Moving but don't want to change hospital

[bramberbee]

Hi everyone, I'm new to Mumsnet so please be gentle! My first baby is due in December, I currently live in W London and am signed up to have the baby at Queen Charlotte's. I will be moving to Hampton in the next month or so. I don't want to change hospital because I'll still be fairly close to QC, I'm happy with QC and I've had a few complications and I'm worried following up on them will get forgotten if I change. QC is very popular so I think the NHS will want me to change if I tell them I'm moving. So my current plan is not to tell them until I've had the baby (this would also involve not telling my GP). I think I will need to tell them when I have the baby so the midwife can visit me at home. My questions are (1) am I right in thinking no one will visit me at home before I have the baby?; and (2) has anyone else been through something similar and what happened? Thanks in advance for any help!

I moved twice after booking in. I stayed at the same hospital I was booked in although in a different county. The hospital midwives contacted the local midwives to do a home visit the day after I went home. If you don't tell them there maybe some confusion for the post natal visit, the information regarding your new address may not reach your local midwives in time. I would tell them your new address but ask to stay at the same hospital, I don't think they can force you to change?

I moved when pregnant and although I wouldn't have to change hospitals I just forgot to update my address on the booking in forms. Before I was discharged a mw checked my address and that was when I noticed it was incorrect, she changed it within a few mins and didnt cause any problems

As far as i'm aware, its patient choice where you give birth - even if its not the closest hospital. I'm booked in to give birth at the hospital that is closest to my mum's house for childcare reasons - it's not my local hospital and is in a different county/health trust, but there's been no issue.
I wouldn't hide your change of address from them - i've had unexpected letters etc come thru relevent to my antenatal care - just tell them your change of address and if they mention moving hospitals tell them you're happy where you are.

Thanks everyone, sounds like I was worrying over nothing!

bramberbee I moved during my previous pregnancy (which sadly ended in miscarriage) but the midwives said that as I'd been at the hospital (Kings) for booking, I could have stayed there for the rest of the pregnancy unless I preferred to go to a hospital in my new area. I think it depends on hospital policies because some hospitals have catchment areas and quota limits but for King's it was where you lived at the point of booking that counted.