St Thomas' Vs St George's in London- any views please?

[MrsBloop]

I am 6 weeks pregnant with my first baby and my GP asked which hospital he should refer me to - I have very little knowledge of London hospitals or maternity care, would appreciate hearing views of those who have recent experience of either place - many thanks!

I am quite jealous of your choices - both are excellent hospitals. DH worked in both recently and tried to book me in at St Thomas', as it is one of the best maternity/baby care units in the capital in his opinion, but I am outside of their catchment area and low risk, so they rejected me. Hopefully you will have more luck! And congratulations!

Congratulations!

I had the same choice and opted for St.George's, having received excellent care there when I had an ectopic pregnancy earlier on the year. I am now sixteen weeks pg and am very pleased with my decision! Having had the ectopic I had to have two early scans, both times I was seen quickly by experienced midwives. Incidentally, in the unlikely event anything should go wrong early on the St. George's EPU is walk-in self-referral between 8am and 11am.

Once I was given the all clear to join the 'normal' care route, I was again impressed by the fact that the midwives and sonographer (at 12 week scan) were again very experienced.

Another attraction of St.George's was the fact I could have my booking in appointment on a Saturday so DH and I didn't have to find excuses to escape work prior to being ready to tell colleagues I was pregnant. My routine care is during the week but in my local health centre, so although it's not a huge hardship to get to the hospital this makes things that bit easier.

I think that both hospitals offer a birth centre delivery. I toured the maternity unit early on to see the facilities at George's. However, I have been told that St.George's is the 'go to' hospital in the unlikely event that anything should go wrong with delivery due to the resident specialists and facilities.

Finally, although I work very close to St.Thomas's I live much closer to St.George's and DH and I felt that if all goes well the baby will arrive once I finished work and being that bit closer for a first baby, when we may well get to the hospital and be sent home etc. would be better. I doubt in reality there is much between the two hospitals so ultimately this was the deciding factor!

Good luck!

ps. I'm not sure how to attach the link as using my phone, but I asked the same question a while ago. A search of the MN site may bring up the thread!

The views from the St Thomas's birth centre are amazing! Not that that's the only reason to go there. I was there this morning for an emergency check up and the midwives were excellent. But I've also heard really good things about St Georges, so you're in a good position with two great choices!

No experience of the maternity unit but the Fetal Medicine team at St Georges are excellent. If there are any concerns about your LO during the pregnancy, these guys really are awesome. Especially Prof Basky Thilaganathan who is my all time hero for the care he gave us while pregnant. Our baby was high risk for kidney problems due to a genetic issue (we lost a little boy last year at 22 weeks) and the Prof and his team saw us through some very traumatic weeks with this baby.

I would go there for my delivery if I could but as the baby is healthy, I'll be having mine at the local hospital instead.

My GP gave me this choice, but then went off-the-record and recommended St Thomas's - saying it tends to get the best funding, partly because it's opposite the Houses of Parliament and it can't be an embarrassment! The only downside is access. If you live closer to St George's then I'd go there instead. When it comes down to it, you want to be able to get there (and get home) as swiftly as poss and Tooting is always going to be easier than braving central London. Parking can be tricky (and expensive) at St T's too. So if you're close to St T's go for that, but otherwise St G's is perfectly good enough.

I am told that St Thomas' won't do home births any more (due to resources). So you may want to bear that in mind.
But check out that I was told correctly! Could just be a rumour.

I haven't given birth at St George's but I am booked in there. The MLU (Carmen Suite) is fairly new, and I visited a friend on the post-natal ward a couple of weeks ago and it seemed in good nick.

As for care, they have been good with me so far. I am referred to three consultants (mostly to do with thyroid function and antenatal depression) so I feel the pregnancy is nothing if not well-managed!

The antenatal clinic area is a bit grim and I haven't seen the same midwife twice yet, but I'm sure this is the case in most London hospitals.

As PaigeTurner says, I haven't seen the same midwife twice yet either. I asked about this and was told this was to introduce you to the whole team, as who knows who will be on duty when you are ready to deliver. Sounds sensible unless I'm in a cyncial mood, when it sounds like a big, fat excuse for poor scheduling!!

I gave birth in St Thomas and was very happy with my choice. I went there because it had been rated one of the top maternity NHS hospitals in London.
They have a great 'natural birth' unit but sadly as I had to be monitored I didn't get to use it.
The doctor was lovely and they even brought me hot tea and sandwiches at 3 in the morning after delivery...