Does anyone have experience of Lewisham Hospital's labour and postnatal ward, please? Or King's?

[frisbyrat]

That's about it, really. I'm trying to decide between my two nearest hospitals, Lewisham, and King's.

I actually had my dd in Lewisham, and thought I'd successfully managed to forget a lot of the experience (i.e. blocked it right out), but having registered there for this pregnancy, more and more is coming back to me, and it's making me a bit worried. I'm 32 weeks, so I still have time for the GP to refer me to King's, apparently.

I don't really want to rely on empirical evidence of one, so does anyone else have any experience of either place?

Thanks very much!

I had my 1st child (3 in Aug) at Lewisham - I was impressed with some of the midwife's others I found dismissive, but I went through a lot of shift changes before ds decided to make an appearance. The postnatal ward was hot and stuffy and horrible but I imagine they all are! I did opt for homebirth for dd last year which might indicate to you how I felt about the overall experience.

It is mportant you feel comfortable about your choice of venue but I don't think Lewisham is the worst place in the world to have a baby - i just wish I had had the confidence to discharge myself and baby sooner. It is the hanging around after the baby is born that I found difficult, and I don't think that would have been different in any hospital iykwim.

Good luck whereever you decide to go.hth

Thanks, bigmouth!

One in each! Verrrrry different births but I would choose Kings, Kings, Kings. It's not perfect but I would choose it. I can't know for sure that they would have found me a room before I was in transition... (Lewisham) and actually I wasnt' distressed about labouring in the corridor.... (seriously, I had my tens, my pillow, a zen attitude and a desire to be standing) but it was all a bit 'relaxed' without being particularly friendly. Also, the feeding support at Lewisham was of an astonishingly low quality when I was there and Kings has that fantastic unit.

I don't think I'd like to be labouring in the corridor, Toots! Mind you, that didn't happen to me last time. I did find the midwives quite unfriendly and brusque, though (apart from the wonderful lady who actually delivered my baby, thankfully!).
Am interested to hear that King's has special facilities...
Thanks for the reply.

Hi,

I've had two babies at Kings, and think they are great.

I got to Kings for my second quite late, and they did make me wait a little while before they could find me a bed, but it was only a matter of 15 minutes or so so not too bad.

After the birth I found them not quite so good as after my first - I didn't think the bf support was as good as first time round, but then maybe they do concentrate their resources on the "new mums".

We were discharged 36 hours after the birth. I got the impression they were quite keen to see the back of us (I tried to push to stay another day and I thought DS was getting quite jaundiced) but I think the ped thought I was mad wanting to stay another day!

All in all though, if I have any more babies I would go back to Kings - great team of specialists, and clean modern facilities...

Good luck

Hi,
I am only 16 weeks and had the same choice as you as I live between the two. I chose Kings as a family member had a pretty unpleasant time in Lewisham last year - midwives dismissive and she was left alone pushing for a long time before anyone came and noticed the baby was distressed. Had to have an emergency cs. Postnatal ward pretty awful - visited her there a few times was chaotic.
Have only met Kings midwives once was OK - not super friendly but think they're all under a lot of pressure.
Sorry, am prob not much help but thought I'd get my bit in! Good luck whatever you choose.

Thanks for the advice, mm22bys and mrshopeful! Think I need to arrange a quick tour round King's if I can, as it's sounding like the better option now....