Is it ridiculous to want to go to an inconvenient hospital because it's nice and I have been there before (UCH v Whipps Cross/Homerton)

[wildpoppy]

Had previous two babies at UCH. Is v nice building and world centre of excellence. I had complications with dc1 and was therefore keen to be somewhere so well regarded with dc2 though turned out to be normal. Also convenient to get to for appointments - good public transport from my house and meant dh could get there for appointments from work then go back to work.

Have since moved house and now pg again. Nearest two hospitals are Homerton and Whipps Cross.

I have heard absolutely dreadful things about whipps cross - in fact I don't know anyone who has had a good birth experience there. On other hand parking is easy (though expensive) and could gt there in 15 ins if necessary.

Have heard good things about Homerton but public transport from my place to there not good and if I went into labour in rush hour could easily take over an hour despite short distance as the crow flies.

I really want to go back to UCH. It is not terribly convenient but not awful - could get tube to within a 10 in walk from there for appts and still good for dh to get to from work. If I go into labour then could take an hour to get there. Plus we have totally sussed where to park for driving in when I go into labour. That said, last labour v short but just happened to start while in hospital waiting for induction so was already there. So a bit worried about having time to get in...

But I know how it works as had two babies there already, like that it is a centre of excellence. I have to be on labour ward after a retained placenta first time round which is more likely to happen second time plus am a fatty.

I can self refer there so shouldn't be a problem, but is it silly to do so?

Go wherever you think you'll feel the most comfortable, is my advice.

I gave birth at Homerton and DS had to go to the NICU and SCBU - the care was excellent. We have recently moved to another borough and will shortly be TTC and I think I'll nominate Homerton as my hospital despite it being 45 mins away

Absolutely go for the 'best' hospital in your opinion. Convenience is secondary. I chose Queen Charlotte which is 16 miles away over 2 other hospitals that are 6-7 miles away in 2 directions. It was very hard to travel. But I felt very safe & in best hands. Also it had world class neo natal services which I was keen to have. I had a very quick previous labour & like you I was worried about reaching in time. But I found that being experienced I recognised the onset of labour quite early & got there in good time. My consultant gave me an option to book a studio room in hospital accommodation close to my due date to help get there soon, but luckily I didn't have to use it. With older DC its not practical anyways. I just planned for emergencies & had taxi driver numbers/ friends enlisted etc if labour were to start suddenly.

Any day I would choose a better & safer delivery over travel convenience.

By 'better' I mean - in your opinion, not necessarily that the closer hospital is any worse!

Not ridiculous at all. I've heard nothing good about the Homerton lately (I know 4 people who have given birth there since October), it seems to be struggling to cope with all the people who are transferring from Whipps. I know one person who had an ok experience at Whipps recently, I had my abtenTal care there and it was a joke (the home birth team are fantastic though, if that's an option for you). I've only ever heard good things about UCH. Third baby though..,, depends how quickly you could get there? :D

Sorry just saw that you have to be on the labour ward. Don't think self-referring to UCH is ridiculous at all. Good luck whatever you decide!