Where did you have your baby? Recommendations please

[Roxsan]

Hi Everyone,

This is my 2nd pregnancy, I'm hoping to get some ideas of other hospitals I could have the baby at?

I had my first at The Royal London and would prefer to not return.

Any advice welcomed

Hey! I have the same question! We moved to Bow last August and I gave birth to my first one at the Lewisham birth centre. I loved it! I'm thinking about returning there, but the distance puts me off.

I am a little skeptical about the LRH. The experience from my booking appointment was quite awful and I didn't like the staff. So, if I give birth in the Barkantine birth centre and have to be transferred, they'd send me to LRH. I don't want that.

Why was your experience with the hospital unpleasant if I may ask?

Nicole

Hi Nicole,

All the pre-natal care I had at RLH was great my son had some complications during my pregnancy so I was under consultant care and I really can't fault them.

The midwives when I was in labour and after my son was delivered by emergency section were just so unpleasant and rude.

I don't doubt how amazing they are in an emergency, the consultant listened to me and delivered my son within minutes, but it was the midwives that put me off.

The thing is I've looked in to other local hospitals and they seem just as bad?!

Roxsan

My son was born in RLH. I didn't want that too and asked my GP to refer me to another hospital, but they said you can't change it after 30 week (or 35, sorry bad memory).
However, I was very happy with all midwives who helped us during my complicated labour (eg. my son was unconscious when he came out). Midwives called the doctor and more team members arrived in few seconds, gave CPR to the baby etc.
However, the doctor kept trying to persuade me (for 1,5 hour) to give vitamin K and other injection to my son, although I told him firmly that I did enough research and refuse to take any. Other than that all was absolutely fine.

Roxsan, your experience seems identical to mine! I am 25 weeks pregnant with my second and I am wondering the exact same thing. I have been recommended St. Thomas Hospital in Waterloo so I am considering that. I have had all my antenatal care so far at RLH and as with first pregnancy that has been fine. But it was the midwifes during the labour and after giving birth that were terrible. Like you though, I wonder whether they will be better in another hospital...

Roxsan, Christina Franks commented on our Facebook post: Barkentine was pretty good for uncomplicated labour (Isle of dogs)

Hi Roxsan,

If, like me, you have an uncomplicated and normal pregnancy, I would HIGHLY recommend the barkantine birthing centre. The many midwives I encountered during my 2 day long labour were all lovely, caring, professional and so kind.

I'm sure that had I been in a hospital, I would have had intervention as a result of the labour duration. So, I'm relieved I trusted my instincts and chose this birthing unit to have my daughter.

Good luck with your choice
Xxx

ladies, thank you for sharing your experience! I had my 25-week appointment today and the midwife said I should be looking at hospitals very close to our home, since my first labor went really quick. I would love to go the Barkantine Birth Centre and hope I don't have to go to RLH... :)

My friend gave birth at St Thomas last November. She was quite happy with the care she got during labor, but not that happy with the post-natal care (midwives weren't too nice). Plus, something went wrong afterwards, she had an infection in her uterus that they overlooked and so she ended up at the A&E in Lewisham a few days later...

Unfortunately I'm high risk and have also just been told I'll have to have a c section so that has thrown another spanner in the works!

Thank you all for your comments, I looked around the Barkentine when I was expecting my first but I turned out to be high risk then too! It was lovely and the staff seemed really caring and like they had a lot of time for you.

It looks like I'll be at the RLH for this one but at least I know what to expect. Word of advice if you are able to I found the private room was much better for me as I could get some rest!