East Kent- Which Birth Centre?

[AnnieB34]

Hi,
Im due my second baby in April, and recently moved to East Kent.
My first child was born in a lovely birth centre at a London hospital, however now I have to choose one in East Kent.
Does anyone have any advice on choosing the birth centres at either Ashford (Singleton) or Margate (St Peter’s)? Is one better than the other in some way?
I'm really concerned at giving birth here given how awful the maternity services have been in recent years!
I live almost exactly half way between them in travel time.
Thanks!

Hi, I haven’t given birth yet (I’m down for Ashford) but just to say I think you have the option of switching to Medway Trust if you want to — I’ve heard really good things.

Thanks! I hope everything goes well for you :)
I had a really quick labour with my first so not sure I can go further away. We were 13 mins from the hospital then and I was fully dilated when we arrived 😂 Useful to know that about Medway though, it might be ok if I went as soon as labour started instead of when I’m at 3 contractions in 10 mins like I was told to before.

How was your experience at ashford? I need to choose and can't decide! Thanks x

I was high risk so couldn’t give birth in the MLU but gave birth at QEQM and had a really positive experience.
Two of my friends have been part of the previous failings at the hospital and have had an active role in inquiries and attempts to improve the service. One has returned to have another birth at the hospital.
I’ve also got friends who work within the department who speak confidently of the changes within the hospital.
I would advise reaching out to your midwife to ask for a discussion around your concerns. I did with my first and was brutally honest about my worries. I too was looking at transferring to Medway but had had really thorough community care and would have lost this transferring and having to set up again. I felt this conversation really helped.
I am now pregnant again and have already planned to give birth at QEQM.
Here if you want to sound off any ideas x

Only other thing to add is that from looking at the stats, they don’t seem to have many births on the MLU in either hospital. I don’t know if this is just due to risks/staffing/availability/complications. I would raise what the likelihood is and check out their Labour wards and facilities as a back up x