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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Kingston, West Middlesex or Queen Charlotte hospital?

13 replies

Lucypeanut · 16/04/2010 20:40

I have just found I am pregnant for the first time and have to give my GP my choice of hospital by Monday.
The 3 up for consideration are Kingston, West Middlesex and Queen Charlotte. Does anyone have any experience of these hospitals for antenatal care and birth?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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DeirdreB · 16/04/2010 21:40

Congratulations on your pregnancy - hope you are feeling well!! This is the first of many decisions that you will have to make where the information is inconclusive and everyone has their own opinion. So here is mine..

I do not have any experience of Queen Charlotte's but had my first two children at West Mid and both experiences were good. My next comment will probably be followed by a whole host of classic Mumsnet replies stating otherwise but ime, women who have babies at WM have easier labours and deliveries than at K - no reason as both seem really nice places and mid wives great etc but of my Mummy peers, the birth stories were better from WM. A local osteopath once said she had seen a similar pattern.

Good Luck.

Caro1302 · 17/04/2010 20:02

I've had both of my children at WM and had no issues with the births. I also work there and know the MWs pretty well and they're a lovely bunch. I did find postnatal care pretty patchy to be honest but I think I got in the busiest week ever, it was horrendous. The new natural birth centre is fab with lovely rooms and a nice calm atmosphere. Sadly I wasn't allowed to use them as I was a VBAC candidate but if you have the option i'd recommend them.

Oh, and congratulations!

Exogenesis · 17/04/2010 20:10

CONGRATULATONS!!

I had my DD at West Mid. Its a wonderfully run unit and now has the "new" bit which I have been told by friends is super...

I had a section and the care dd and myself recieved was IMO Outstanding!

2cats2many · 17/04/2010 20:14

I had both of mine at QCH. Both emergency C-sections unfortunately, but I couldn't fault the care before and after both. The staff were just lovely. QCH also have a very nice birthing centre if you want to try and do the natural/ water birth thing.

Good luck with everything.

poppy34 · 17/04/2010 20:16

All are good but at risk of sounding cynical you may not have the choice as west mid and Kingston quite often get booked up - have friends who have had babies at them all and all had good experiences. Wm seems quite good for less straight forward cases.

How near are you to them as ease of getting there for antenatal as well as actual delivery is a big factor?

Original poster

Lucypeanut · 18/04/2010 18:43

Thanks for all the messages.
I actually live a 15 minute walk from WM, so I thought it was probably the best option. I will try and book in asap and probably be back on her with many more questions!

OP posts:

mmrsceptic · 18/04/2010 18:50

Congratulations.

I had two vbacs at Kingston. It's great.

Twas more than ten years ago though.

mmrsceptic · 18/04/2010 18:51

No I lie. I had one vbac at Kingston. The other at QM before it closed and I must say Kingston was a much nicer place to have a vbac. Smashing midwives.

simpson · 18/04/2010 18:55

I had my DS (now 4) and QCH and although the staff were lovely they were very keen to intervene as much as they could ie insisting on breaking my waters, not letting me walk around, being examined every hr etc...

Also after having had him at 11am (ie reasonable time of day) they did not offer/have any food and DH ended up going out and bringing back a KFC.

Chose a different hosp for DD (2) who seemed much more chilled about it all tbh.

simpson · 18/04/2010 18:56

congrats on pg BTW

eastendmummy · 18/04/2010 19:05

I've just had ds2 at WM and the care I received was fantastic! I can't recommend it highly enough. Congratulations on your pregnancy!

first1 · 19/04/2010 17:42

I'm booked in for Kingston next month (due 17th May), first baby so can't comment on delivery suite, but the antenatal care has been brilliant. I have heard though that both a&e and maternity at Kingston are possibly closing, so might be worth having a google about it!

girlsyearapart · 19/04/2010 17:59

Have had both mine at Kingston and am booked in for the third in early August.

Both times were fine but the second was definitely a lot busier and more impersonal.

Have heard WM is good as the maternity bit has recently had a refurb.

first1 Susan Kramer- the lib dem candidate accosted me outside the shops the other day and said there was a high chance of the maternity unit and a and e closing but it won't be for a good while. So if you're already pregnant now it definitely won't affect you.

Also don't know how much of it all is pre election political spin

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