Birthing Centres in London

[jumblequeen]

The good the bad and the ugly please! This is my first pregnancy and there's nothing I don't want to know... searching the net has been more confusing than anything. Your shared experiences would be very welcome

Are you talking NHS or private? For South London, my impression from myself and friends was that there is not that much to choose between Kingston, St George's and Chelsea and Westminster.

St marys has a great newish birthing centre. Check it out by googling.

There is the Bloomsbury Birthing Centre at UCH - location is going to be important though, where do you live? Can you afford to pay?

One fried of mine had 3 fantastic experiences at Queen Charlotte's in W London. I can't say as I went home to Glasgow both times as so didn't fancy a brush with any of my local options.

Hi all,

Thanks for the advice. I'm in Hackney (NE London) but I'm more concerned about giving birth in a nice environment rather than proximity to my house (otherwise that would be Homerton and I don't fancy that much). So yes, paying would be an option... I'll have a look into the places you've all mentioned - thanks again!

Whittington has a brand new birthing centre. A couple of friends had v good experiences there.

V happy with St. Thomas' "Home from Home" MLU, used it twice now. Have heard this private birth centre in the grounds of St. George's is excellent.

jumblequeen if your priority is the environment, have you considered what a homebirth would be like in your area? You could always pay for a private midwife (I think the place in St George's grounds might offer that) to be with you at home if you're unimpressed with your local option.

I would also say what my GP said to me, which is to think carefully before booking in to somewhere that is too far away from your home - you will have to get there when you might not be feeling too hot!

The birthing centre in whittington is AWESOME. Absolutely stunning- had a tour there the other day, but only has 5 beds and you have to be assessed by the labour ward first and not sure of chances of getting in....

If you are in Hackney you can probably use the Barkantine on the Isle of Dogs - check with your mw to see if they can refer you even though it's out of your borough. Lots of friends have used it and loved it.

I can second the recommendation of the Whit.
It has 5 rooms, 4 of which have pools, and all of which are really nice.

If I were you I would try to choose somewhere fairly near to home. It took 10 mins for us to drive to the Whit, I was in pretty advanced labour and I felt every pot hole and speed bump. Not much fun! Choosing a fairly local hospital also means that services may be more conveniently located - e.g. antenatal clinics in your local area instead of having to schlep across London.

IsItMeOr - yes I've definitely considered that. I do think I'd be more comfortable in my own home but I don't deal with pain very well so not sure a totally natural would be the best option for my first!

It's a very good point about the distance though - I hadn't really considered that... Apparently Homerton are getting a brand new maternity ward for next year so perhaps things are looking up.

Eastendmummy - The Isle of dogs might well be worth looking into as it's really not that far from where I am.

Having said all that... The Whit is just around the corner from my sister - perhaps I could make use of her spare room in the weeks before I'm due!

I hear you jumblequeen, although it was the vomiting repeatedly that got me rather than the pain tbh. Sorry if TMI!

Can you go on a tour of the maternity suite at the Homerton? It gave me a good idea of what the staff at St George's were like more than anything, and reassured me that they seemed kind (one of my major considerations!).

IsItMeOr - yes, I was just thinking that. The staff I've dealt with so far have been really nice but stretched way beyond what they should have to deal with. The new birthing unit open in December (apparently!) so I think I'll hold out until then.

I delivered a the Whittington in April this year. The experience was hideous to say the least. Midwives are horrible horrible horrible. UCH I heard is much better.

I'd recommend Whittington - new birth centre that was planned and built with that purpose in mind rather than tacked on as a later addition (and fantastic midwives). With most birth centres, if it all gets too much and you do want an epidural there is the option of a transfer to labour ward.

Most offer tours so worth having a look around and chatting to the staff. The midwife and care you'll receive during labour will make as much of a difference as feeling comfortable about your surroundings.

Am booked in to Barkantine Centre on Isle of Dogs for Jan. FWIW, they do take women from other boroughs.

Re pain relief/HB... I delivered my first at home with virtually no gas and air due to MW stuff ups, and it was horrendous. I went for a HB because I didn't want to be in a hospital. However not getting the pain relief which I needed (and I did need it) meant it was an extremely traumatic experience which set the tone for a difficult first six months. Second baby born in hospital; i had gas and air and pethidine, and it worked brilliantly for me.

At the mo am having second thoughts re Barkantine Centre because they're really keen on waterbirths ( I absolutely hate water
during labour) and don't seem that willing to give pethidine either. is very nice surrounds though...

also i think the MWs who are with you at the time are absolutely key. so if you can fix that somehow...