Which hospital - I am so confused?

[RIB10]

I currently live in Hackney and am booked in at the Homerton. They have been ok so far but I have read so many scare stories. I know they have a new birthing centre opening and the maternity wards are being updated - but has anyone experienced any of the new facilities?

I am considering switching to UCLH or the Whittington? Any thoughts on all of this would be greatly appreciated. This is baby number 1 so very anxious about it all!

Examples that worry me are that my scan (nuchal) was only 5 minutes, whereas someone who went to UCLH was in there for over an hour while everything was checked.

Thoughts?

Oh, I should have said. I am moving into Islington very soon. Can go to same GPs but it has made me think about moving to a different hospital.

I am booked in at the whittington, will tell you after i have the baby!

Hi there,
My sister had her first baby at the Homerton and she spoke quiet highly of the hospital and the midwives were fantastic. She also did some research before deciding which hospital to go for, speaking to other mums in the area (lived in Spitalfields area) and they all said Homerton was a good place to give birth...
Mind you this was a year and a half ago though.

How long they take to do the scan doesn't necessarily give an indication of competent or otherwise they are. A huge amount of it has to do with whether your baby's in a position where they can take the measurements they need to without a problem and whether they see anything slightly concerning - if the positions right and there's no worries then it can be very quick (whereas with DD1 I had to go for a walk around the car park to try and get her to move so they could see anything...). An hour is very long for a 12 week scan - it's so long that either the baby wasn't co-operating, they saw a possible problem that they wanted to make extra sure of, the sonographer was inexperienced () or all of the above.

Sorry for giving you another scare story. I found the care at Homerton ok, but felt forced into an induction (perfectly normal pregnancy that went overdue) during which I and my baby weren't monitored properly and my daughter died aged 3 days. The coroner's verdict was gross neglect (a very harsh and rarely given verdict). While the vast majority of women and babies may come out of the Homerton ok, there are 'unlucky' ones like me. I, like you, had read scare stories, but had thought someting like that wouldn't happen to me. Also the lack of care during my delivery (supposedly not at a busy time) really shocked me.
I've had fertility treatment at UCLH and was struck by the difference with the staff. At UCLH absolutely everyone I've been in contact with are friendly, helpful and supportive. You really feel taken care of. This would be my hospital of choice.

I am sorry to hear about your experience sf1102. I have heard a lot of good things about UCLH and I shall bear in mind your experience when making my decision.

I chose UCLH and went for primary early wk 7 scan and loved the experience! I am staying with them. So far tumbs up!