Best antenatal care: Whittington vs St Mary's?

[kelinha]

Hi all.

I'm 20 weeks pregnant with my second baby. I had my first baby at UCLH and I really liked the antenatal care they provided, as I was constantly in touch with my named midwife, with face-to-face appointments, I had her contact in case of emergency etc. The labour experience at the hospital was also positive.

For that reason, I didn't think twice before choosing UCLH for my second pregnancy too, but this time things are very different. I haven't met my midwife yet, she only called once when I was around 16wk pregnant, and that was it. My first face-to-face appointment with her is in mid-September when I'm 25 weeks pregnant!

I have no appointments to check or UTIs, to measure the belly, nothing. On top of that, I don't even have my midwife contact. I've been waiting for a week to be contacted to rearrange my Anomaly scan and so far nothing - and I can't even ask my midwife to help me sort this out, as I don't have her contact - all I know is her first name. Terrible antenatal care this time around. I'm very disappointed.

For that reason, I'm going to ask my GP to refer me to a different hospital, and I'm trying to decide between Whittington Hospital and St Mary's Hospital. However, I'd like to see if anyone having antenatal care there can give me their honest review?

I would really appreciate! Thanks!

I am at Barnet and have had a similar experience. I'm 17 weeks and have my first face-to-face midwife appointment tomorrow and this is only because they have just resumed in-person appointments. I do have a named midwife but I haven't spoken to her yet (just some admin person at booking 2 months ago). I think that's fairly standard these days...unless the Whittington is different (it does vary by Trust). Personally, I'm quite happy not to be poked and prodded around too much ;)

I would call them to arrnage the anomoly scan though (I had to do this too and they did, eventually).

I’m at St Mary’s. I’m currently 32 weeks pregnant and happy so far with my antenatal care. I saw the same midwife for my booking appointment (in person) and for the 16-week appointment (by phone). She gave me her mobile number and one time I had to contact her about something in between appointments she was very responsive and helpful. The midwives work in pairs so I then saw the second midwife for my third appointment at 25 weeks and was due to also see her at 28 weeks but she was off sick and so I saw someone covering for her. All three that I’ve met so far have seemed really good, and all the appointments bar the phone one have been a decent length with time to ask questions and discuss things. I also feel they’ve been very thorough at referring me on for various checks and things so far, and again the staff I’ve met at those appointments have been great. So still some time to go and I haven’t experienced giving birth there yet, but I’m positive about my experience so far.

Also St Mary’s maternity care is rated as Outstanding by the Quality Care Commission: www.cqc.org.uk/location/RYJ01/inspection-summary#npimaternity

I’m at the Whittington. Haven’t had the baby yet and am a FTM so nothing to compare it to but have been very happy with care so far. Booking form filling done by phone but all bloods taken next day. Partner came to both scans. Mat triage great (turns out it was the worst heartburn…silly me). I love my community midwife, she’s been very responsive, caring and helpful. I’ve seen the same community midwife the whole way through - I’m 31 weeks now and we have all my appointments booked in until due date. Every time I see her she checks my urine, bp etc and we have a good chat. She’s measured my belly the past couple of times.

Like I say, nothing to compare it to but I have to say I have been relieved to have such decent care when so many others tell me they’re not getting the support they need.

Wanted to add: I only chose the Whittington because it’s the most convenient to get to! But happy none the less.

@kelinha

I’m at St Mary’s in Paddington and after changing my midwife team, I’m now actually happy with the care I’m receiving.

I’ve got high resistance in my placenta so have to do extra growth scans but I’m currently self isolating so actually haven’t been able to attend the scan this week but they’ve already booked in for 10 days time literally after my isolation ends.

I’ve had the midwife call to check how I’m feeling and not to worry as right now I don’t have any symptoms that are typical covid ones, just congestion and a bit chesty but she’s not worried and I’ve had one jab of the vaccine too.

A word of warning, all appointments will be face to face and they’re very thorough, they’ll literally point out everything and be really careful and have no hesitation getting you booked in for extra monitoring. This can sometimes make you feel anxious but they’re genuinely only doing this for yours and the baby’s well being.

