St Helier/Epsom/Croydon - Which Hospital to Register with!?

[ftmnta]

Hi everyone,

I need all your help and advice please. I'm currently pregnant with my first baby and we have just moved homes so I have no idea about the area. I need to register at a hospital but I don't know anything about what to look for and which hospital is better for maternity services.

The closest hospitals to me are St Helier, Epsom and Croydon.

If anyone has any experience or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you :)

Hi - I’m also in the local area but only 5 weeks pregnant with my first so can’t help too much but I’ve registered with Croydon university as I think it looked quite well rated, it’s apparently got a good nicu as well. I’ve a couple of friends and family who have had babies there and they all seem happy!

Im in this general area and had a choice between St Helier and St Georges. I made my decision based on CQC ratings, NICU status and ease of getting to appointments via public transport (st Helier is our closest but the public transport is awkward to get there).

I chose St Georges in Tooting. And was very glad i did too - DD needed two weeks in NICU and even though the wards at Georges are quite run down, she had amazing care from the doctors there and i was very well looked after by the midwives during my pregnancy.

Also worth asking on your local facebook group (especially if they give the option to ask anonymous questions!)

Amazing thanks I'm 6 weeks at the moment so been told I need to hurry up and register! Will check out Croydon. Thank you!

Thank you that's really helpful. Didn't think of it that way. Hope DD is doing well. I think St George's sadly is too far for me as I've heard other people say it's good too.

Hey there,

In my first pregnancy I was at St Helier and I really do not rate them. We had a difficult start to the pregnancy which was not handled well at all by the initial sonographer.

We only use St George’s now (for other very specific reasons) but out of your choices I would probably choose Croydon. It’s changed a lot in the last few years and I’ve heard good things from friends.

Best of luck with your pregnancy! I’m 11 weeks and have booked at St George’s again.

Avoid St Helier it's really bad for births there. Ive had 3 bad labours in there.

I was originally at Epsom as I was under their consultant. I actually changed to St Helier because I wasn't happy with the midwife care at Epsom. It was very easy to change because they are the same trust so the notes didn't need to be transferred. I had a very different experience to the pp, my care was excellent. I was high risk and consultant led. They are a much bigger hospital than Epsom so if you are in need of specialist care I would really recommend them.

I gave birth at st Helier in sept 2020 and it was great. Staff were fab, hospital clean. I felt safe. Great experience.

I have booked in to have my second baby here summer 2023.

I think you will hear good and bad experiences from every hospital. Personally st Helier is very close to me and does a great job so I see no reason to move.

Hi there, just curious to know what you finally chose?

I am currently 5 weeks pregnant and have no idea where to go as I heard some bad reviews of Croydon University Hospital. Any help would be appreciated!

Hi I’ve recently found out I’m pregnant! I live in Horsham and I’m wondering where to register. I’ve heard bad things about East Surrey so not considering there. I think the only other option is Epsom? Has anyone got thoughts on Epsom or anywhere else? Thanks in advance!

@Me218 I’m surprised you’re not considering East Surrey. Their maternity services are rated outstanding. I recently gave birth there and the care was excellent. I didn’t have a good experience at Epsom and transferred to St Helier who were much better, but the best care I got was at East Surrey with my second baby. Congratulations!

Hi @Mistymeow , how did you get to use East Surrey? I tried registering there yesterday but was rejected because we're not in their catchment area, although we're much closer to it than Epsom. I'm now between St Helier and Croydon and can't choose - any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks all.

@BTN55 I live 10 mins away from East Surrey but I do know someone who lives in Horsham and is having her baby there. Perhaps you could call your GP and see if they will refer you if you are outside the catchment. I have no experience of Croydon hospital but I was very happy with St Helier. It’s just at East Surrey I had consultant care plus the same midwife throughout, all my appointments on time etc, was very organised and reassuring.

Hi @ftmnta , what did you decide in the end? I'm in exactly the same position as you - I had my first at St. Georges, and it was great... but its far and the after care was horrendous. Croydon UH is very close, but I've heard bad stories from a long time ago. The latest gov reports have said CUH is good and St. Georges is inadequate, however, and that's whats making me think I should go with CUH - keen to here what your experience has been and where you went in the end?

Hi Everyone

I went with Croydon in the end. I ended up with an unexpected high risk pregnancy and I can’t fault the care I got. We had a lot of follow ups and the delivery was smooth. I would most likely pick Croydon again if we have any more children. Although having spoken to more locals now they are also recommending East Surrey. Our only issue was with the midwife aftercare they are very understaffed so we had to go see them in clinic rather than on visit which was a big challenge a few days after giving birth.