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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Chelsea and Westminster hospital

2 replies

Augustbaby · 14/12/2009 20:42

Hi!
New to mumsnet.
I have just found out I'm pregnant and wondered if anyone has given birth recently at this hospital.
I have heard a lot of positives about the ante-natal care and birthing experience but also a lot of negative experiences in regards to post-natal care.
I would love to hear your experiences to help me decide.
Many thanks.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
VerityClinch · 15/12/2009 21:50

Hi there, I gave birth (by elective c-section, due to plancenta praevia) at C&W in July.

The post-natal ward is a bit crazy, I never saw the same midwife twice and they are definitely all rushed off their feet - check you know what drugs you are expecting and ASK if you get given anything that seems different!! But I wouldn't say I had a bad experience at all. I was so wrapped up in my baby, and only there 48 hours despite the c-section, blood transfusion and the fact they insisted I had a fever and were pumping antibiotics into me (I gave birth on the hottest day of the year, and I didn't have a blardy fever, I was just HOT. In the end I took a swig of cold water before they took my temperature, and managed to persuade them I was fine to go home!!)

Post natally, the at-home visits from the midwife were a bit shite, but things improved immensely once discharged into the care of the health visitors - I have a fantastic one, and that's not something you'll hear often.

If you'd like to meet up and quiz me in person (you must be fairly local; I live in Fulham), or even if you have any really specific questions, please do drop me a line - obviously if we meet up I will have to bring my little bundle of joy (now 6 months) with me - but that's no problem (for me, anyway!).

Overall though, I think it's an EXCELLENT hospital, you WILL be well looked after and I had an overwhelmingly positive experience.

And, for what it's worth, I never saw the bathrooms in any state other than spotless... I have heard differently from other mum-friends, so all I can say is, get up early in the morning (this was not a problem for me as I only got about 4 hours sleep the whole time I was there!)

We have been referred to the paediatric outpatients a few times since she was born too (nothing serious, thankfully) and I have to say, I have been very impressed with them... hospital care doesn't necessarily stop with the birth and I would be very willing to take my chances with a bit of shonky post natal care (you will be too spaced out to notice anyway) for the sake of ongoing excellent paediatric care.

And there's a Ben and Jerry's vending machine, and Carluccios over the road does take out, so you don't even have to eat the food.

OK, I am rambling now, do email me if you'd like to!

VerityClinch · 15/12/2009 21:57

Ooops. Also meant to say, there is a group of us mums on facebook, the majority of which gave birth at C&W between May and July this year, none of whom had a straightforward birth, so DO drop me a line and I can point you towards it - we love nothing more than (still, 6 months on) reliving our birth stories and will be only too happy to share.

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