UCLH maternity

[Lily1990]

I'm in my third trimester and considering switching to UCLH for giving birth (currently at another London hospital with not great reviews and CQC rating) and wondered whether they do a third trimester scan routinely?
Also it would be great to hear people's recent experiences too and whether you would recommend or not.
Thanks! x

I’ve had very bad and very good care at UCLH!
Not sure if that’s helpful but I had my DC there and now being cared for there with current pregnancy and have had both extremes - very negligent care and also very top quality care so can go either way!

I am pretty sure they don’t take on transfers in third trimester - but check their website as it says there what the cut off for how many weeks you have to be if you’re transferring there from another hospital.

@AnnieStar12 thank you! That’s interesting and I’m sorry for your very negligent experience there too. They accept transfers up to 33 weeks and 5 days so I still have a bit of time. Do you know if they do a third trimester scan? Thank you!

I had both mine there. Both medically complex pregnancies. I wasn't aware that any non complex mums had anything more than the 12 and 20 week scans, but could be wrong. (I unfortunately was scanned a couple of times a week which was extremely stressful. )
I'm sure if there's a reason they will absolutley scan you straight away as they are very good like that, if it's just for reassurance though, probably not. It's there a specific reason you want an extra scan?

Thank you for sharing your experience @LipstickedPowderedAndPainted. Appreciate being scanned twice a week must have been very stressful. I’m classed as high risk due to previous recurrent miscarriages and know that a third trimester scan can reduce risk of negative birth outcomes etc. King’s (where I’m based now) do a routine third trimester scan which I find reassuring. But UCLH is rated as much better than kings so wondering about changing.

I don’t think they do third trimester scans as routine. I did have extra scans but that was due to complications resulting from their mistakes (long story!) meaning I was looked after by the fetal specialist team.

I have heard lots of good things about Kings, so although the rating is better at UCLH, I don’t think that will necessarily mean much better care as a lot comes down to who you get on the day and how the birth goes etc. I’ve actually had three babies in three different London hospitals now! And they all have good and not-so-good staff. I’d also weigh up how far the hospital is from where you live and how you feel about travelling to central London while in labour. That’s definitely one of the downsides of UCLH, I was quite worried about going into labour during rush hour and being stuck in traffic!

But at the end of the day, do what’s best for you and go wherever you feel safest x

Thank you @AnnieStar12 it’s really reassuring to hear that you’ve heard lots of good things about King’s. And also helpful to know your experience of giving birth at 3 different London hospitals! Interesting they all have good and bad staff so it’s kind of luck of the draw.
Totally agree about the travel to UCLH, I was considering it more for elective c section (which I’ve been recommended) but I’m hesitant to make the move without having discussed with the obstetricians and midwives there. I think I will stick with Kings as I had an appointment today with the consultant and she helped put my mind at ease.
Wish you all the best with your current pregnancy x