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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Whittington hospital - london - opinions please

11 replies

Nervousexcited · 20/10/2010 18:16

Hi, I am newly pregnant anc while I don't wAnt to get carried away, we have already been asked to pick a hospital. I live in south gate and would love to pick UCH but have decided it is that bit too far. We think that all being well we would like to go to the WHittington. Opionions please.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
argylesocks · 20/10/2010 18:52

I second this question! I just picked Whittington for my care but haven't even had one appointment there yet. I picked it because I'm hoping to go to the birth centre that's really nice but you never know if that'll happen. Anyone use Whittington?

going · 20/10/2010 18:55

I used it for 2 of my children and found the care very good, it has been 6 years and a lot may have changed.

NiceShoes · 20/10/2010 19:07

Dirty,Chaotic,Noisy,Brusque MW.I would not put my dog in the whittington.I really cannot recommend anything about whittington, other than do not go. From recent experience it is a dump.

Nervousexcited · 20/10/2010 20:52

Hi, thanks for opinions! It's all very confusing as until you ar there or experience care you have no idea, plus it is too early to tell family so cannot get thier opinion.. niceshoes were you in the birthing suit? And where would you go if you could do it over again?

OP posts:
margherita76 · 21/10/2010 10:48

I wanted and had planned to use the lovely birthing suite and couldn't as I had to be monitored. I had a fairly difficult delivery 7 weeks ago but all the midwives and doctors were great and I have had very good aftercare. I would thoroughly recommend the Whittington - especially as it is closer to you. Congratulations by the way!

RoxieP · 21/10/2010 11:16

I can't speak for the maternity unit, but I had to go to A&E there once when I used to live in Crouch End, as I had a bad reaction to antibiotics (pre-pregnancy). I was taken there by ambulance but left on a trolley for hours before anyone saw me and the place was filthy, it was like being in the third world! There was dried blood and grime everywhere - filty sinks and taps etc. It looked liek it hadn't been cleaned in months. I'm a medical student now so I've since seen inside lots of other hospitals and I've still never seen anything that comes close to beeing as bad as the A&E at Whittington. It was at the weekend so maybe I just caught them at a bad time... This was about 3 years ago, and the maternity unit might be a different kettle of fish, so here's hoping they're not using the same cleaning staff in the maternity wards now!

princesschocolatefinger · 21/10/2010 11:26

Everything was very clean when I was at the Whitington. A friend recently told me her obstetrician friend rates Whittington over UCH- obviously this is hearsay but it impressed me!

ohforfoxsake · 21/10/2010 11:28

9 years ago when I had DC1 I was booked in there, and it had a pretty awful reputation. Chances are things have improved, but you are definately doing the right thing by investigating further.

It's worth remembering that you can change hospitals during your pregnancy if you aren't happy.

Good luck.

staryeyed · 21/10/2010 11:36

Im booked in here and I had a baby hear 18months ago. Had a very positive experience. Lovely staff and clean surroundings.

lieinqueen · 21/10/2010 14:38

I've recently moved away from the area, so won't be having my baby there, but I had my appointments there up to the 24 weeks.

I've heard good things about the birthing suite there, but can't speak from experience.

My experience of routine check-ups was generally negative - worst thing was the midwife I had disagreeing with me about how many weeks pregnant I was (based on the date of my last period, i.e. a matter of fact/definition not one of opinion). I had to count the weeks for her to convince her that she was using her dating calendar incorrectly. It just made me think that if she can't do such a basic calculation, how can she possibly be competent?

I saw another midwife at the next appointment (having complained and asked to see someone different from then on) who wasn't impressive either. I asked some questions about some stuff that was worrying me, and came away still worried. ("Patient reassured about xxx", she wrote in my notes. Reassured my hat!)

Next couple of appointments I saw original midwife, despite apologetic note from Whittington saying I wouldn't be seen by her again. Both felt pointless - she said "how are you?", I said "fine", she listened to the baby's heartbeat for a 30 seconds. She then wrote in my notes (a) measurements for the height of my fundus, which she hadn't measured (unless she was doing it by eye, or something, which seems unlikely) and (b) that I had felt the baby move - which she hadn't asked me about. I was very unimpressed.

However - I was impressed by the sonographers both at the 20 week scan and the dating scan - they were both happy to answer questions once they'd done their technical bit, and when there was a problem at the 20 week scan I saw a consultant the same day, who was brilliant - everything I'd want in a doctor. I felt that she was being honest, listening to my questions and giving me useful answers, explaining my options, not being patronising, putting things into perspective, being sensible and no-nonsense (which was exactly what I needed) yet also sensitive - I couldn't praise her highly enough.

Overall, I'm not sure what I'd be doing if I hadn't moved away from the area - probably researching UCH tbh, although the Whittington was much more convenient. I was not impressed that I was told I'd not been seen by that midwife again, yet then kept getting appointments with her (if they had told me when to make appointments to avoid her I would have done!) and really wouldn't want to give birth supported by the first midwife I saw - but than it very much seems to be the luck of the draw with midwives and, as I say, the consultant was great, and I have friends who have had excellent experiences of birth at the Whittington.

lieinqueen · 21/10/2010 14:41

Sorry, that was really long Blush

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