Hospitals

[annamarina]

Help - anyone had any experience of birth at Whittington? Just moved to area and know nothing.

Hi there

I gave birth there and the staff was excellent. Don't be too put off my the looks of the 'old' wing. I had gestational diabetes and was looked after very well.
Re birth, again, had two midwives (the same ones) all day with me, and then the full team as my delivery was somehow complicated.

Booked a side room to recover - beware, they're not really high standards!

All in all, my husband and I were very impressed by the level of care. nb - remember to book yourself on the antenatal classes - you also have free access to acupuncture if needed and physiotherapy.

annamarina, when are you due? Whereabouts in Haringey have you moved to?

I also had my baby at the Whittington, just a few days after julesfrenchie, I think from another thread on here.

I had to be induced and went into labour at 2 am, but took 26.5 hours, so there were a few changes of shift but all of those who worked with me were quite good. The postnatal care was a bit more of a problem, I liked the midwives but they kept having to rush off and deal with other people and would promise to come back soon and not make it, I think because there weren't enough staff compared to women having their babies.

I wanted to breastfeed but it hasn't worked out, and I have some issues with the hospital on this - would advise that if you plan to bf you try to prepare in advance - you may find it easy but many women are shocked by how difficult it can be and I'm one.

Nonetheless, if I have another baby in London I will probably go back to the Whittington, I just will be more prepared in advance for what I'd like, and assume that immediately after the birth I will focus my efforts on establishing feeding and not make the mistakes I made this time round.

Would also recommend more antenatal classes -I only had a one day one at the hospital but it was very useful, however, I would have liked to do a longer course.

Couldn't agree more with Elkiedee re breastfeeding... Was telling my hubby tonight that it's both really hard work and so amazing when it works. I went through many stages - doubt, worry about not enough milk/mixed feeding/lopsided boob/etc etc. There is one website I have just discovered which would have helped so much had I seen it and that's kellymom.com(HV and midwives only ever mention La Leche League and the NTC network, which weren't that useful as they are very biased towards making you believe that breastfeeding is so natural it is normally painless - not always true, and ramming it down your throat that breast is best for baby bla bla.

Sorry to be going on about this, but I found it so annoying to be patronised rather than given the honest info - nb - i am still breastfeeding, but it's not thanks to anyone's suppport!

Elkiedee, I am due to go towards St Ann's for baby's vaccination - fancy a cup of tea/coffee? I would need to double check the date though - haven't quite lost my pregnant brain yet . Saw your profile... I am going on 36 yuk.

jf, yes, would be interested in meeting up - where is your baby having the vaccinations? I live very near the Laurels Health Centre opposite St Ann's Hospital, and there is a cafe in Chestnuts Park just west of there, took Danny there with my mum and sister and it seemed fine.

If I'm not around on the day you're down this way, I would be happy to come up towards Turnpike Lane or wherever too.

I had both mine there - very happy with it. Better than the Royal Free and the North Mid, from what I've heard. Post natally not amazing but not too bad either, and it's the same everywhere. Good care during labour though.

Elkiedee,
Have just checked and my appointment for BCG is actually this Monday 2nd July, at 3pm.

Not sure whether any good. It's at St ann's hospital, and we could meet up before or after.

Let me know if any good, we could go to the coffe shop you mentionned.

Failing that, we could meet around Turnpike Lane...

Thanks for your message julesfrenchie

I could meet you for lunch before your jabs appointment, but am hoping for a planned home visit at between 2.30 to 3 pm

My email address is
elkiedee @ yahoo . co . uk
if you email me we'll arrange the specific details by email, or I'll email back my telephone number

or you can contact me when your baby's finished having his/her jabs and we'll come and meet you by the hospital, and we'll find a cafe to go to - I live really really close by.

If Monday doesn't work out we can arrange to meet up in Turnpike Lane some time, probably not this week coming as we have lots of family visiting to do this week.

Elkiedee, have emailed you. See you on Monday hopefully.

Hi, I'm new to mumsnet! I have also had 2 children at the Whittington & the births were fine both times! the staff at the birth fir my 2nd were brill. although I would agree that the care post natally is a little wanting if you're ok but are stuck in hospital for a couple of days...i think this is more due to lack of staff time than poor care tho'. good luck

Hi al73, welcome to mumsnet

Hi just joined mumsnet too. This is quite fun! Due date end of January. Wondered if anyone can recommend any of the private antenatal classes as NCT fully book already. Ideally would like one where there is emphasis on meeting other mums in the area. Thanks

finland, no idea about the private antenatal classes but there are links to information about some on this area of the site. Do ask the hospital if they put anything on, though mine there was only one day. It was very useful but I would have liked more.

Whereabouts in Haringey are you? Which hospital are you going to?

Also, I missed out on the antenatal NCT classes too, and I'm sure I would have benefited. But there are lots of other things which you can go to to meet other new mums.

Haringey NCT also offers postnatal classes, it was only a matter of chance I learned about the one I went to but it was great, and we're meeting up next week for the 4th consecutive Wednesday since it finished! The advantage I think of postnatal is that we're now all on maternity leave, and I know I have more time and energy to get out there and meet people - I felt like hibernating at your stage of pregnancy (but good on you if you don't).

