St Thomas's London

[Mirry71]

Am due to give birth here in February...can anyone give me their experience positive and negative. Have heard problems with staffing here and my main fear is being left alone and not able to manage. Is my first birth. I wondered whether I should go for a home birth (as you would then get midwives all the way through) but then fear my pain threshold is too low to manage on gas and air alone.....Any thoughts?

Mirry, I think it's the same everywhere tbh, unless you get lucky with staff being particularly nice. Although from what I hear, C&W is worse.

At Tommy's I noticed quite a difference in the day shift and night shift in terms of helpfulness, the night was worse.

My two tips would be firstly, to ask not to be put in the post-natal ward room by the reception desk if at all possible. I was, and the noise throughout the night drove me nuts.

Secondly, ask for what you need, when you need it and don't be put off. I felt I had to charm some of them in to helping me, which was hard when I was so exhausted and just needed looking after, but as I said before, forewarned is forearmed. My sis, who's been an A&E nurse and paramedic, told me to take a celebratory box of biscuits in to share with the staff to get them on side but I was too to do this!

I had my second there and it was fine - not in the home from home

In terms of staffing levels everywhere in London will be similar and it will be the luck of the draw if you have a midwife with you throughout your labour

Post natal ward was fine but I was only there for 12 hours

had my first there this summer. The midwives were terrible upon arrival (ignored us for five hours and wouldn't give me gas and air) but once things went wrong (baby in distress), we had fabulous care from the doctors. Day shift midwives turned up too and were so great.
the post natal ward was fine for me. Not ideal but I only got there for bedtime and the next day went quickly before discharge around 5pm.

I went for an antenatal appt and the midwife said there were problems with staffing at the moment - that I should have a midwife there once I was in active labour (she seemed to be implying second stage but maybe I misunderstood). Before that however just a question of hoping enough staff to check the heartbeat every 15 mins if poss. Is that more than enough do you think?

Hi again Mirry,

when I arrived I wasn't in "active labour" (cervix in process of dilating) but not in any mood to be left either.
My midwife stayed with me except to go and get toast and tea which she wanted me to have before it really began. Not sure she would have if they'dbeen short staffed like they said to you...
But I laboured in the water, and I don't think they're allowed to leave you, so that's a good way to ensure one does stay with you.

You previously mentioned your pain threshold. I must say, the water combined with G&A is absolutely fantastic. And I'm a wuss.
If you get any comfort from a water bottle or warm bath with period pains you should find it relieves labour pains somewhat too. If you did choose to do some labouring in the water (you can always give it a go, then get out and have something stronger), I'd advise you to ask them to do your checks in the room - the regular midwives there usually make a nest of pillows in the corner of the room for checks, then you can get back in quickly - I had a freelance and she kept walking me up and down the corridor which I hated.