Can I choose which hospital I attend for maternity? (Public care)

[agradecida]

Hi.
I'm a few months pregnant and have had an initial appointment with the GP. All a bit overwhelming with the differences to my last pregnancy and maternity care in England, plus covid restrictions.

I've read up as much as possible on the gov website and other forums, and I know that the care is split between GP and hospital.

I was hoping to ask the GP about whether it was possible to choose which hospital to be under, but I was a bit overwhelmed at the appointment for a number of reasons and just pretty much nodded along (not helped by the GP having a very strong accent on top of us both wearing masks) - completely my fault for not being assertive and asking any questions.

GP said he'd send forms to the local hospital and I'd hear from them. He said it in a way that sounded as thought that was the procedure and there wasn't the option to choose the hospital. Does anyone know if it would be an option?

The nearest hospital that I'd automatically attend (and that my notes have gone off to from the GP) is in a bordering county as there isn't one in my county. The hospital I'd like to attend is in a third county and about an extra 15 minutes away. Would I have to go private to choose to go to the other hospital?

Thanks

I don't think going to the other hospital should be a problem OP, just phone the GP and ask them to send the referral to the hospital you want.

Also look into the domino midwife led scheme to see if they do it in your county. I found it excellent.

I live in a small town that is relatively close (40-60 mins) to 3 maternity hospitals. Most people around attend the closest one but I chose the second closest, bigger hospital with better reputation.
First time round there was a mix up with paper work because of choosing the hospital i did but I was admitted in early pregnancy and they sorted it out then.

Community Midwife asked me my choice of hospital at booking in appt. I'm under consultant so chose that hosptial as it is closer and I am more familiar.

When is your first midwife appointment? Do you have a community midwife that you visit for your routine appts?

When is your first midwife appointment? Do you have a community midwife that you visit for your routine appts?
Just to mention that I never had a community midwife for any of my children. ..I didn't even know it was a thing. All appointments were with either the GP or the hospital. Maybe it depends where you are? Or maybe things have changed in the last few years...

Thanks everyone.

I got the first possible appointment with GP at 12 weeks- because of having to isolate for 2 weeks, I couldn't go any earlier. My first appointment with a midwife at the hospital should have been 12 weeks - Dr said I'll get a call from them, but no idea when it'll be.

Unfortunately the domino scheme isn't available at either of the two hospitals, as when I looked at it it sounded great. No mention at all of community midwives.

Cavan is the hospital I'd like to use - the MLU, as I previously had a water home birth and this seems like the closest possible to my ideal environment (Not comfortable with a homebirth this time as so far from hospital, but also know that anything could happen up to and during birth which means I could well end up consultant led anyway). Although I know Cavan MLU nearly closed down in June and is still on shakey ground!

I think I'll just wait to hear now, then may try to call the MLU at Cavan at some point. I just read another forum where someone was able to call them and get transfered there. It might be worth waiting in case it looks like it will close anyway, in which case there'd be no point attending a hospital further away.

Really appreciate everyone's advice. Feeling a bit lost with it all in the middle of the 6 week lockdown so this has really helped.

If it's not your first pregnancy OP, you probably know this already, but just in case, you might want to make yourself aware of what can only be picked up on a scan if it's between 11 and 13 weeks i.e. nuchal fold measurement.