Kingston or West Middlesex Hospital

[tfifriday]

Hi All

I'm just wondering if anyone has any recent experience of pregnancy care and birth at Kingston or West Middlesex Hospital. It's my first pregnancy and I'm not sure which one to pick... Any help and advice would be great!

Thanks!

Kingston served me very well for the births of all three of mine - one elective c section for breech plus two VBACs.

However, the after care on the ward following the c section was very minimal - you can't move very well but no one comes to pass you the baby when he needs feeding. And then, when you have him and let him fall asleep on you (coz you can't put him back!), you get told off! I begged to be let home and limped out the hospital in agony after two nights, but once home so much better as my husband looked after me and I recovered quickly after that.

But I really don't think it matters which hospital you go for - it's down to who is working that particular day. Luck of the draw which staff are on duty.

I had my baby at West Middlesex and I wouldn't recommend it. I chose it because it was a university hospital and thought it would offer the best care. I had complications and I have to say that the surgeons were first class, but the care which I received prior to going into labour and during the days after the birth was not good. There were individual staff who were fantastic, but, on the whole, I had a poor experience at this hospital. I was re admitted to hospital a few days after the birth and we had moved to Kingston by this time, so I was admitted to Kingston hospital for this. I have to say, this hospital was like a hotel in comparison to West Middlesex. It was clean and calm and the staff explained everything at length to me. I can only go on my personal experience, but I would go for Kingston.