Kingston Maternity or Chelsea & Westminster?

[Ninunina]

Hi everyone,
I've recently found out I'm expecting my first baby, and saw my GP this morning. She has said that I need to choose my hospital over the weekend since she's eager to get me in for a scan ASAP.

I have a choice between Kingston and Chelsea & Westminster. I like the idea that Kingston Midwives come to my local doctor's surgery, but I would be very greatful to get some advice from people who have experienced it first hand.

Hi Ninunina
Congratulations on your pregnancy! I had my DD at Chelsea and Westminster. I found the antenatal care really good and the midwives caring. When my DD was born, I didn't however actually see any of my team of midwives although the one who delivered DD was very good.

After care was a bit crap; thrown onto a very full ward at 1am, with no support whatsover. Breastfeeding support wasn't very strong either.

However my DD arrived safely and I was well looked after during my pregnancy - and at the end of the day, those are the most important things!

Hope someone comes along shortly with some info about Kingston for you and that this has helped a little.

How exciting, best of luck with it! I used Kingston for both my DDs, as recently as last July. Really liked fact we had a local midwife for ante-natal care, it saved hours in waiting time. And they were great during two very different births. For first one, I had mid-wife all the way through as I was induced and they gave me epidural just in time, the other was less complicated so they left me to it in the malden suite but provided amazing support for water birth at end. Can honestly say I couldn't have done it without a certain lady called Ilka, to whom I'll be forever grateful. Top tip is to be really clear from start as to what you want when you arrive in labour, because they are overstretched and you might have to wait to see someone later on (unless an emergency). Afterwards, in malden suite you get to stay in the room, while in doctor-led suite there are a few individual rooms (mainly for those who had a tricky time) or go to ward. You can also pay for a room I think. Post-natal good, they didn't let me go until baby latched on properly.

Frankly I think this choice thing is not all it's cracked up to be as I'd rather all the hospitals met a minimum standard and they'd be able to plan better if they knew their catchment population, but that's by the by.

Thanks Chunky & Kora! I managed to find an oldish thread discussing this exact subject, and it seems that most people seemed happier with the care at Kingston (and also Queen Charlotte- which is an option for me, but I feel is too far away).

I hope I meet Ilka!

Kingston was great for both mine one came very quick and next was induced.

Book into the holistic part of the maternity as well if that is something that interests you. 1st time i didnt know about it but 2nd time round i did and it was great no extra cost. You cant go if you have a complicated birth but if its straight forward then you can and thats where the water pools are.

I thought it was a little less busy and more a sense of calmness and you need alot of that . I also managed to get my own room which was a bonus

congratulations and Good luck

Congratulations Ninunina

I had all 3 at Kingston and all went as well as these things can. Its a busy hospital but if there is a problem which there was with my 3rd then you have great care. Also after care is excellent compared to what I have heard from other hospitals. Again I had problems after my 3rd and got excellent daily care for the first 14 days after I came out of hospital. Good luck and I am sure Kingston will look after you and your new bundle when he or she arrives.

richmond