Kings or St Thomas's?

[Belu]

Hi there. I was wondering if anyone could give me an opinion as to which of these two hospitals would be better, and whether a "nice" hospital beats distance?

I am 20 weeks and about to move house into a different area. We are currently booked in with the Royal London, which has been good, but not enough to make it worth travelling across London once we've moved. Our choices in our new area are Kings (which is about ten minutes away) and Thomas's (which I think will be anything between 20 minutes and 45+ depending on traffic). I really want to go to Thomas's as I have read good things about it, like having the option of a midwife led unit, visited a friend there who was very impressed and, also, rightly or wrongly, just think it sounds a much nicer place to give birth than Kings! Am I being really stupid to think it is worth travelling the extra distance - and am I right anyway in thinking that Thomas's is that much nicer than Kings in the first place?!

I would be really grateful for any opinions - at the moment, this feels like a really big decision (and I guess I will nevcer really know if I make the right one!). Thanks very much in advance.

St Thomas's definitely

I'm in the same boat with St Georges in Tooting and St Thomas's.
Georges will be nearer when we move but i'm already going to Thomas's for scans etc.
Heard better things about Thomas's.

Thank you both. This really ties in with what I am already thinking. I'm only questioning my decision because of the distance thing, but I guess lots of people are a bit of a further from their hospital anyway - it's just Kings is so close....

King's doesn't have a midwife-led unit but is midwife-led care on the ward unless you need the doctors. Depending on where you are, you could also consider the new birthing centre at Lewisham Hospital, which looks amazing. Transport might be easier to there. But if you really want to go to Tommy's, I'd go wherever you'd feel happier.

Tommy's x3 here and it is pretty good though the aftercare the first two times was truly dreadful. Especially the first time seven years ago.

And the third was great only because it was during The Great Snow and there were loads of lovely volunteers. For much of the time I had a wonderful, elderly midwife who hadn't worked on a ward for years looking after me. She was appalled by the way standards had dropped.

The view from Tommy's is wonderful.

I've heard lots of good things about Kings.

Why don't you go visit both before you decide? St Thomas's organises tours and I expect Kings does the same.