Where to give birth North London; Barnet or UCLH or elsewhere?

[ElodieC]

Dear Mums,
I found several threads on that topic but all quite old and we all know in a few years things can change!
I am looking for recent experiences on antenatal cares and births in Barnet and UCLH hospitals, or any North London ones (I'm Enfield based).
Interested in ward experiences as I'm not considering birth centres at all for personal reasons.
I read so many comments from great to really bad for both, i know every experience is different anyway but still quite keen to get an idea of recent experiences shared here please!
Thanks a lot in advance,
Elodie

I gave birth in Barnet and thought the whole experience was really good. My DD was breech but they really helped me during the ECV and the C-section. The consultants and midwives were great and I'd recommend them to anyone.

Following

Hey Eloise! Sadly had a bad experience with Whittington, possibly due to COVID pressure. Had a letter with midwife appointment details and got to the hospital to be told it’s a phone call. As I was early had time to get home before the appointed time. No one called or answered my calls so left a VM. Someone called me the following week with no explanation and at that point I just lost confidence in them and referred to UCHL. Let’s hope it goes better

Sorry! Silly autocorrect... meant Eloise...

God... sorry! I’m a doofus with names tonight, apologies!

I would think about whatever hospital is closer / easiest to get to. I was at UCLH (quick and easy on the tube) but transferred as no longer comfortable getting the tube/working in central and a taxi was £££.

I'd pick one nearby. If it's a first birth there is a good chance you'll be sent home in early labour.

FWIW UCH is nice for giving birth but terrible for post-natal - huge noisy wards.

I gave birth in Barnet a couple of years ago. The antenatal care was great, couldn't fault them. However, the care during labour was absolutely terrible - refusing to check me see how far dilated I was ( by the time they checked me I was too far along to have the full dose of antibiotics I needed), to having the incorrect surgical equipment in theatre. To an extent I do believe there is an element of luck of the draw, if you have a particularly good midwife and/or consultant on duty then you'll likely have a good experience overall.

Two family members had babies in the Whittington, one nearly died but is 8 now and well and the other baby did die six months back. Both mums were 30 and 35 at the time with no previous health conditions. I would avoid.
UCLH I've known a few people give birth, all with positive stories except one whose baby had mild cerebral palsy (6 years ago) due to being starved of oxygen during a very long natural birth.
Not heard anything bad about Barnet.
One to definitely avoid is Whipps Cross.
St Mary's is good, like Barnet, but probably a bit far.
I've had 2 friends have babies in Harlow in the last 18months, again good experiences.

UCLH must be pretty good as Carrie Symonds had her baby there. I've heard good things about their maternity services too. Not heard anything about Barnet, positive or negative.

Had my dd at Barnet two and a half years ago. Can't complain about the care I received. Midwife care pre natal was shit. But I was induced on a very busy Friday, could not fault the midwife on duty, he was amazing despite being absolutely run off his feet, plus anaesthetist etc were excellent. She was tiny when she was born, we were given our own room, and the after care was fine.
My only issue about the labour was that they ran out of gas and air. Yes, you read that right. Had to wait two hours for them to get some down from a different ward.

I think it all depends on the midwife you get. I had a terrible experience with my first at uclh but a really positive experience with my second at Queen Charlottes in Hammersmith. Don't know anything about the unit at Barnet. Sorry.