North London Hospitals - Experiences?

[designerbaby]

Hi all,

Having had a terrible 12 week scan experience at the North Middlesex Hospital, I'm rebooking at the Homerton... Just wondering if anyone's had any experience of these two, or any others in the area esp:

North Middlesex
Homerton
Whittington
Royal Free

Many thanks for any insights - finding info on the net is IMPOSSIBLE and you lot are by far the best source!

Ta
DB
xx

just wondering why royal free? did you live there before?

No, at first I was going to Barnet but had nothing but problems there! from not getting letters for appts with the consultants to missing scans due to them forgeting I was sitting there with a bladder the size of a watermelon for 2 hrs, My GP then referred me up to the royal free as my stress levels were thru the roof! Plus there was that awful Panorama prog

I had my twins at Homerton and can't recommend it highly enough. I had heard lots of horror stories (dirty toilets, horrible midwives) and went in expecting the worst but it was fine. Loos were regularly cleaned and the midwives I had were excellent.

They have a fantastic neonatal unit - my twins were in there for a couple of months so I got to know the hospital very well. I think people are put off as it's in a really grotty area and lots of odd people hanging around outside! If you can get past that the hospital itself is very modern and the standard of care was excellent.

Main downside is parking - there is none! We usually managed to park on the street and after hours used to sneak into the staff carpark at the front.

Would like to stress that bf support at the Homerton was really good for me - got a mw to help every time I buzzed (was in a side room). Lovely night mw also helped me to settle DS in bed with me so I could get some sleep .

And if we're bigging up the mws, Lisa was lovely, she booked me in and I managed to give birth before the end of her shift

DS had cord round his neck and was in the mw unit, but they got a doc in quickly, did episiotomy and got him out pronto (no need for ventouse or forceps). My only minor complaint was that it was so busy it took a while to get onto the postnatal ward and it took ages to get booked out when we were ready to leave.

Hoxtonchick: was Swizzler if that means anything to you

And it was CLEAN. They employ their own cleaners now (no agency staff).

HI all,
Just wantedto reiterate my thanks for all the info - I'm feeling a lot better about my choices now and reassured.

Mars lady - I think I'll be getting in touch with you - just need to broach the subject with my husband and think about the financials - just waiting for the right moment.

You've all been very helpful though, so thanks...
DB
xx

I had my son at the royal free june 05. The staff were without exception supportive, thoughtful and very kind to us. I had an extremely active labour and delivered my placenta naturally afterwards. the room was pristine the views over the Heath lovely. Having a home birth in the next 2 weeks for DC2 with Royal Free midwives because of my first experience.