Thank you all! That was very helpful! 😊

Also at the Whittington and FTM. You do get less attention and less appointments as a second time mum I believe. My midwife is really great, we book each appointment as we go though which is totally fine but could explain why you don’t have any booked? Also have been seen by the FMU here and they’re really great. They also offer maternity acupuncture at the Whittington. Would recommend.

Second pregnancies are very different to first pregnancies. You are pretty much left to get on with matters unless there are particular issues or risk factors. It’s very much a you’ve done it once you know what you’re doing. I doubt you’ll find St Mary’s or the Whittington any different, sorry. Both my pregnancies were at the Whittington.

@kelinha
I'm surprised by your post. I'm with UCLH too and my experience is similar to your first experience. I was assigned a named midwife and I've seen only her since my booking appointment (around 8-10 weeks). I have her phone number so I've been able to contact her when I needed to. My 16 week appointment was on the phone though because of COVID but I've been seeing her in person again since the 25 week appointment (not seeing her between 8 and 25 weeks felt very long though). At every appointment she tests my blood and urine and checks my blood pressure. I've also gone for my dating and anomaly scans. So pretty much the usual process here. If you like UCLH but not this specific midwife, I'd say call the general midwives number and explain your situation, they can assign somebody else...

@kelinha
Forgot to mention, but at 20 weeks you should only have seen her twice: at the booking appointment and at the 16 week appointment. The next appointment is at 25 weeks if first pregnancy, otherwise 28 weeks. And you should have had your 2 scans booked in for you. Also, if for some reason your appointment was on the phone, you should have done your urine and BP checks at the same time as your scan (I did those when I went for my 20 scan). Finally, they only start measuring the bump and listening to baby's heart with the Doppler from 25/28 weeks.

www.uclh.nhs.uk/our-services/find-service/womens-health-1/maternity-services/contact

One other thing - at the Whittington I never saw the same midwife twice.

Also, measuring of belly, I thought that was only done after 28 weeks? I’m a FTM to be so maybe I’ve got it wrong but as I do extra growth scans the belly measurements really are not that important as the scan gives a better indication but my maternity notes mention growth charting begins from 28 weeks alongside my continued scans.

My DSis had her 1st at the Whittington and although the antenatal care was excellent, the actual birth/postnatal were terrible. The wards are tiny and terribly old fashioned, they were very short staffed, and worst of all they didn't pick up a problem she had, which had quite serious repercussions.

For her second she was at UCLH and was extremely pleased, just like with your first experience. They picked up on her problem immediately and were shocked that Whittington never had. I do believe maternity hospitals across the NHS are much of a muchness TBH. I've had 3 at the Homerton and been really happy there. I guess it is somewhat luck of the draw.

Best of luck wherever you decide to go!

Hi, wanted to follow up in case you’re still deciding as the midwife showed me photos of the MLU at St Mary’s today and it looks great! The rooms themselves are lovely and - even better - you don’t go to the postnatal ward if you need to stay for a while after the birth. Instead you stay in a private room with a double bed. So your partner can stay with you! Attached is a picture - the postnatal room is the top left. She said they’re nicer than the rooms in the Lindo Wing, which is the private bit! Actually feel quite excited now as the rooms have definitely exceeded my expectations!

@CentralLondonPregnant omg yay I’m due to give birth at St Mary’s in about 12 weeks - in the MLU are epidurals allowed or do I have to go to the ward?

@ComebackQueen Good question. I’m not sure, but I think generally you have to go to the ward for an epidural? I’ll definitely ask about this at my next appointment in two weeks and can report back!

One other thing to note - I asked about induction (as I really want to avoid having one unless medically necessary), and she said that if everything is progressing well then they don’t normally look at induction until you get to 41+5. I was really happy to hear this as I know in some trusts you get pressure to be induced from 40 weeks even if there’s no obvious reason for one.

@CentralLondonPregnant if you could ask that would be so helpful, thank you.

My hunch is epidural is on ward so might rule me out of birthing unit due to a medical condition I’ll most likely need an early epidural if i back out off my c section!

Good to hear they’re not one for pushing for inductions, unless medically necessary I don’t see why some hospital trusts insist on these!