Anyone had fairly recent elective section at St. Thomas, Chesea & Westminister, or Queen Charlotte?

[Persnickety]

I am seeking to do a bit research on recent experience at these hospitals before I go announce to my GP that I am pregnant and would like a referral.

I like QC, but it is sometimes hard to get into. So, just want to educate myself on the other two.

I will definitely be seeking an elective section (have already had two - first one not elective). So, really, I am intereted in section experience. And, would also like to know what the ward / private room was like after the birth. But, am obviously, more interested in the quality of the medical care leading up to and during delivery.

Thank you thank you thank you.

I am not squeemish. If you have not so nice things to say, I want to hear them too.

Bump (pardon the pun)

Hi - I had a c-section (although emergency) privately at the Queen Charlotte. The care and my consultant was excellent, can't recommend them highly enough, and also the reassurance having the back up of big NHS teaching hospital and probably best neonatal ward in the country if needed.

If you need a recommendation for a consultant just let me know

Good luck

Helen

Thanks, Helen. I will keep that offer in mind if I end up at qc.

I've just picked Chelsea & Westminster - had to make a decision at the docs yesterday on the spot and hadn't had a chance to think so went with that as it's the most convenient!

Any experiences of this hospital that anyone can share? would love to know what I've just signed up to!

When are you due? What were your other choices?

Hi Hopeful- congratulations!
You will prob get lots of negative comments about C&W but I had both mine there (in 2007 and 2009) and they were great. The post natal ward is a bit stretched but I was there for 5 and 10 days respectively and it was fine. Also had to have a bit of special care for DS and he was looked after really well.
Lots of friends went to all the hospitals you mentioned and had good/ok experiences at all of them and some not so good, but that is London hospitals in general.
I think the ante natal care in particular is really good at C&W. I didn't have to go to the hospital, all my MW appointements were very local.
I think it's really important to be near the hospital for convenience sake as well (altho may not be such an issue with an elective CS).

Thanks for your advice. Why do people not like C&W?

I think my GP will do most of the antenatal appointments (she did last time). I think scans are about all I went to the hospital for.

I had an elective section at C&W 4 years ago so not massively recent, but antenatally I could not fault them - clinics usually ran to time, midwives were great, referred to con care when DS got 'awkward' at the end - all great!

On the day, had a great CS - lovely MW looking after me, have a tiny scar. Also got lots of help breastfeeding back in recovery.

Personally - I found the post natal ward pretty awful. Very little help the first night - couldn't pick DS up, had to remind them I needed some more meds, had to ask someone to help me change the sheets in the morning (I have friends who've just changed their own). There were about 8 or 10 beds to the ward so no privacy and the private rooms are quite expensive if you're thinking of paying for one. I was begging DH to get me discharged ASAP.

Friends who went private at C&W rave about the whole thing - those rooms are pretty fab!!

I went to Kingston for DD - I know not everyone has great experiences there either - but we really rated it and postnatally was much much better IMHO.

But as others have said - there are stories from both sides about every London hospital!

That's helpful, thanks. To be honest I think the after care in any HNS hospital is pretty neglectful. I could probably say similar things about QC. But the surgical team was excellent and that was so much more important.

One of the silly things they did after the birth was came and put my cereal on a table without considering I was tied to the bed via my catheter. bozo. They were good however with meds and can't remember anything one way or another with bed sheets. I guess they must have changed them or I'd remember. And, yeah I also remeber 6 or 8 bed to the ward or a really expensive private room (which I did not opt for).

Anyone else?