Kings or St Thomas’ for antenatal care?

[Robs20]

Hi all,
I have self-referred to Kings and have my first appt next week at 9 weeks. DH wants to transfer to St Thomas- our dd was treated there for 4 months (and later died there) and we know the neonatal drs very well. There is a chance these DTs could have the same condition as DD.
Has anyone given birth at either hospital (especially anyone who had a high risk pregnancy)? I know that wherever we go we will be consultant led and under fetal medicine but I have no idea about what the maternity care is like. Also wondering if DH could stay on the postnatal ward at St Thomas? I think this is possible at Kings and would be important!
Thanks!

I’ve given birth at both. Not high risk but two c sections so second was consultant led. They were both fine but the antenatal care at kings is done in their beautiful research-funded new fmu. Lots of research projects means access to cutting edge technology. I’d really recommend it.

Care during births was done at both. I stayed on the post natal ward at Thomas’ and absolutely hated it. DH was allowed to stay thankfully but it was hot and noisy and stressful. I think that’s pretty standard for post natal from what I’ve heard. At kings (my second birth) we paid £200 to have a private room and it was fab. So much more relaxed and more space for DH to sleep and fit us to regroup. Hope that helps.

Should say care was fine at both!

Everything Dorothea said. I had 2 babies at King's. They opened the fetal medicine unit between the two and it is a great building brilliantly equipped.

They always have studies going on and loads of researchers who are delighted to spend lots of time with you if you can be part of various studies.

But St Thomas's probably has all of that too. They are both big teaching hospitals. I'm biased because DH worked at King's and DC1 went to the nursery there though.

Thank you both, that is reassuring to hear. I actually have a preference for Kings - closer to home and won’t have to go through the emotional trauma of visiting St thomas’ every few weeks for appts/ deal with the likelihood these babies will need at least some time in scbu.