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!

True Lulu re the delivery, which is worth bearing in mind. The value a good one brings in a hospital context is the networking ability - if they are unhappy with a situation from a medical point of view they can speak up about stuff - and diplomatic skills. Mine had like 25 years experience in the NHS before coming over and her manner does not put people's backs up. I know this would NOT be the case if I were left to my own devices and DH would probably go "Thank you very much" even with stuff I wasn't happy with out of fear of being rude or something! It's less stressful to have someone negotiate for you. And it's great when people rate the person's medical views, which they do with Mal.

i think mary cronk has arrangement with her local hospital that she can give medical assistance to her clients if they need help during a homebirth and get transferred. however this is not the norm

Has anyone got any recommendations for Independent midwives that they've used and that they know are well linekd tot he Whittington?

Thanks for all your comments guys, I really really appreciate it!

some more comments here from recent graduates of the Whittington

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/4123/458791

Feel free to ask more specific questions. For what it's worth the consensus seems to be that the midwives are great with the exception of the ones on the post-natal wards who are miserable and overworked. I wouldn't have bothered with an independent midwife myself- would save the cash for help in the first two or three weeks!!

ps. please don't be terrified by po-faced's experiences of nine years ago, but if you have specific questions there are loads of us on mumsnet who have been there in the last three or four months or so. I am not saying it is all perfect now but you'll get a more balanced picture. No pilchards in sight!

ist timer
Did you type your postcode into that site?

Try Elke:
www.londonbirthpractice.co.uk/

Yep I had a look at the ones before and there's a few I like the sound of. I really would want a hospital birth so I 'm not sure whether Elke would suit me as I get the impression they prefer home births. I'll see how I go after my scan which is on Tuesday and get a few appointments booked in. Any personal recommendations would be of great help as well!

for what its worth the memories you take home will be all about your new baby, how he/she arrived etc.
you could find out if the hospital has a day you can go and see for yourself? Afterall one persons idea of nice can be very different to anothers.