There are also various mother and baby drop ins, and there are some things which I understand are open to pregnant women but they tend to be run within office hours - NCT coffee mornings and Bumps and Babies groups.

There's a lovely group run by the Breastfeeding Network, to support women breastfeeding but they continue coming to play etc too. Apparently it's open to pregnant women but is on Thursday mornings 10-12. I wanted to breastfeed very much but it didn't work out for reasons I won't go into here, but would advise anyone who does want to breastfeed to get details in advance of all the support you might be able to access as soon as you have any problems, and to take up any antenatal support such as classes re breastfeeding that you can in advance.

You're welcome if you like to meet up with me - I also use my user name for email at yahoo.co.uk. My baby was due in April/born in May and I will be going back to full time work in March, but I would be happy to arrange to meet at a cafe any time you can do it, in the near future or after the birth.

Elkiedee, thanks for your advice. I think I will definately contact the NCT postnatal class. I am booked at Whittington hospital so will probably try and attend their session on breast feeding and antenatal morning. Still investigating the other options regarding alternative providers of antenatal care. Pregnancy yoga also sounds like fun option. I live in Muswell Hill so hopefully despite lack of NCT classes there should be plenty on offer. I am working full time till Jan. so will get in contact once have more free time( hopefully!)

Hello Finland,

This is my first time on the site too and my baby is also due end of January. I am in North London and have also been looking for private antenatel, I know there is one is Muswell Hill called Babymoon which has got spaces available

Hi ladies,

This website is great, only im at the work at the moment so cannot chat. Would love to get to know other new mums in the area of North London. I'm terrified of being isolated at home when i have my baby next year, im so used to working its going to be tough.

Im also looking for pregnancy Yoga classes in the area, please let me know if you have heard of any.

many thanks

Flozzer. welcome, about yoga, there are quite a few places - active birth centre do classes as do haelan centre in crouch end ( search for birthwise yoga). A cheaper option if you are free during the day is often your local sports centre, I've discovered Park road do one monday lunch time. Have yet to try any of these out though!

flozzer, welcome, sounds like you and finland should try to get together. I'm in North London and you're more than welcome to get in touch with me, but I'll probably be returning to work full time just as you're ready to start getting out and about with your babies, in March or maybe February.

My email is elkiedee at yahoo dot co uk and my baby was born at the beginning of May.

Yoga Junction on Fonthill Road is very good!

Finland and Flooser and others, i've just moved into crouch end and only yesterday decided to change my hospital to Wittington which i'm now is very pleased about reading all your great comments.

i am a bit worried about doing so at this stage - due 17th january but it felt like the right thing so fingers crossed.

as i don't know a soul in the area it would be great to get to know some other mums and mums to be that you can share experiences with as well as enjoying the maternity leave.

i have been in contact with the girls who do the healan antenatal classes - has anyone done these?? if so any good... so late with this but hoping it will work out in the end...

Hey Mini08- Welcome to Crouch End! I go to the ante-natal yoga run by Birthwise www.birthwiseyoga.co.uk

The lady who runs it (Anna) runs classes at the Haelan centre but I go to her class on Thursday evenings at the Methodist Church in Crouch End. Would really recommend it- also a good way to meet local mums and mums-to-be. I am due just two weeks before you (also at the Whittington) so say hello if you come along to yoga- my real name is Fiona!

Hi all on here, I'm trying to organise a Haringey meetup, I've been thinking in terms of a weekday one for people with babies or at home, but could also try to organise something at the weekend or on a weekday evening (subject to having childcare) if you were interested.

As well as classes the NCT does offer chances for both mums to be and mums to meet, though because most people involved are at home or on maternity leave with babies already they tend to be weekday daytime, and what's arranged varies between areas as it depends on volunteers etc to organise something. But it's worth trying to get in touch with your local contact, especially as it sounds as though the 4 of you here having New Year babies could form a Crouch End antenatal group on your own!

Hi Mini08, Im due end of January 08 too at whittington hospital. Have you booked onto their antenatal class they run in december yet? I found that yoga in middle lane was booked up but started going to one in Turnpike lane (Hidden space) which isnt too far from MH where I live. Anyway would be good to share experience with someone due similar time - my maternity leave starts from jan 1st, cant wait!

Hi all,
elkiedee, yes would love a meet. obviously working at the moment so if a weekend / evening was organized i'll be more than happy to join you...

and i think it sounds like a good idea for us that are having dec / jan babies to get together to share thoughts and also just be nice to get to know some other mums to be in the same area - what you do think Finland, wobbegong, flozzer and others...?? we could all meet either one evening or weekend before our babies come???

i think i'm doing the healan antenatal class as there were no spaces via the Whittington - due to us just having moved into the area....

and i was thinking of coming along to the yoga class next thrusday so fiona, i'll be the very unfit new girl who doesn't know what to do - my name is Anna by the way.

hey there Mini08- I'll keep an eye out for you tomorrow!

and yes a meet-up would be great. Some of us from the class already meet up- usually mid week afternoons in the Natural Cafe, so it's mostly as we start to go on maternity leave...

hi wobbegong,

was aiming to go this thursday 15/11 as got day off. but think i need to check if not full... not very organized! so if i get in on course it would be great to see you.