elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital (UCH)

[geranium]

I'm hoping to change to UCH for a (probable) c-section (2nd one) in a few months time. I would be grateful for MN experience of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital and, in particular, if anyone has had a recent c-section there.

Midwife said the building was all fairly dark and gloomy (moving to new build in 2008) so I might not get that much from visiting but do MNers think it is clean, not to bad for MRSA and good in the event of c-sections/ emergency c-sections (if I went for trial of labour)? It sounds like there is a midwife-led unit and then a more medical, monitored unit. Is that right? If so, I think past history would mean I would be in the second so interesting to know what that in particular is like.

Thanks and sorry for all the questions. Just suddenly realising that if I don't sort myself out I may be down for an elective c-section in a place with a terrible reputation and bad (reputedly) MRSA rate.

PrettyCandles is right - you can choose - you just have to be v assertive if you encounter any opposition.

Thank you all for your advice and comments.
As a matter of fact, it seemed rather uncomplicated to book in a hospital even out of any catchment area first time around (only problem being having no information about the different hospitals at the time my GP asked me where I wanted to book - I was 6 weeks pg and just discovered it!). It started to become more of a struggle when I wanted to transfer my care from North Middlesex Hosp to Royal Free when I was only 11 weeks pg. They just said they won't accept any transfer of care (and to my dismay, added that I would have had a chance if I had applied first to their hospital ...) There was no way to inflect them (I'm not terribly assertive, but I insisted, I swear !).

But UCH seems more open and helpful - and it is next to where I work - which should be great for antenatal care - and quite near from where I live. So I keep hoping this errand between hospitals will soon be over!

As for antenatal courses, I guess I'll go for a NCT branch in my area...I know I should care for these courses now, as they tend to fill up pretty quickly, but...that will be the next item on the agenda -as well as training DH in hospital room disinfection !!!

Thanks again all for your help and good wishes! All the best to you as well.