Whipps Cross Hospital

[Ktn35]

Hi!
Anyone had any recent experience having a baby here? I am booked in but have a choice between Newham, Whipps or Homerton and I have heard bad stories and good stories about each but mainly from a few years ago.
I'd appreciate any feedback!
Thanks
X

Not sure about Whipps Cross but I went for Newham. Only had my booking in appointment so far, but I read about the facilities. I think I read WC are still building a new maternity unit but Newham's is quite big and new.

I had my son in Whipps four years ago and they were brilliant. A friend had her baby there last year and had a good experience too.
Have a look at the NHS reviews site and you can get more comparisons. At the end of the day it's often down to luck and timing of which staff are working when you go in and what time/period of the year.
Consider which you can get to quickest at any time of the day (traffic obviously changes during the day) in case of any last minute dash/emergency x

Placemarking as Whipps is my local hospital

I had my DS at Whipps in 2014 and it was handled very badly. Midwives neglected to tell me that my baby was back to back and left me writhing in agony on a trolley with NO PAIN RELIEF for 12 hours. Eventually after nearly 36 hours of labouring with no progression, despite induction via drop, my baby went into distress and we nearly lost him. I was whisked through for an emergency c section.

Aftercare was poor, I was still numb and unable to get up or lift my baby. I had to buzz for a midwife to get him out of his cot and bring him to me/change him. I was told off for buzzing for this reason - how else was I supposed to get him?! There was no BF support. Nobody spotted DS's 90% tongue tie and nobody remembered to remove my catheter until I asked 'should this still be in?'

Not sure where you live or what your birth plans are but there is a lovely birth centre run by Newham that's in Barking.

I've found UCLH to be excellent this time around

I had DD at Homerton in 2016 - Prenatal care was all fine - was consultant led from the start as underlying health condition meant pregancy was high risk and knew I would have have planned induction at 38weeks. BUT the induction itself was very very badly managed and the postnatal care was shocking. So although thats not what you asked I wouldnt recommend the Homerton at all!

We must be in the same area as I was offered the same choice. 30.5 weeks into pregnancy with Homerton and very happy with the care I've received so far. My friend had a baby there 1.5 years ago - difficult labour and baby had a stay in NICU and she said she couldn't fault the care which helped me make the decision. Congrats on your pregnancy!

Interested in responses as I'm at whipps too. I've had a few problems that I've needed to go to the EPU for and they have been wonderful. I've heard bad things about Newham. But, I've heard excellent things about Hommerton, I didn't want to use it as my DH used to work there.

Thanks for advice guys. I seem to hear such mixed reviews about all of them. I really don't want to be going in and out of central London when it comes to The birth but I also want decent care! All 3 were in 'requires improvement' a couple of years ago and are now 'good' which is positive! I think people are right and it seems to depend on the day! Think I will stay with Whipps for now, ask to see the maternity unit and I can always change later if I'm not happy. However the Newham birthing centre in barking sounds worth investigating ...

Interested to see these. I'm 33 weeks and going to Homerton. Hope it's ok! Antenatal care has been great so far.

Just wanted to check in to see if you had any further experiences? This is my local hospital and had good experiences with the EPU so far

I had my DD there 3 years ago now. I was in for 6 days as had a failed induction followed by an emergency c-section. My overall impression was very positive. I had one midwife I didn't warm to and had I had a quick Labour and she was my only experience of the place I might see things differently but as it was I was in for a while and saw a lot of different midwives, doctors etc. I'm having this baby there too. I'm consultant led and I have to say that the consultants I've seen to date have all been wonderful. Very compassionate to my circumstances and all have read my notes so no needing to explain every single time which I'm really appreciative of.

I've heard mixed reviews like you but I know a number of people that have had their babies there in the last year and all bar one had a good experience. I definitely think it's sometimes luck of the draw in terms of who you get etc. Hope all goes well for you

I had the same experience as talcott17 at Homerton, antenatal was ok but postnatal shocking! There were some lovely members of staff but they were all clearly overworked.

Unfortunately all the hospitals are underfunded and overstretched so be prepared to be vocal and make sure your partner is ready to fight your corner if needed. I'm not saying that to scare you - chances are everything will be totally fine wherever you end up - I just wish someone had said thay to me before I had DD so I was a bit more prepared for what it would be like.