I am pregnant with my second and recently gave birth in Whipps cross hospital with my first in 2019...Although Whipps Cross is my local hospital, I have second thoughts on whether to return. Whipps Cross has improved, but my experience could have been better.
Experience:
My waters broke on a Wednesday night, and I was induced on Thursday, but my contractions didn't start. As a result, I was stranded and sat in the labour ward waiting for a room to be available for several days, with antibiotics injected into my hand every four hours by several nurses (incorrectly and causing bruising) while waiting for a birthing room to become available. It took approximately four days before I was given a room, and that's when I was given an epidural and hormone drip to kick-start labour. Giving birth took five stressful days, and I don't want to go through that again. I was only given a room because I refused to take any more antibiotics and had a meltdown. I was looked after by several different midwives who didn't know how long I'd been sitting there. I was told countless times to wait until the shift change to seek further help; it was...a painful experience. On day three, my daughter's heart rate started to rise and slow down dramatically, I thought I would lose her waiting for a room, and that alone was enough for me to say no to Whips.
Albeit this was several years ago, and Whips have made improvements, I have still been told to look elsewhere and to seek better care from a different maternity ward actively.
Can anyone share their thoughts on the hospital maternity wards below?
UCLH (University College Hospital)
St Thomas hospital
Homerton University Hospital