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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

St J&L is closing... Portland v Bloomsbury birth centre as can't get into St Thomas...

29 replies

cityangel · 31/03/2010 10:03

I gave birth to ds in St Thomas. Five hour labour water birth with gas and air and they gave me GBSS antibiotics. Had a second degree tear internally but this was only noticed afterwards and stiched up under local.

16 weeks pg with #2. I live out of the St Thomas catchment area and they are no longer accepting referrals. We signed up to St John & Lizzies but they are closing to births after 30 June

They no longer offer midwife led water births privately at St Thomas. I don't want a home birth in case I tear again, or to go to my local East London hospital after friends experiences there.

The Portland has come up as an alternative, but I am concerned about its 'too posh to push' reputation and really don't want to spend our savings trying to secure a water birth there if they are too medicalised. We are going on a tour tomorrow.

I have heard good things about UCH Bloomsbury birthing Centre, but you can only watch the tour online and I don't know anyone who has given birth there. Fortunately you can self-refer.

I would really appreciate hearing about any midwife led experiences at the Portland or Bloomsbury and ideas in case I've missed anywhere else? Thank you Mumsnet

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addictedtofrazzles · 31/03/2010 12:50

I was registered for the MLU at the Lansdell and it shut as I was literally filling in the forms!

I went through the same dilemma of where to go instead and have decided to stay at St. Thomas's but have an independent midwife. They are brilliant - all appointments are at home (great with another child to look after!), you get the benefit of an amazing hospital and, on the day, have an advocate who you know to help you through the birthing process. The major advangtages are 1) it costs £3k, not £10-12k and 2) the same midwife will visit you at home, postnatally for 6 weeks - something that none of the private facilities can offer (except Thomas's which is now shut!).

QTPie · 31/03/2010 13:11

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

streetcar · 31/03/2010 13:20

have also just heard this - I'm booked in there, and now looking for alternatives. I feel v sad about it, as I had a great experience there with DS (awful labour, but they made it good). I'm also concerned about the Portland's reputation as being very medicalised.

Sorry cityangel, I can't help with your question, but am listening out for the answers! I'd also be interested in what people have to say about midwife led care at Chelsea and Westminster...

bellasmama · 31/03/2010 13:58

Midwife led at the Portland is very pro-natural and they have a lovely pool. Wonder why J and L is closing?

streetcar · 31/03/2010 14:15

That's interesting about the Portland, I had always thought it was v medicalised with a high c-section rate (no idea why I thought this!)

Apparently it's closing because it's not financially viable, they have been affected by the recession and also by increased competition from private units in other hospitals.

Skimummy · 31/03/2010 14:18

I assume you are talking about the Royal London - it's really not that bad although I won't be going back if I decide to have a second (mainly because I am likely to require a c-section and have no desire to stay in those wards for an extended period of time again).

You might want to consider the Barkantine Birth Centre if you are in the area. It's really lovely and you can do a personal tour.

Two friends of mine gave birth at the Portlan - one c-section and the other natural birth - so it is only medicalised if you want it to be.

bowbluebell · 31/03/2010 14:45

If you are referring to the Royal London, in my experience it is pretty bad! (sorry, don't want to put you off, but I think you are wise to look at alternatives).

I'd second the Barkentine option- although they turn a lot of people away for various reasons, it is meant to be lovely and sounds like it's closer to home for you.

I know people who've given birth at UCH with positive experiences, perhaps try to contact your local NCT, who could put you in touch with people who've been there?

Skimummy · 31/03/2010 14:56

I should qualify my Royal London statement - not that bad for the giving birth part. Bad for anything else! I couldn't get out of there quick enough. So if you had a straightforward birth and went home within six hours...fine!!

QTPie · 31/03/2010 15:45

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster

cityangel · 01/04/2010 12:35

Yes I am referring to the Royal London after what friends and other new Mums have told me I am beyond being put off.

The Barkantine is lovely and only up the road from me but going overdue and tearing again would result in me ending up in the Royal London. I also had a friend who was given a royal london midwife there who wasn't supportive.

Went to the Portland but I am not sure I can justify the money when they only have one pool which was busy when we toured and the post natal rooms were also all full.

Now need to try and find out more about the Bloomsbury. I only know there's an online tour and there are private rooms but no guarantee of one.

The Lansdell only offer consultant led with no water birth option

Is there anywhere else I am wondering

OP posts:

MumNWLondon · 01/04/2010 12:41

Does it need to be private?

If not you could consider either Edgware birth centre or the MLU at the Whittington - both very recently done up with lots of pools - with double beds for partners to stay etc.

