Private post natal room at Kings?

[Hollyhop17]

Hi ladies,

Does anyone know if you can pay for a private room at Kings post delivery? My SIL gave birth in the Royal Berkshire and paid for a private room so I know it is something some hospitals do but the website isnt clear.

I'm being induced at 38 weeks due to HG and was told yesterday that I cant give birth in the MLU. I've had such a rubbish pregnancy I just wanted something to lool forward to at the end!

If anyone has given birth recently at Kings or is aware of their policy I'd appreciate your comments.

If not, how have people found the post natal ward at Kings lately?

TIA.

I had DS at Kings in May 2015 and on the recovery ward there were definitely private rooms - not sure how you go about getting them, but at the hospital I'm at now there's a hierarchy e.g. people who had stillbirths, people who had v hard deliveries, those with multiples, etc etc etc If you just want one then you pay for one, but can't guarantee availability obviously. I'd ring the midwife and ask!

Anyway. It was 2 years ago but I found Kings to be fabulous overall! Veyr very VERY busy and rooms v hot but I was by a window so could open :) was grateful birth partners could stay on recovery ward. Woman next to me either on phone or snoring all night but that's life. Staff amazing!

Ok, thanks Bendy. Good to know! I did ring my midwife but not in until tomorrow and I'm inpatient!

I gave birth at King's at the end of 2014, so caveat re 2 years is a long time etc.

My understanding is that there aren't 'private' postnatal rooms at King's in the sense of rooms you can pay for. There are individual rooms, but they are given strictly on the basis of patient need as described above.

I had a great experience giving birth in the midwife-led suite there, which is awesome, but hated postnatal I'm afraid - just the standard hot, daylight-free, noisy, brusque midwives stuff though. There were some very good breastfeeding support workers but staffing seemed poor especially overnight.

That is what I have read about the post natal ward. Obviously I dont want to take up a room from those who need it.

Just desperately hoping I go naturally as I can go to MLU then. Getting a birthing ball later for starters!

Good luck. I do feel very lucky that I had such a good birth there. I think labour ward is fine generally as well, had several NCT friends who birthed there. If all goes well birth wise then I'd just focus on trying to get out of there quick - I could've been discharged 2-3 hours after giving birth but I chose to stay to get breastfeeding help overnight. Which I did, but I'd choose differently next time around!

My midwife gave me a 'I want to give birth in the midwife-led unit' sticker for my notes which was very helpful, as I was not super coherent on admission but they wheeled me straight down there.

Sorry to gatecrash, but does anyone know if Kings let you deliver in the MLU waterbirth rooms if you have gestational diabetes but go into labour naturally (eg don't need the due date induction)?

soontobe Sorry, no idea - think your best bet is probably asking your midwife or posting your own thread might get more responses.