Here is my 2pence worth.
Unfortunately, I have only ever had negative experiences at St Thomas hospital. It tends to be too busy and understaffed. God forbid you are in an emergency at the weekend or on a bank holiday. I don’t really know where to begin with St Thomas.
From booking appt, follow up appointment never made.
No one to get hold of to find out what to do.
Had stillbirth.
Promised any pain relief as baby had passed, so no need for precaution. Anaesthetist not available to administer as too busy.
Midwife busy dealing with other patients.
After delivery, no resources to shower (bear in mind I didn’t arrive at the hospital knowing the baby was dead so was not prepared for a hospital stay).
Had to wait for a friend to bring toiletries, sanitary protection and underwear in the morning.
Bereavement midwife not available as it was a Sunday leading to a bank holiday Monday.
No discharge notes given (didn’t know I should have this).
Record not passed on to community midwives to deal with aftercare.
Going on mumsnet to ask for help and support I found out from the kind forum members I was supposed to be seen by community midwives, even if I didn’t have a baby. It was two weeks after that I called the hospital and asked. I was apologised to for not having been seen.
Ended up with an infection.
Funeral documents completed on my behalf and someone put down, without asking me, that I did not want my babies ashes. Found out years later.
Got pregnant after this and was provided with consultant care. First appointment I waited about 2 hours to be seen for 2 minutes and told that they would have to pull up my records and I would have to come back for another appointment. What a waste of my time. They didn’t need to pull my records to make some sort of initial plan by asking me what happened. I burst into tears and went straight to the PALS reception explaining what happened. Luckily, it was taken seriously and the head midwife made sure I was taken care of properly at the next appointment. She was waiting for me at reception.
The good part ends there. I was given an induction. First time I had a male midwife who was absolutely lovely and explained everything to me. Unfortunately, he ended his shift and transferred care to someone I don’t think wanted their job anymore. She was injecting things into me without telling me what it was or asking about my allergies. It was my sister who was making a fuss for me. She was not being attentive at all with what was going on or monitoring me. I asked her to check (I had an epidural so was not getting the full sensations), which seemed like I was bothering her. When she checked the babies head was coming out with the cord wrapped round her neck and my sister had to press the emergency button. My baby had to be given oxygen to help her.
More recently, my sister was scanned at St Thomas and they noticed an abnormality (major hole in her sac) which meant she would have to have an abortion. They could not provide this service at the hospital due to Covid they said and told her she would have to arrange by herself through Marie Stopes. She was never provided with the report, promised to her on the same day, which she needed to provide Marie Stopes. They did not answer any of their contact numbers. It was Marie Stopes which had to chase up in the end.
Kings all the way. More attentive staff. I admit the postnatal ward is a bit of a nightmare because you end up with loads of other people on the ward and all you want to do is rest and get some peace and quiet. Some visitors can be extremely inconsiderate. I had a mother on her phone on loud speaker past midnight. I called the nurse to deal with it, which she did promptly. But this can be your experience anywhere.
The only thing I will say is that if you are not high risk, they might be reluctant to admit you if you are not in established labour. Which I couldn’t imagine having to deal with because I know from experience that there is a point in labour where I am not moving and can’t be moved because it is too painful.
Consultants are nice and friendly.
Midwives were friendly.
Unfortunately, suffered 2nd stillbirth but care during and after was second to none.
This is how I found out about the ashes scenario at St Thomas’, because the bereavement midwife went through the form with me.
Wherever you decide to go, if you are not happy contact PALS to liaise with the relevant department and issues will be rectified.
On a more practical note, think about travel time, parking facilities, congestion charge, closeness of family and friends if you need them to come and help you to drop things off and taking baby home. You also want a hospital that has the facilities to deal with emergencies and a good EPU that has proper opening times. I’m not sure how not all run on the weekend, as if pregnancy issues only occur on a week day between 9-4:30pm. I know you can contact labour ward or A&E but check this as some do differ.
I don’t know anything about the other hospitals mentioned.