Anyone given birth at St George's or St Thomas's recently?

[MGMidget]

I have just found out I'm pregnant and trying to decide which of these two hospitals would suit me best so hoping for feedback from anyone who has given birth at either recently? I am more of the no-painkiller-natural-birth type than the slash-me-open type so hoping for good support in labour from the midwives. However, the attitude of the hospital to intervention also matters - having had a bad and overzealous experience with my first child at Chelsea & Westminster I'm looking for a hospital that doesn't intervene unless there is a good medical reason. Also, has anyone had a home birth through either of these hospitals? And finally if you did end up with all sorts of interventions at one of these hospitals how was your experience there? All feedback helpful, thanks!

Not recently but I had DC1 at G & DC2 at T
Having DC3 at T

G's got a bit of a refurb since I was last there so may have improved
T's had ensuite bathrooms for the delivery room and the postnatal ward I was on only had 4 beds plus a bathroom
At G you had to walk down the hall for the loo when I was there

Downsides for T are the congestion charge, parking and the lifts taking forever
Antenatal dept seems v overstretched so clinic appts take an age at the moment and if you are late for a scan then will turn you away

Congrats on your pregnancy. I was initially under George's but I wanted a homebirth and we were out of area for George's community midwives (I am only five mins down the rd ) so I was referred to Thomas's at about 24 weeks. I was looked after by the valley midwives, so I had all my appointments either at home or at their community base in streatham. I ended up being induced in hospital but had a really supportive midwife and everyone really encouraged me to do it all without intervention even when I really wanted some . I ended up with a vaginal delivery and no pain relief (I was 10cm when I requested epi). I had bleeding at 37 weeks and the care was excellent. The postnatal care was pretty poor though. George's antenatal care was very thorough and we had an excellent sonographer. I hope this helps.

Thanks, EldonAve and bellamysbride - very useful. I am really surprised that the Valley Midwives come so far out - I am nearer St George's and thought I would have a better chance of a homebirth with them but apparently not!

I know, it's ridiculous isn't it. Apparently even if you opt to homebirth with Valley midwives if there is a problem that requires immediate attention during labour you would get transferred to George's. Goodluck

Congrats on the pregnancy, I had a home birth under Georges last year, they were brilliant. Friends had babies at both, Carmen Suite has been well rceieved and the home from home at Tommies has great views and a garden but often long waits to get a bed / seen