Chelsea & Westminster Maternity Care- recent experiences? Post Reply

[klw]

Hi

I am due with my second baby in just under 6 weeks and wondered if anyone had any recent feedback on the quality of maternity care at Chelsea and Westminster?

I had my daughter there in 2009 and had very good care during the delivery but a poor experience in the busy/ under staffed postnatal ward for 6 days afterwards.

Recently I've been hearing stories from friends (admittedly at other big London hospitals) of being left alone for the whole duration of labour, equipment not available and no option for an epidural, even if desperately wanted. It's all unnerved me a bit!!

Just wondering if that has been anyone's recent experience at C&W?

Thanks

[ckwmum]

I had my baby there last year and thought it was brilliant, couldn't praise the staff highly enough. But then someone I know had a baby there a month or so before me and had a terrible experience. I guess it'll always be a question of luck and who's working while you're there. But I was in for over a week and really found the staff fantastic.

[MamaH]

I had both my kids there, one three years ago and one last month. Had no problems with the birth either time, very supportive and helpful midwives, although I wasn't actually in the labour part very long and didn't have an epidural or whathaveyou.

I actually thought the aftercare was rather better this time round than with my first. I stayed in overnight and the nurses were fast at responding to buzzers and very supportive and willing to help new mothers out with everything from breastfeeding to the best way to change a nappy. They even took charge of a couple of mothers' babies for a short while to get them settled so the mothers could get some sleep. I mean, it was fine the first time too, but I thought they were going quite above and beyond this time.

Anyway. Good luck!

[amelieg]

Hello,

I had my baby there last year and they were amazing from begining to end. I was induced and had a long arduous labour (no epidural) which ended with a ventouse delivery and I can honestly say that all the staff was 100% commited and reassuring throughout. I would totally go back there if I have another one!

Best of luck!

[klw]

Thanks everyone- it's really reassuring to hear such positive experiences from you all!

[mgb]

I had my baby at C&W in April 2011. I highly rate the care I received.

My labour was 47 hours (first baby) so I went through three midwives, each one highly qualified and compassionate. I found they listened to my concerns and respected my wishes and birth plan, even when things steered off course.

Good luck! x

[sarah]

I had my daughter at C&W in 2008 and the care i received during labour was very good. I did insist on having an epidural and was not left once during my 12hr labour. I didn't think much of the aftercare i received but then i didn't breastfeed so i was rather easy to be left to get on with it.
Good Luck