North Middlesex Hospital - How is it?

[Doumetta]

Dear all, Happy New Year first of all!

I'm 14 weeks pregnant with bb1 and since I lived in North London, I have been booked in NMH (London) but despite their rather reassuring statistics, this hospital just frightened and depressed me (horrible surroundings, disinterested staff...). I wanted to change for Royal Free Hospital but they won't take any transfer of care apparently. I might consider trying to book in University College Hospital.

Could anyone either reassure me about NMH or confirm that I could have my antenatal care in UCH, even if I haven't booked there straightaway? Is there any deadline for such transfer of care?
Is it possible to have one's antenantal care somewhere and deliver in another hospital?
Being French, I am rather at lost with the NHS...

Thanks so much!!!

Might be able to offer some advice, though I am male! DW recently experienced fantastic care in A&E at NMH, really great people. Also had great care at Whittington during pregnancy & birth of DD. Sister in law has had two kids at UCH, been well cared for on both occasions. People from NCT have had babies at Royal Free na dno horror stories so you ought to be OK wherever you go. From my experience, much depends on the individuals involved and the relationships you develop with them.

Good luck!

Although I didn't give birth there I was treated at NMH for a pregnancy related illness and later on for a miscarriage. Agree the surroundings are horrible etc BUT the staff were far nicer than those I encountered at the Whittington.

I believe you can transfer - ask you GP first

Cousin and SIL both delivered there. Cousin was happy with the service, although this was about seven years ago. SIL had nephew there last year, from what I heard I wasn't terribly impressed and it was depressing, but aren't all NHS hospitals.

Message withdrawn

Thank you so much for your insights, all of you. I am still waiting for a definitive answer from Royal Free, but I feel a bit more uplifted about the possibility of ending up with NMH eventually; at least nothing ghastly to expect.

I'll try to change for UCH though: I've heard many good things about it and I had a very good experience with them at their A&E.
Do anyone know how long they allow new mums to stay after delivery? I have been a bit scared by the 6 hours discharge at the Royal Free (in France, they keep you up to a week even for a normal birth!)!

As for asking my GP's advice about tranfer of care, Mercy, that's a long story, to put it short, he was very sweet but utterly unhelpful, providing me with information that midwives in the different hospital would then contradict. It has been a game of hit and miss from the beginning!!! Hence this desperate message on Mumsnet...

Thanks again for your answers!

Doumetta

I've asked a question about UCH separately which I hope will help you too.

Doumetta, as far as I am aware, all maternity units say you must stay for a minimum of 6 hours after giving birth. As this is your first, it's quite likely you will have one overnight stay.

With dd I stayed for 3 days and with ds I stayed for 2.

Good luck!

Message withdrawn

Geranium : Sorry , I can't locate your thread about UCH (I'm really new at forum chatting!), could you give it to me please? thanks!

Mercy: It's a relief to think the 6 hours discharge are a minimum!

Another question: does the UCH offer a visiting tour of the labour ward/Birthing centre? If yes, when is it held?

Thanks!

Message withdrawn

Thanks HappyMumof2 for both your answers! I tried to reach someone at the UCH, but no luck. I've read in a thread somewhere that it may be on Sunday... I'll try to reach them again. This type of information doesn't seem to appear anywhere on their website (Royal Free mention it on theirs)...

Message withdrawn

Doumetta,

Sorry I've no idea at linking threads, haven't learnt this skill yet (only just working out the acronyms on MN). The thread is under Pregnancy too but is called Elizabeth Garrett Anderson since I think that is the part of UCH that does births.

Geranium: I'll dig around then! thanks!

HappyMumof2: that would be great. Actually, EGA is quite near from my work, I may as well pop in after work and see if anyone can answer this question. I'll pass the information if I get it!

Have a nice wk everyone!

Seems UCH offers a tour on Wednesday (part of an antenatal course) and Sunday, when they start at 3pm from the labour ward. You have to check beforehand though in case the tour is cancelled because the ward is too busy. Phone the midwives at 0207 387 9300 ext. 9567.
I'll also post this on the thread about EGA where it belongs I guess!