London hospitals

[FingersCrossed1029]

Hi, this is my first post.

I am just over 4 weeks pregnant and called my GP who told me to self-refer to a hospital, but overwhelmed with the number of options in London!

I am the first out of my friends to have a baby so I don't have any first-hand accounts of how people have found their experience at various places (although I understand it does just depend on the circumstances at the time).

The only one I know is my manager who had his baby at UCLH and had positive things to say - but that was 8 years ago!

Would appreciate any advice.

@FingersCrossed1029 hey there, depends on where in London you are. I registered at Chelsea and Westminster for two reasons: both their locations are my closest hospitals; they have a good rating.

I'd start with your closest hospital and go from there. Read the reviews on Google and go with your gut instinct. Most NHS services are much or a muchness, although it does vary by trust. I've found all the midwives to be super lovely so far.

Hi @FingersCrossed1029, congrats! I’ve self referred to St Mary’s as in west London and it has an outstanding rating - also was recommended by my fertility consultant.
Take a look at the maternity units / hospitals that are close to you and their reviews. I’ve a couple of friends who’ve been at UCLH in the last 12 months and they’ve been happy there too.
Would recommend self referring as soon as you’re able to as I waited until my 7 week scan (ivf) then referred and now have a booking appt this week at nearly 12 weeks so it’s a couple of weeks later than it should be. Good luck!

It completely depends where you live. I had excellent care at King's.

I’m at the Whittington not sure if that is close to you, but have been very happy with the care and they are the only hospital in North London were you partner can stay the whole birth/labour and stay overnight with you and baby on the postnatal ward. Recently they even allowed two birthing partners but it’s back to one now we’re back in lockdown.

Although you’re only 4 weeks it’s something to consider, back in March I was convinced this would all be over by time my baby arrived and here we are back in another lockdown.

You can look at Covid-19 changes to care on each hospital websites, for example allowing partners to scans, appointments etc.

I was close to 3 and I based it on ease of travel and rating. Worked out so far (Queen Charlotte's) if I was at St Mary's that isn't one I can drive to which I would not have liked during COVID.

Depends where in London you are, I had the choice of St George’s and St Thomas’.

I have only positive things to say about my antenatal care so far at Homerton. It’s a 20 min drive from me but not my closest. However it has a better reputation than my closest (whipps cross) So I decided it would be worth an extra 15 mins in the car. I’d start by deciding how far you’re willing to travel as location is important and then see what hospitals are in that area. Consider things like how many birth centre rooms they have (if you want that) and their Covid rules as some are much more strict than others

It really really depends where you are. You will want to be close to the hospital. Normally there are 3ish that are usual referral options from where you are registered with a GP.

Thank you, this was all really helpful!