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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Choose your hospital... RUBBISH!

36 replies

sck · 01/10/2004 17:16

I'm so depressed. I've just been to my GP at only 6 weeks pregnant to ask for a referral to another hospital. I made it very clear I didn't want to go to St. Peters (in Chertsey) and he said "I'm afraid you have no choice". I told him I wanted to go to Queen Charlotte, but would settle for Kingston. He said he'd write the letter to Queen Charlotte. But, told me not toget my hopes up. What do you suppose they would do if I just refusesed to go to St. Peters. I'm so depressed and even more frustrated.

HAs anyone else had this experience? Is there anything I can do? Anyone I can complain to?

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Hulababy · 01/10/2004 17:26

So sorry, not sure what your next step is. But I am sure someone on Mn will do - hang in there for them to arrive!

I did go for the alternative hospital choice and I encountered no problems at all with it. It was all done very simply, with no need for me to do anything at all. So it is possible.

SoupDragon · 01/10/2004 17:31

You do have a choice although in my area they try to force you to go to the main large local hospital. You need to work very hard to get into one of the others.

Original poster

sck · 01/10/2004 17:34

Work hard? How? I'm only six weeks so I think I've started this process ahead of the game. I'm not afraid to open my mouth and demand what I feel should be my right. Does anyone know who I can contact???

Any advice musch appreciated.

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Original poster

sck · 01/10/2004 17:35

Who says I have a choice? Is there an official document that says this? Is there a procedure I should know about?

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foxinsocks · 01/10/2004 17:37

Where are you?

I think it depends entirely how full the hospital is. I know QCharlotte's is getting very booked up (a friend of mine is going there but was told she was extremely lucky to get a place). Some hospitals won't take you at all if you live out of their 'catchment' area. Your best bet is to phone the hospital direct and give them your address and ask if they normally take people from your area.

You can complain to your health authority (and directly to the hospital) but if they have taken the maximum number of people for the month you are due, I'm not sure how successful you'll be.

And yes, for what it's worth, I don't think there is really any choice at all (it's a bit like schools really - they say you choose your school but everyone knows that's rubbish).

lou33 · 01/10/2004 17:40

Has Queen Charlottes moved? I went in there after having dd1 at home, and we drove by the old site the other day, to see blocks of flats?! When did that happen, and where is it now?

foxinsocks · 01/10/2004 17:42

it has moved - next to Hammersmith hospital on du Cane Rd, so fairly near the BBC. It happened just after I had my first (Aug 2000) and before I had my second (Nov 2001)!

hoxtonchick · 01/10/2004 17:43

This document from the Department of Health website talks about choice in maternity services a lot, might be worth waving it at your doctor. For what it's worth, I had no problems at all living in Hackney & having my ds at St Mary's in Paddington. Good luck.

Original poster

sck · 01/10/2004 17:54

I'm in middlesex / close to Surrey. I'm thinking of just refusing to go to any appointments. I'm not going to St. Peters. It's as simple as that.

I'm definitely outside of QC catchment. I'm also outside of Kingston catchment, but only just barely.

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lou33 · 01/10/2004 17:57

Cheers foxi.

foxinsocks · 01/10/2004 18:14

what about west mid?

(friend of mine has just had one there and said it was good -nice and new)

Original poster

sck · 01/10/2004 19:05

Thanks foxi, but my first baby was a bad experienc of being induced and then ending up being knocked out for an emergency cesarean because of foetal distress. So, I really want an elective cesarean. And west mid has a pretty low elec ces. rate. I really want a hopital who will likely be willing to accommodate my wishes.

I'm really really mad at the NHS system. I think it's terrible. I pay my share of taxes to support it, and get crap because of some stupid adress lottery.

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artyjoe · 01/10/2004 19:08

I know how you feel, St Peters is atrocious. I've had several dreadful experiences and am only 24 weeks. Having said this, I am continuing to go and get my scans etc there but when I go into labour I intend to go to Heatherwood...if you arrive in labour they have to take you, full stop!

It is worth saying though that although I personally think St Peters is dreadful and 90% of the staff incompetent plebs...my next door neighbour who is due a day after me (!) has nothing but praise for the hospital and staff, she thinks it's great and is definitely going to give birth there...I'd rather have my child in my car personally.

I would also say that if you are six weeks with your first child then don't cut off your nose to spite your face by not going for your scans, bloods etc at St Peters...the early pregnancy people and the day unit staff are very nice...it's just the maternity ward that are full of w***s.

artyjoe · 01/10/2004 19:09

Sorry SCK, we posted at the same time !

foxinsocks · 01/10/2004 19:18

oh I see.

If you are so set against St Peter's, it may be that you can't rule out places like West Mid. Just because it has a low elec ceasarean rate, may not mean what you think. One of my friends had a phobia about giving birth (she truly became terrified whenever the word labour was mentioned) and from what I remember, she had an elective c-section on the NHS (and I think it was west mid though it may have been Kingston) because they thought her fears were valid. I imagine if you really were adamant that you weren't having a vaginal birth becuase of past experiences, that they may well let you have a c-section wherever you end up.

