Help choosing hospital

[EarlypreggoIVF]

Hi all! Any personal experiences from Watford General or Queen Charlottes for midwife and maternity ward?

Im only 6 weeks pregnant - but trying to decide between the two??

Thanks

Those hospitals are a long way apart with other maternity units between. Why those choices?

Thank you for your reply. Watford is the closest to me, and I have been recommended Queens charlottes so I guess I just thought of those 2. I’m happy to take any other suggestions, I’m happy to travel a little bit for what might be considered overall better quality of care

My midwife told me specifically not to go to Watford (we are halfway between there and Stoke Mandeville). I also have a couple of friends who had bad experiences at Watford, and one who found it ok.

There are actually online NHS reports into each maternity unit, I found them recently after reading this in the paper. Stoke Mandeville was rated good which matched my experience. I think Watford was rated "needs improvement". I'll try to find a link

Here you go:
www.cqc.org.uk/location/RWG02/inspection-summary

Oh brilliant thanks so much for this!

I had both mine at QCCH and they were great for two very different deliveries (one pre eclampsia induction and one water birth in the midwife unit). It might be a bit of a trek for all the appointments though, I was local. It was a few years ago also.

Thanks so much for this. Seems like a tough choice. After going through 4 rounds of IVF and 5 years TTC and lots of Doctor’s attention trying to get pregnant - I’m really scared about what will follow! I’d be happier with a slight extra journey for good care. I actually live close to the a40 so perhaps I will go for Queen charlottes. Although years ago, I was born there and my mum sings their praises!

I had my first two at Queen Charlotte’s and my third at Watford. Despite QC’s great reputation, I had a much better experience at Watford.

QC - Waiting times for appointments were ridiculous. Usually running 2-4 hours late. Ended up with multiple parking tickets that I had to challenge despite overestimating the time I’d be in there. Parking was a nightmare at busy times. Births were both horrendous and ended in forceps and awful tears. Baby 2 they broke his collar bone during delivery and didn’t even notice despite newborn checks. I only discovered it days later when a community midwife came out from Watford to see me at home. Left alone for ages after delivery covered in blood and bleeding. Would press the buzzer for help and no one would come. Midwives on ward very abrupt (probably as they were very stressed and overworked). Ended up re-admitted after Baby 1 as they pushed me out the door far too early without establishing feeding and in huge amounts of pain.

Watford - appointments ran early, on time or up to 10 mins late at worst. Parking wasn’t great but I think they’ve just opened a new car park and definitely preferable to QC. Lovely midwives on ward. Elective C Section was calm and no problems. Someone came within minutes of pressing buzzer. Lots of help. Lovely, friendly midwives. Couldn’t fault it, even with the covid restrictions.

Also QC told me Baby 2 had hyperspadias. So I spent a good few hours worrying about DS and his future and when I finally plucked up the courage to look in his nappy…he definitely didn’t! Yes, he needed circumcising, but he definitely did not need major surgery for hyperspadias.

Omg I’m so sorry for you’re experiences, sounds horrific! Glad you had a better experience at Watford. I kinda knew I’d have stories both ways - as NHS hospitals are all a little hit and miss I think depending on the time period and business at the time. I’ll continue to think and gather peoples advice and go from there. The long waits defintiely put me off. Do you mind me asking when you had your babies - the years I mean?

Yes, you’ll definitely get good and bad reviews for both.

DC1 2013 QC
DC2 2015 QC
DC3 2020 Watford

Maybe QC have addressed their ridiculous waiting times, but definitely worth trying to find out as it was crazy. Staff would just shrug and say there was nothing they could do but if you weren’t there when they called you (if you nipped out to get another parking ticket for your car) then you’d go to the back of the queue and may not be seen!

Sorry the delayed reply, somehow I kissed this message! I thought I'd update you, and in case anyone is following this thread.

I chose Queen Charlottes in the end. and I dont want to jinx it, but so far has been very good with little to no wait times and generally a really good service. It's never too late for things to change lol, but so far so good x

MISSED this message not kissed lol 🙄