Moving from Chelsea and Westminster to Queen Charlotte

[kittypower]

I'm booked into Chelsea and Westminster to have my baby in August but I keep hearing such bad reports about it, I'd like to move to Queen Charlotte. Do you know how I go about moving hospitals. I have my first scan booked in at C&W on 8 Feb, should I try and move before than or after do you think?
Thanks
X

I think you need to go via your GP

Kittypower

Im booked in to C&W in August too. Also thought about changing after looking at various websites but after speaking to a LOT of people (including doctors who've had babies there and QC/Marys etc)have decided to stay put.

Have you had your first midwife appointment yet- mine is this week. You could wait till then and see how you feel after?

kittypower, I doubt at this late stage they'd have space for you, they fill up very quickly but your GP would be your first port of call. Good luck

Stay put!

Charlotte's is best for ante natal care, scans etc

but

C&W is better for birth and after

A Gyne consultant who has worked in London for over 30 years (and continues to do so) told me this and I do believe him

I went to Charlotte's and changed.

Oh no, now i don't know what to do again!! Jem 1969, what made you decide to stay put at C&W? I was talking to someone today who said they changed to charlottes as you are much more likely to get your own room and your hubbie is allowed to stay the night where as at C&W you are in a big ward and Hubbie isn't allowed to stay...

X

sorry KP I did'nt mean to get you more confused.

have you been to both hospitals, walked the wards and met the staff?

maybe if you can get a tour of each that will help you make your mind up

I'm sure that ultimately, there are no hard and fast rules, it is about what YOU are comfortable with, ultimately

good luck - !

Thanks sleepfinder, i haven't been for a look around yet, I'll try and arrange it. What made you move from Charlottes, did you go to C&W?
XX

I had a baby at QC 3 years ago. You can pay for a private room but they don't always have them but for everyone else its 4 to a room. Partners can stay till about 11 in the normal rooms, no idea in the private rooms. They can stay all night in the birth centre rooms if you have a natural birth.

They can stay all night in the private rooms. If you have a lovely midwife your partner can stay free. They have a pull out bed. My last clients did this. The private room was lovely!

I moved from Charlottes because of the following reasons

1. I was 37yrs old and the midwife had no intention of seeing me between week 10 and week 22 unless there was a clear problem (I would have prefered more frequent monitoring of urine and bloods)

1. they completely lost my blood tests...twice...

1. At week 22 the midwife, having confirmed my meeting at the hospital with her, did not turn up and I sat in the waiting room for 2 hrs ( the signs say please don't make a fuss, delays do happen) before I asked for help and they told me it was her DAY OFF

I was afraid that something could slip past un-noticed and then be a major problem.

My first effort to move was to C&W which was full (due Sept, busy month) and so I ended up at the Portland (and subsequently with a HUGE credit card bill!)

But I'm glad I left. I was anxious about all those yellow signs outside the hospital telling people to keep an eye on their belongings and the teenage mums 8 months pregnant outside having a sneaky fag.

....

?

Thanks sleepfinder, maybe I should just stay at C&W then. I kind of made my decision to move as our neighbour just had a baby at C&W and they sent her home three times during labour even though she was really struggling and the last time they sent her home her waters had already broken. That didn't sound great to me.
X

I think if you say " I AM NOT LEAVING" there is not much they can do. Also if your DP is there insisting that you stay, all the better...