Hertfordshire Maternity Hospitals

[HB28]

Hi everyone,

Found out I was pregnant recently, due in January 2025 and need to self refer to a local hospital, but having trouble deciding where! Lister (Stevenage), Princess Alexander (Harlow) and QE2 (Welwyn) are probably my closest, but the CQC rating for all of them is 'requires improvement'. Do any recent Hertfordshire mothers have any experience or advice to share.

Thanks x

QE2 isn’t a maternity hospital though they provide some antenatal services.
I didn’t think Lister was very good when I had my son but that was 5 years ago now. The staff seemed like they didn’t want to be there- particularly one fairly horrendous doctor.

Yes it wasn't clear if QE2 was, it looked like maybe it used to but doesn't anymore?

My sister had all 3 of her babies at lister and she said she couldn't fault them. I was with her when she gave birth to her last two 2022 and 3 weeks ago and the midwives and nurses were lovely

Addenbrookes was great when i had my ELCS, if you can get that far?

I’m having my maternity care at the Lister. It could definitely do with sprucing up, but so far the staff have all been great. I’m only 24 weeks though and it’s my first, so no experience of giving birth there!

My sister is a midwife at Lister so if you’re lucky and you get her you’ll have the best midwife in the world!

I had 4 babies at Princess Alexandra and couldn't fault them (last baby was 3 years ago). I know that the actual hospital requires improvement but unless things have changed, the maternity was OK. Emma Willis filmed there so can't be that bad! Haha!

Hey OP. I’m from Welwyn Garden City but live in Stevenage. Currently 32+4 weeks pregnant. I have my appointments / scans etc split across both of these hospitals. I have a scan every 2 weeks, CTGs twice a week and GD appointment every 2 weeks, my pregnancy is high risk. I have not had one single issue with either hospital. The staff at both have been absolutely amazing so far. I’ll be giving birth in Lister and from what I’ve seen (I’ve been admired overnight since been pregnant), they have been absolutely amazing.

Admitted!!! Only wish I was admired 🤣

Thanks everyone, some really useful replies. Feels like an important decision at a time when I feel like my brain has gone into overdrive so much appreciated.