Help! Which Hospital? Whittington? Advice on independent midwives please!

[1sttimer80]

Hello there, I'm a first timer. I'm about 11 weeks along and need some advice.

I'm considering going for an independent midwife, as I'm quite a worrier so I'm thinking that a private midwife may keep me grounded, although I don't think this should be the sole reason to spend so much! Does anyone know exactly what the difference is between an NHS midwife and a private midwife and what they offer you that's different?

Also any thoughts on the maternity ward at Whittington? I'm out of the borough, but it'll work out convenient for us.
Thank you so much for your help in advance!

whittington fine, had both my daughters there, both by c/s (now aged nearly 8 and nearly 5). Had private room (shared loo with one other)which did make a difference, but you cannot guarantee this.

postnatal care there not so good, but that seems to be a problem common to lots of maternity units.

Bundle, thansk so much for your message. It does give me comfort. By 'post-natal' care, what does that mean? Is that the midwifery care you receive after the child is born or the actualy hospital care you receive once you've given birth?

have you considered a Doula? Cheaper tha imw but one to one support.

"Look herewww.doula.org.uk/"

and

"herewww.douladirectory.co.uk/"

sorry I meant care on the postnatal ward, after the birth. the doctors only pop in & out so it's mainly midwife care. I was in for 4 days with dd1, 3 with dd2. the staff are nice but there aren't enough of them.

also asked for "both" when offered veg/salad with meal - was told could only have one!

not so good????!!!!

it's like being on the front in the Crimea before Florence NIghtingale arrived

Thanks foryou rmessage Liahgen, I did consdier a doula but preferred someone who had a medical background.

suzywong thanks for your message, what was so bad?!

some doula's are ex mw's although they wouldn't be able to support in meical capaCITY.

good luck

Bundle- ok I see... hmmm... I think it's really hard to think about what's worth worrrying about and what's worth just going with the flow lol!

[soooz dont' scare the girl ]

if you are a worrier I would go for the whit (delivery suite tiptop, aftercare pretty mediocre) and a doula. After all once you are in labour you'll have access to midwives in the hosp.

1sttimer, there is a poster called MarsLady who is a doula and knows the hospitals in this area; it might be an idea to have a chat with her.

The level of attention/care you get will depend partly on how busy staff are and you can't second guess that but I had DD2 in the Whittington 9 years ago and unless, it's changed enormously, my advice is DON'T.

The Nightingale ward was pre-Crimean as per suzywong, the shower and lavatory both filthy beyond belief, I had to beg for food and finally a trolley arrived and someone shouted at me and I had to get out of bed (4 hours after delivery), walk up the ward to be given a pilchard (really!!!) sandwich... and then there were the security guards escorting the father of the baby beside me off the premises.

I gave birth at lunchtime and discharged myself that night: the German paediatrician who checked my baby over said it was unusual in Germany to allow someone leave so soon after the birth but that had he would not recommend staying in the ward!

14 months later I had DD3 in the Royal Free... busier than Whittington but hot water and a shower that worked and a lavatory that flushed

DD1 born in old Queen Charlotte's and much nicer than either

Good luck

Pofaced, I had my 2 at the Whittington more recently than you and I would say things have changed.

1sttimer, I really would suggest you speak to MarsLady as she has recent knowledge of various hospitals.

I really recommend going down the independent midwife route. Mine is fab - there are some really good ones who cover your area. Check this link out:

www.independentmidwives.org.uk

Reasons it has worked for me is the medical knowledge, ante natal appts at home, consistency of care, her ability to network with the medical staff at the local hospitals which has been crucial when we've been in tricky situations (she also helped me with an ectopic, got a doctor lined up, helped to speed things along), breast feeding support, helping to manage unruly relatives postnatally. You will also not be meddled with int he hospital re formula feeding, if that's important to you. One with good contacts in hospital is a boon.

However, some really want you to commit to a home birth. If this is not for you, the relationship might be less satsifying. You would need to meet a few and work out their attitude.

Are you by any chance in Tufnell Park? Colleague's wife was offered the Whit but declined - having heard similar types of stories as have been reported here. She had her two at home and there is apparently a great community midwife practice (NHS run) which offers the home birth scheme. She had a great experience with them. COuld find out the name if you're in the area and interested.

royal free does not have good rep for maternity care, iirc

Ok so I've put on a post asking for help from marslady, hoepfully she can help. I'm not too keen on the idea of a homebirth, especially as this si my first time. I'm living in Edgware at the moment so I guess that's quite far. HarrietTheSpy - thank you so much for the info above. it sounds like what I'm looking for. If anyoen knows any private midwives that they've used and were really good, please let me know!

Message withdrawn

Edgware birth centre sounds good, but couple of things worry me.. no paediatric ICU and that they are linked to Northwick park if there is a need fo rthe paediatric ICU. The Whittington would be sooo ideal because of it's location.

can heartily recommend Edgware if you have uncomplicated pregnancy, the staff are wonderful there.

Northwick Park has a lovely new maternity unit, all of the women I spoke to there couldn't speak highly enough of it.

Really Northwick? I've heard such horror stories coming out from there. Worth considering I guess.

(sorry tried to post and MN went funny)

Yes Northwick Park was put into special measures (outsiders running it) after 10 women died. An inquiry subsequently found that 9 out of the 10 deaths were preventable. All sorts of issues were uncovered including bad working relationships between consultants and midwives, poor equipment, language problems (all of the women were from either African or Asian backgrounds) etc.

I visited NP last year and their new maternity unit was bright and cheerful, with nothing but good reports from the handful of women we spoke to there, including one who'd literally just given birth and another who'd had a caesarean the night before.

The midwives at Edgware will look after women who have uncomplicated pregnancies - but one of them I spoke to had delivered an undiagnosed breech!

Lots of women I know speak v highly of UCH if you work in the centre of town but distance might be an issue for the actual delivery.

I my son 4 months ago at Whittington. Cannot fault antenatal care and midwives and doctors were amazing during labour - was under consultant care and baby a little early. Postnatal was pretty awful but I think baby chose a bad week to be born

Interesting how often poor post-natal care is mentioned.

have not read the whole thread, but i am not sure if anyone has pointed this out.. the indie midwife cannot deliver your baby in an NHS hospital.. she can support you and look after you antenatally, and postnatally, but not do the delivery......she can be with you for the birth, obviously.