Choosing a hospital? West London (if it matters)

[RandomCatGenerator]

Hello

I have had positive pregnancy tests and my GP has told me to self refer to the hospital of my choice for ante natal care.

This would be my second child but as my first was born when I was living overseas, I haven’t navigated the NHS before for ante natal care and birth.

May I ask please how you chose - or how you were advised or would advise others to choose - the hospital?

If it makes a difference, I am in west London and am very very keen to have a Caesarian, having had an elective Caesarian for my first child.

thanks

I had an appalling experience at Chelsea and Westminster, although quite a few years ago now. DD had to be re admitted 24hrs after being discharged from post natal ward and into high dependency who couldn't have been lovelier (and pleaded with us to complain about the maternity unit!!!!)

Choice between two of roughly same facilities and reputation. I chose based on ease of parking.

Oh dear, that’s one of my two nearest hospitals…

With my first, I was slap bang in the middle of two hospitals, both approx 30mins away.

What swayed it for me was easier parking at one but mostly (more importantly) as they also had more birthing pools than the other and this was what I wanted (and got).

It seems to me that people have good and bad experiences at every hospital.
Quality of care can depend on changing circumstances at any time.
I chose my nearest one (not for anything pregnancy-related) because it's easiest to get to on the bus!

To be fair I had 2 very good experiences at Chelsea and Westminster but was also a few years ago. They have been very good when we've been to A & E since then as well.

I had a bad experience at St Mary’s. I’m at Queen Charlotte’s this time. It’s been mixed so far, but nothing so bad that I was looking elsewhere.

However, I am now worried about what will happen when I go into labour. The maternity triage at Queen Charlotte’s is packed, with women sat on chairs in the corridor for hours waiting for a free bed and pain relief.

I’m left wondering whether another hospital would be better.

@DaisyDoDaisyDont Jesus. That sounds horrifying.

Worked at ChelWest and Queen Charlotte's but opted for the latter as I was working in the hospital. QC serves a different population to Chelsea and in general the patients have more complications (IMO) so their triage is usually very busy. I ended up delivering at Mary's as I had an IOL and they couldn't offer me a bed at QC. My experience at Mary's on the labour ward was amazing but post natal was terrible with only one working toilet/shower for 20 women which constantly had blood everywhere because it seems people cant clean up their mess. My best friend delivered at Chelsea 2 months ago and had a great experience.

I had two excellent experiences at Queen Mary's, plus, if it's good enough for the heir to the throne..... (though obviously that happens in the Lindo wing, and I gave birth in the main hospital.)
More seriously though, it was in the same parking zone as our flat (then) and equal distance between work and home, so it was super convenient.

Had DD1 six years ago nearly to the day at QC. I wouldn’t let my dog deliver puppies there. I still wake up thinking about what happened.

DS2 born at a different hospital via ELCS (recommended due to physical issues from first delivery) and it was a wholly different experience.

I thought QC was supposed to be so fancy - eye opening to hear horrifying experiences here.

I’ve opted for West Middlesex. It’s the easier to get to from me although I’m equidistant between if and Chelsea and Westminster. First appt next week so we’ll see then.

If you Google the name of the hospital and CQC rating it will give you a breakdown of different areas within that service. Either way if you're not happy you can transfer your care somewhere else. Good luck!

I'm 24weeks and currently in Canary Wharf and down to have the birth at the Royal London - which I'm a little nervous about. I've heard a fair few unhappy stories from local mums.. that said, so far, I've only experienced good things from the hospital and feel very well informed via my midwife and NCT classes.

But we're in the process of moving to West London to be nearer to my parents and I've been very highly recommended Queen Charlotte. I am a little confused about when to shift my care over and also where to. Similarly stuck between Queen Charlotte and St Mary - I might opt for a private room which I know both offer but beyond that I was under the impression that both were good. I shall watch this thread to learn of your experiences too xx

@BeingHappy we had a ‘private room’, as in it was a private side room rather than privately paid, if that’s what you mean?

if you mean a private side room then it’s on a first come basis and there’s a minor cost (think about £100) but owing to the care we got, we got to the top of the list and was free. Definitely worth doing as I’ve heard the post wars at QC is bad.

I meant the privately paid one but only because I didn't know the paid first come first serve one existed! Either way, I'd like to secure a private room 🤞 pleased to hear you were happy with the care you received too! ☺️

I had two planned caesareans at Queen Charlotte's (NHS for antenatal, private from delivery onwards) and it was great. But it was a few years ago so may have changed.

I had such an awful experience at St Mary’s that I had an elective C section at Queen Charlotte’s for DC2. No where is perfect but the staff at QC were amazing.

I had my baby at West Middlesex hospital in Isleworth in October, staff are lovely and it's clean x

I had a brilliant experience at Chelsea Westminster in 2020 and due to give birth there again next month.

I gave birth at Chelsea Westminster and had a good experience. I started off at the birthing pool and ended up in the maternity ward when I requested an epidural. It was quick and efficient. This was 3 years ago so not sure what it's like right now but my overall experience and care has been good after the horror stories I heard from some friends.

After the horror stories I've heard from friends who gave birth at different hospitals not from chelsea Westminster

Good to hear!