Can transfer to either up to 34 weeks.

sparechange · 01/04/2010 13:08

QTPie the C&W is on Fulham Road in Chelsea (near to the Kings road, if you know it?)

millingtonsmummy · 01/04/2010 20:42

Have you considered the Birth Centre?

www.birthcentre.com/

They're a private midwifery unit but based in the grounds of St Georges Hospital in Tooting (SW17). I'm having DC2 there in about 5 weeks and have been delighted with my care so far, fantastic midwifes.

I didn't look anywhere else tbh as my motivation was to find somewhere where I was guaranteed access to a birthing pool and I had a v quick labour with DD1 and the centre is on my doorstep for quick access. If things don't go to plan St Georges hospital is literally across the path but their maternity unit doesn't have the best reputation. I had DD1 there and had a wonderful birth experience but have friends that have not had such a great time. A Birth Centre midwife would be with you all the way if you did need to transfer.

I also think it's reasonably priced for what you get. They picked up my care at 28 weeks, the price includes antenatal care, birth and 6 weeks of postnal care. I negotiated just under £4k.

Maybe worth a look?

MarsLady · 02/04/2010 19:44

If you're anywhere near the Whittington, then go there. Their MLU is wonderful.

BlameItOnTheBogey · 02/04/2010 19:47

No help to you but I am really, really sad about john and lizzies. What a truly wonderful place staffed by the kindest people I have ever met. So glad I managed to have dc2 before this happened - can't imagine anywhere else ever comparing.

Good luck with finding somewhere new.

Hanicka · 04/04/2010 18:52

Hi I am due to give birth at lindo wing? Do you have any experience with it? I went for a tour there and the midwives seemed lovely, but I would like as much natural birth as possible so wonder if anyone had that experience there? Also would you know if they have possibility to hire water pool?
Many thanks!!!

Original poster

cityangel · 04/04/2010 23:53

MarsLady would you say the Whittington is the better option over UCH Bloomsbury? Thanks for the advice.

OP posts:

QueenofSleep · 05/04/2010 21:10

J&L is closing as the recession has meant that we've not been getting enough women in to cover the astronomical costs. All v sad, but at least will be redundant in time for summer holidays.

Original poster

cityangel · 05/04/2010 22:17

I am sorry you lost your jobs I hope you can find new ones. Such a lovely place I am struggling to find an alternative I am happy with.

OP posts:

QueenofSleep · 05/04/2010 22:23

Never a problem getting a midwifery job in London . . . but will never be anywhere the same. I'm just sad as was where I had my DSs

MumNWLondon · 06/04/2010 22:30

Cityangel - I am due to give birth at the Whittington MLU in a couple of weeks - will tell you about it afterwards... it has just been refurbished and looks as nice as any private hospital MLU.

At 36 weeks you have appointment to discuss birth plan and be assessed for the MLU - I met a lovely midwife was very pleased with the approach they have there (natural, lots of pools (one in each room) so she said excellent chance of having a water birth - thats much more than UCH, no need for VEs, one to one care from arrival, stay in delivery room for up to 12 hours and get directly discharged from there) and from 38 weeks get (free) birth preparation acupuncture (have first session on friday) if you give birth mon-fri 9-5 can have acupuncture in labour ....

If you do need to go onto postnatal wards lots of private rooms available and you can pay to have one.

There are tours on a saturday afternoon -turn up at 3pm - why not go and look around or you can call them and discuss your concerns.

Btw I tranfered there late on - you can transfer to the MLU up to 34 weeks even if you are out of their area.

Here are some photos

Original poster

cityangel · 09/04/2010 14:47

Thank NW Mum really helful will investigate... my only worry is getting there from East London in time!

OP posts:

wahwahwah · 09/04/2010 14:49

St Mary's is fab. If you are considering Portland, it is only another mile down the road.

MumNWLondon · 09/04/2010 16:32

Cityangel - it might not be too far as its NE London, and only zone 2 at that - so maybe not much further than NW8 which is also zone 2 but further west (SJ & SE).

I went today to see birth centre (and have acupuncture - you can have a session ((free) each week from 38 weeks) - spoke to a lovely midwife - and saw one of the rooms. She said more than half of their births were in water, and that almost all of the transfers to the labour ward were women changing their minds and wanting epidurals!

MarsLady · 09/04/2010 19:02

cityangel... in a word... YES!!!!!!! I have been to births at both and the Whit wins hands down. UCH's birth centre is very much like the labour ward. The Whit's MLU is purpose built. It's beautiful! (and they have double beds so that your partner can stay overnight with you and baby.)

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