I'm sorry it's causing you all this stress though. Would it be worth having another chat with your GP and explaining your last experience and asking him to write to other hospitals as well? Do you perhaps feel that you haven't dealt with your last birth experience yet?

If I was in your position and had had a bad experience at a hospital, I would absolutely dig my heels in and refuse to go back there. No matter what the Health authority says on choice, I cannot believe they can force you to go somewhere you do not feel comfortable.

Original poster

sck · 01/10/2004 19:22

I've actually already booked the nuchal privately at the Fetal Medicine Cantre. When I was pregnant the first time, we lived in Winchester, where they don't offer the nuchal. So I had to have it provately. But, I was so impressed with the higher quality of care there that I decided that for this pregnancy I want the scans done there anyway.

So, I just won't tell the jerks at St. Peter's but really I will have perfectly good quality care for me and baby.

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Original poster

sck · 01/10/2004 19:34

hiya, so glad there someone on here to be supportive right now. Thanks, guys :-)

First, I should say that the first one wasn't at St. Peters. So it not trying to avoid the first place. And, it's not an emotional thing about fear. It's more a logical decision to not risk going down the same road again.

I was two weeks over due (though the midwives would only acknowledge one) The midwives were busy persuading me not to worry that it was fine to be overdue. Meanwhile I was reading on the internet that at 42 weeks the placenta can start to deteriorate resulting in less oxygen to the baby. When finally they referred me to the consultant, they told me to tell the consultant that I wanted to go for as long as possible and not be induced. ALso, when she called to make the referral she actually asked for an appointment as far in advance as possible. Well, the second I got to the consultant I said I wanted to be induced as soon as possible. I was... that night. When the contractions got going, DH heart rate dropped and after gas and air an epidural, and a stronger epidural... tey ended up knocking me out so they could get in and get her out ASAP. Happy ending to this story and she is perfectly fine. But, the reason all this happened was because she was so wrapped up in the cord (around her neck TWICE!) that when the contractions pushed her down the cord tighteded around her neck and her heart rate dropped.

Now if I had stayed at home, waited for labour to start on it's own, and waited until they were 5 minutes apart before going to the hospital... would she have been in foetal distress... or would she have been still born????

And that is why I want a cesarean this time round. It is my opinim that every pregnant woman should be given the chhoice to see an obstetrician and not told to stay home and wait for nature to take it's course because sometimes nature takes a bad course...

Oh my... I hope you wanted to hear all that.

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midden · 01/10/2004 19:35

Not sure if you have already seen this but some good info and contacts re choosing hospital.

Original poster

sck · 01/10/2004 19:36

Oh goodness... that was DD's heart rate. DH's heart rate was okay...

Oh, and as for you point about accepting west mid.... yes, I may have to do that. It would be better than St. Peter.

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foxinsocks · 01/10/2004 19:38

gawd, how frightening for you. I'm glad everything turned out OK.

Is your fear then that you may end up at a hospital that doesn't 'allow' you to have an elective c-section?

Original poster

sck · 01/10/2004 19:39

Hi midden. Thanks. But, yes I've seen it. I got all my information for my decision on what hospital I preferred from birthchoice.co.uk and from Dr Foster... only to be told I had no choice.

Now in the Gps defense, he did agree to write the letter. He said it would go out on Monday. So,I plan to contact Queen Charlotte and follow up... and beg! Maybe it will help. Nothingto lose, I think.

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Original poster

sck · 01/10/2004 19:42

Yes, mostly. But also because I've heard such crap about St. Peters from so many people. Although one or two have said good things.

I didn't even really think about a cesarean last time. I just took the midwives persuation. But, I am not squeemish about surgery, so when things took a turn for the worse and they suggested cesarean, it took all of about a quarter of a second to sign the form and away I went.

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foxinsocks · 01/10/2004 19:47

I would call QC (but don't get too disheartened if you don't get anywhere because it is hard to get in to). It may be worth getting the gp to write letters to Kingston and West Mid NOW (i.e.early on in your pregnancy) just to cover your back. If you get accepted at 2 places, you can always cancel the one you don't want. At least that way, you may end up having a choice rather than chasing hospitals only to get a no and then having to start all over again.

bez · 01/10/2004 20:01

I have heard of an email group on yahoo called ukmidwifery. Its for mums and other interested people as well as midwives and they are meant to be really good. Dont know the address but look at the association of radical midwives site. You may get a reply from others in your area, possibly from midwives who are very experienced or knowledgeable.

Original poster

sck · 01/10/2004 21:38

THank BEZ. It took me an eternity to register on yahoo. But, I'll see if it helps. Must admit though I'm a bit of a sceptic because it's been my experience that midwives aren't great supporters of caesareans...

But, thanks for the tip. Perhaps it will help.

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