Chelsea and Westminster - good or bad?

[completelyconfused]

Am booked in there to have my first in November. Can anyone tell me if it's any good? Was given the option of St Thomas's and St George's too, but was oddly drawn to C&W.

hi there

I had both my ds's at Chelsea and Westminster and I found the care excellent overall. I had an emergency c-section with ds1 (no-one's fault, just one of those things) and then an elective c-section with ds2. I really couldn't fault them either time. Ds1's birth was pretty traumatic but I had a fantastic midwife, great consultant on the day and felt we were communicated with respectfully and fully the whole time (not that I was taking anything in really!) We had a doula with us with ds1 and they had no problem with her either. DS2's birth was as lovely as major surgery can be! The staff were kind and sensitive and took very good care of us.

My only minor complaint if I had one would be the night-nurses being less helpfull than the midwives during the day. I was in a ward with five other women and babies which was fine overall but I found in the evening I felt a bit of a nuisance whereas during the day everyone was just so helpful. It really does depend who you get though and that will be the same in any hospital.

Overall, I'd say you've made a good choice. Its a lovely hospital, very clean and just has a shiny, new feel too it which gave me confidence and its in a great location. I wouldn't hesitate going there again (except its a little far from Melbourne!)

Good luck

I had dd1 at C&W in 2002 and also found it good. She was emergency c/s because she was breech and it all went very well. Would agree with MelbourneMum's comment about the night nurses, their grumpiness was my only negative at the time. Good luck

another thread on the same subject

I think you'll find that night staff are pretty pants!