C+W hospital - Is it really that bad?

[splashy]

Hi,
Am due to give birth at Chelsea and West in late September (chose them over Queen Charlotte's because of the awful things that midwives who worked there had said about it)

Was wondering if anybody had any experiences to share? Have seen a lot of horror stories about the postnatal ward, but am hoping things have got better now!

Any stories

Hi Splashy
I had DD there in 2007 and DS in January last year. Had heard lots of awful things too but I honestly had great experiences both times.
Mine were both born early and the ante natal care and labour were both fantastic. I was on the postnatal ward for 5 days and 9 days and that was fine too. Some of the MW were a bit grumpy sometimes but generally they were fine. I havefriends who've given birth all over Londona and they have good and bad stories about eall of them. (One had her first at QC and has just had her second at C&W and much preferred C&W).
To be honest, both of mine needed a bit of help after they were born and the fact that the labour went so well and they were looked after so well after the birth totally outweighed the postnatal niggles. (The main problem seems to be getting the paperwork ready to be discharged- after 9 days I was going mental and they managed it in about 2 minutes!)Good luck

sorry about spelling!

thank you for sharing your expericences.

i am glad to hear you had a good a experience

this is my first baby so am rather new to all of this and am glad to hear peoples stories

I am about to have my third baby at C&W and I think it's great. My first baby was five years ago and the night midwives on the postnatal ward (Anne Stewart ward) were awful - bad tempered agency staff who couldn't care less.

However a MW at C&W told me this week that they have made great efforts to improve the staff on that ward, by practically cutting out agency staff among other things, and she said all is now great there.

I have always been looked after brilliantly at the hospital and would never go anywhere else, not least because of all the different food options - my husband always brings me Carluccio's lasagne after I've had a baby there and it's so much nicer than hospital food! Also I honestly think the staff are lovely.

hth

Yes- forgot to mention the Carluccio's food option! (it was shut for refurbishment last time I was there !)

at carluccio's litdog and tvfriend

that was another reason for picking C+W over Queen Charlotte's. The only thing near QC's is a petrol station and Wormwood Scrubs prison!!