North London Maternity Wards? Lucky me... Not

[Roopachoo]

Ok so after the initial euphoria of seeing those faint pink test lines turn darker and darker, I am now petrified of having to take myself off down to one of two of possibly the worst maternity wards... ever. Yes, either Barnet or Chase Farm...

The next best option is The Royal Free, although it is a 40 min drive, and even here I haven't heard the best of stories. UCH or Guys and Tommys is just too far. What would you do in my situation? I've heard there has been a staff overhaul at RFH- has anyone given birth there this past year? Am I being a sissy and should just give birth in the shed?

Thanks MumNW- good to know that you didn't have a problem getting and keeping a room. Fabby.

It's just ridiculous CF might be closed down with Barnet already overstretched.

I have mixed feelings about the whittington. Bits were horrific and bits were great.

My DD ended up in NICU and the NICU staff were awesome but part of the reason she ended up there was rubbish stuff during the labour.

The community midwives are completely awesome and I adored them. I got my own room most of the time (was in 8days due to DD's condition).

They did give me lots of post natal traumatic birth follow up which was good but some of the nurses wanted shooting for things they said to me (Have made formal complaints against them).

Have moved out of area now but if I were to have a subsequent DC there it would be by ELCS and getting the hell out of there as soon as physically possible!

I'm 10 weeks pregnant and saw my doctor on Friday. I was given three hospital options - Chase Farm, Barnet and North Middlesex. I chose Barnet but have since been told that North Middlesex is a better option - does anyone have experiences at Barnet and North Middlesex that they would like to share to help me make my decision? I am 44 years old and this is my first baby.