Royal London Hospital reviews

[Maggie2011]

Hi all,

I am a first time mother and very excited about my baby. I have been referred to the Royal London Hospital for my pregnancy.

However, when I searched online, I saw reports that rate this hospital as being probably one of the bottom 5 to be giving birth in. The report is a bit old, so not sure how valid it is now.

Would be grateful if you could probably share your views of this hospital. Also, what other options would you recommend?

Thanks in advance for all your feedback.

-Maggie

This will be my local hospital too so would like some info although I am hoping to have the baby at the Barkantine Birth Centre which is part of the Royal London, have you heard of it Maggie?

In my experience, the hospital is shabby and a bit grubby. They are short of staff and it's pretty chaotic.

However, the fantastic staff on the labour ward stayed calm, kept me informed and got my baby out safely in an emergency.

In short, if you want a morning paper and croissants, book into the Portland but I really could not fault the professionalism and support given by the RLH staff (although post natal ward is very hecitc but I really did feel that most staff were doing their best).

FWIW, someone I know was booked into the Royal London but ended up going to St. Thomas and paying for a private midwife...not sure how much that costs.

I had my first baby at the RL almost 3 years ago. We transferred in from the Barkantine at transition after contractions stalled.

Yes, the hospital was shabby - although they were doing some rebuilding so maybe that has changed - but, by and large the labour ward staff - docs and MWs alike - were calm and professional, and got my baby out safely. One MW in particularly (Clemmie?) sticks in my mind as being very good, both brisk and cheerleader-y as I pushed my baby out once the synto drip had done its work. Unfortunately the other MW, who was with me for the two hours prior to that seemed disinterested and distant. But maybe that is the luck of the draw anywhere.

Post-natal was bad (certainly when compared with my second birth at a Hampshire hospital). I wasn't offered anything o eat or drink until breakfast after giving birth at 2am after 30 hours of labour. Skin-to-skin post-birth was ruled out brusquely by disinterested MW on the grounds that my baby's lungs needed aspirating. And no-one asked if he had fed until the next morning when a BF counsellor came round. My discharge notes stated "baby not interested" in the section for baby's feeding. Luckily, with the help of the Barkantine's post-natal care I persevered at home and we established BFing.

The Brkantine is fab: lush, ensuite double rooms and, most crucially, excellent MWs (in my experience, at least). I was lucky and had a MW in labour who I'd also seen ante-natally (Mary -wonder if she's still there). On the downside, it is at least 10 mins from the RL where you will go if problems arise. And about 20 or 25% of first time mothers do transfer (the exact figures are googleable).

Do go on a Barkantine tour and they should be able to answer any questions. I think they now only take over
your ante-natal care at 36 weeks but I also think they offer some ante-natal classes as well as post-natal groups (I did baby massage).

Whatever you decide, good luck and congratulations on your pregnancy.