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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Queen Charlotte waiting times... a moan

10 replies

vickyy · 30/01/2008 13:52

Just been for my 30 week blood test at Queen Charlotte's in Hammersmith. I was waiting for an hour! Only about 6 people in front of me, but there was only one woman doing the tests and she was incredibly slow.

I've also spent ages hanging around every time I've had an antenatal appt. I've heard great things about the hospital, but each time I've been it has seemed really overstretched. Which makes me worry about what it will be like when it comes to the birth...

Or maybe all NHS hospitals are like that?

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PeatBog · 30/01/2008 13:55

Have had 3 there, and there was always a wait for the routine stuff. But for the birth itself they've been great each time. Have you had a look round the birth centre. Worth not having an epidural for the ensuite bathroom alone.

fifili · 30/01/2008 16:48

We always take a good book when we go to hospital for our antenatal appointments (Hillingdon).

It also takes about 40 mins to get into the car park!

Original poster

vickyy · 30/01/2008 20:51

Oh well, not just QC then. Next time I will take a bigger wodge of change for the parking meter.

Good news on the birth though... I am planning to at least start in the natural birthing centre, even if I cave in partway through and ask for an epidural!

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PeatBog · 31/01/2008 09:41

god yes, the parking was expensive -- but just go up to the car park for the Scrubs (!) A bit cheaper.

I started with dd1 in the birth centre, then was moved down to the normal birthing suites as she was a bit sloooow for them But to be fair, they were very good at both ends. The worst bit was sitting in a wheelchair in the lift between the two floors with a poor woman about 20 weeks looking at me in complete horror.

HolidaysQueen · 31/01/2008 17:13

Hi vickyy -

I am 32+0 and at QC so we may even meet in the birth centre When are you doing your tour (I'm there on Valentines Day for that!)?

I had to wait ages for my 30 week blood test even though there was nobody in the queue before me! One lady, on her tea break at first, then talking to somebody for ages, and then really slow once I went in.

I've found the waits in the antenatal clinic really bad but I've heard that that is normal (so i'm not worrying that they have particularly low staffing levels at the moment or anything) and I've also heard that it is much more organised in the birth centre/labour ward which is I guess what really counts!

Anyone know if you get a special parking permit for when you're in labour? I don't fancy sending DH out to top up the meter when I'm in labour, nor do I dare think about how much it might cost (it's expensive enough for one hour, let alone a whole labour!)

HQ xx

beansprout · 31/01/2008 17:16

I had ds2 there last week and found the same with waiting times for appointments. Dh actually had to leave the 20w scan early as he had to be at a work meeting that afternoon! Parking is a PITA too. That said, it was the same at St Mary's so I guess QC is not unique!!

PeatBog · 31/01/2008 17:26

Holidaysqueen -- sorry, don't think they do special permits! we took the precaution of going into labour at 3am.

seriously, collect lots of change and be prepared for dh to have to go and feed meter. but really you should be able to pay for whole day and then not worry (up in the scrubs one, this is, not the small one to the right, which is much more exp.)

Original poster

vickyy · 01/02/2008 22:12

I've got antenatal classes there on the 7th and 14th... so may see you there!

We'll be getting a taxi to the hospital for the birth as dh doesn't drive... so no worries about parking, but I am quite worried about what the taxi driver will think!

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HolidaysQueen · 02/02/2008 11:25

vickyy - everyone keeps telling me that if we're getting a taxi to make sure in advance that they are happy with taking someone in labour cos apparently lots of cab firms refuse! that was part of the reason we were going to drive, but maybe ringing round cab firms beforehand is actually less stressful than having my DH worrying about the car getting clamped while i'm in labour...

omy · 02/02/2008 21:05

I have waited 1 1/2 hours for each appointment at QH which was boring, however it was the rudeness of the midwives and lack of any feeling of being cared for that left me practically in tears twice. The ladies who did the scans were very nice but if I got the midwives I had for those miserable appointments when I was actually in labour I think i would go home and do it alone!

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