Has anyone had a baby at St Helier recently?

[Kailee]

The south London hospital, not the island

I found a thread from 2016/17 which didn't have the best reviews. I'm wondering if things have moved on or improved in the past few years as I'm facing having my first baby there and I am extremely anxious about it.

I used to live in west London but a few years ago we moved to the area because house prices were affordable. Scans have been fine and I'm wondering if this was only because my DP was with me. He has not been with me to maternity. We are within 20 minutes walk from the hospital which makes it very convenient.

My experiences with maternity have been patchy. I feel a sense of doom and dread about the place, sorry to sound dramatic; they are disorganised, communicatte poorly (e.g. cancel appointments and not tell me) and outright lie on my notes about what I was "advised" about. I've been kept waiting for appointments for 30-60 minutes on multiple occasions.

I have an additional medical condition that no one seems to be aware of or take into consideration or know what to do about or how it could affect birth. It's on my notes and everyone seems caught by surprise when it is raised.

I've also been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and was told on a Facebook group that I should be seeing a consultant, but I have not been told this at all. My midwife is on holiday for 3 weeks and an appointment has been cancelled and not re-booked with someone else.

Again, I don't know if this is common or normal across all hospitals, like I said it's my first baby.

All these experiences are compounding a lack of trust I feel in the place. I am getting so anxious as I progress through the third trimester and I am wondering if I would be better off requesting a cesarean section.

Hopeful bump!

Hi @Kailee congratulations! I haven't had a baby there myself so not much help but my friend had her little one there in 2021 and had a positive experience! She is pregnant again, due in the summer and no problems so far so hopefully that eases your mind.

Good luck with everything!

I would not recommend this Hospital. I have been through IVF there recently and they are utterly incompetent. They made me loose all the little trust I had in the NHS. If I manage to get pregnant I will definitely choose another hospital to give birth. Honestly you don't want to be through what I have been through.

I had my son there during lockdown in 2020. Communication could have been better but the staff were lovely and caring. I had to be in for one a week. I'm pregnant now and having my baby there again. They seemed to have improved how they run things since I had my son too. It doesn't sound great for you with all the cancellations though. I had miscarriage surgery at St George's in Tooting and they were very good. The size of the hospital and distance put me off though.

I did some research on St Helier as I needed to choose between here and St George’s. The overwhelming majority said to choose St George’s, but I did see positive stories about St Helier too. I’m really sorry that you’ve not been cared for properly, sounds horrid. I’m having my first baby too so am not sure if this is possible, but could you request to change hospitals under the reason that St Helier gives you anxiety/you don’t feel you’re being looked after appropriately? Surely if you kick up a fuss something could be done? I went there recently for something unrelated and it wasn’t a nice place to be X

@blahblahblah1654 is St George’s bigger or smaller? (Haven’t had my first appointment yet!)

Ps so sorry, just realised that you posted this over a month ago. I hope things improved for you x

@sashastuck St George's is a lot bigger. It's one of the biggest teaching hospitals in Europe. I would have probably gone there if it was closer but St Helier is walking distance for me! I'm not far from St George's really but it's a PITA to drive and park there.

@blahblahblah1654 Thank you! I’m about a 15-20 minute drive away so fingers crossed when the time comes I’m in labour at a traffic-free time 😂

I live 10mins from st Helier by car but work in St George’s maternity. All hospitals have good and bad, experiences will always be mixed. I have my babies at SGH, I’m biased as I worked there but wouldn’t go anywhere else and if this pregnancy continues I’ll be booking here again. For me having all specialities on site, on site blood bank, level 3 NNU, as examples are important for me.

if you’re not happy there OP, you can easily transfer care. Complete an online self referral form. If you went to SGH however I can’t say your appt wait will be any less!!!

if you don’t mind me asking, what’s your medical problem that is worrying you?

I had my baby at St Helier in 2020 and I couldn’t fault them, especially as it was just before lockdown during all the mayhem. I also had gestational diabetes and thought the team excellent- definitely chase them up. I had a complicated birth and they saved my baby’s life so obviously I am hugely grateful and happy with my care. However I am now at East Surrey and the level of care and attention, organisation etc is absolutely outstanding, so it might be worth exploring another hospital near you if things don’t improve.

I had my baby last week and the long and short of it is that my experience on the ward vs antenatal care was like night and day.

I went in for an induction and ended up in an emergency CS with a little stay after because baby was a bit poorly and breastfeeding has been an actual nightmare.

Everyone was very supportive and I felt really well taken care of. The facilities are not modern but it didn't really make a difference.

Thank you everyone for your replies.

St Helier's maternity section is incredible. I've had one baby there two years ago and I'm half way through a pregnancy. I've had way more care and appointments than the other surrounding council boroughs. The team are so lovely. I can't fault them. Xx

Oh sorry just seen you've had baby - congrats! X