Does anyone in Wheathampstead/Harpenden/St Albans area have advice re where to give birth?

[coffeelovingmonkey]

I'm 6 weeks pregnant (my first and very excited) and have to choose where to give birth already.

I'm still registered with a St Albans GP, as only recently moved. My GP told me the options are antenatal in Welwyn with birth at Lister in Stevenage, or ante-natal in St Albans with birth at Watford hospital.

If I switch to a Wheathampstead GP, I guess I will also have the option of birth at Luton, but I'm not sure where the antenatal will be.

Does anyone know about any of the above?

I am in St. Albans and was offered the same choices as you, but was told Luton & Dunstable might take me, though they don't have to.

I did some research and found that L&D had by far the best reputation so asked to be referred there. Fortunately they took me. I'm only 15 weeks gone, so haven't had much experience there, but so I'm happy.

Hi, I'm in Harpenden, registered with GP there, referred to community midwife who is fantastic, had booking in at my home and other midwife appointments at GP surgery. Scans and consultants appointments at L&D and birth at the midwife led unit there. Everything at L&D has been brilliant, it might not look the shiniest but care and staff are top notch. Would completely recommend it. Friend who went to Watford put me off as unhelpful staff and over stretched and not attentive.

Thank you! That's really helpful. I think I will register with Wheathampstead GP (which is actually a Harpenden surgery) and book in at L&D then. Might bump into you at some point TheBookofRuth!

I live in St Albans and gave birth at Edgware Birth Centre. It's a similar distance to both Watford and Stoke Madeville to St Albans and is lovely. Well worth going to view to see what you think. Very relaxed and friendly. If we live close enough when we have another I'll definitely be going back there. You can still have your antenatal care at your own Gps surgery so need to travel there for routine appts (unless you want to). We though it was much nicer than the M/W led units at the hospitals and worlds apart from the consultant led wards.

I wanted to update in case anyone else, like I did, searches for this info, that I had my baby at the midwife led unit at Lister and thought they were absolutely amazing. I had my own very clean private room (on NHS), with a birthing pool and en suite. It was all in lovely condition. Was offered aromatherapy, was free to walk around the room and try out any birthing position I wanted. The midwives were amazing and stayed with me the whole time. Partner was welcome to stay for the whole labour and afterwards. We were in the same private room for about 24 hours before I was discharged home. My understanding is if you get admitted partners can't stay on the ward overnight, but I think they are much more accommodating of partners than other hospitals from what I hear. My friends who went to L&D also report very good experiences though.

I gave birth at Watford, but didn't have a choice, never again, if I ever fall pregnant again I am moving lol

I personally had a terrible experience at the lister...birth and aftercare on the ward..

I would recommend the luton and dunstable hospital. It has an excellent reputation x

Oops sorry coffee loving monkey, just realised you had updated this thread and have had your baby! Congratulations!

Yes, I hadn't noticed the update either, probably because the only chance I get to reply to things is early in the morning or late at night, Anyway congrats hope all it went well. Glad to hear the Lister was a good experience for you as I have heard that overall it's good better reviews than Watford General as I would like to move to Stevenage to be nearer to my mum, so if I do have another baby in the future it's likely I would go there. However, I guess all our experiences are subjective depending on what you have been through to have your baby