. You’re paying £10,000 for a nice private bedroom for a night.
I had emergency c section and planned c section. Inbetween my second planned sections
, they were has private sections in the same room.