Chelsea Westminster or Kingston Maternity hospitals (NHS)? Post Reply

[purgrant]

Hi, I have recently found out I am pregnant with my first babe (around 5-6 weeks), and I need to pick a hospital to book my first appointment... I am feeling very overwhemled about what to choose and struggling to find any recent reviews or posts - I would greatly appriciate any thoughts on whether to pick Kingston or C&W - I live more or less the same distance / travel time from both.

Also once a hospital has been picked can you change later or is that decision final?

Thanks so much Xx

[noddy]

Hi- I used the C&W and would definitely recommend them. The regular check ups took place on time- although I can’t remember them being particular remarkable in any way. We also supplemented that with private check ups a few times but I don’t think that is necessary. My son was born with an infection- so they took amazing care of him in the Pediatric ward - we had to stay there for a week until he got well. This is pretty much the most important aspect- ie do they have good pediatric intensive care facilities and I am not sure Kingston does? Also in the event you need to stay there for a while, you can book a room in the NHS section or in the private wing- they are expensive but it is a nice option to have. The wards, comfort factor etc were just regular NHS- but it was good to have a nice selection of take away restaurants literally next door as I didn’t fancy the hospital food and was there for so long! Overall decent service and great pédiatric care. Congratulations and good luck!

[purgrant]

Hi Noddy, Thank you so very much for your reply - I appriciate it so much X
You have raised such a valid point about the pediatric care, to be honest something I had not even thought about.

[Starr]

Hello

congratulations on your pregnancy.

My second child was born at Kingston and I had a good experience there. It was a very uncomplicated labour. What swayed me towards Kingston rather than C and W was the antenatal appointments which for Kingston were at Queen Mary hospital I Roehampton which was convenient for where my first child was at nursery I Putney. We lived in Purney then. NCT friends had all had a good experience at Kingston and had been given their own room after labour.The others had chosen C and W and were satisfied too. My first child was born at St Mary's and although the facilities and expertise are grea it is a busy large hoapital and I didnt like the busy ward after giving birth.

So weigh up the options for antenatal appointments too. I do believe all the hospitals are equipped for emergency situations and complications.

Best wishes

[Minastudio]

Hi,

A Very hearty congratulations to you! I hope you get to enjoy every minute of your blessed pregnancy!

I felt compelled to write and share my personal experience of C&W.
About a year ago I lost a pregnancy rather late on and had to undergo some very unpleasant and distressing visits but the teams who took care of me were absolutely outstanding. I mean absolutely lovely, comforting and reassuring. There were never any scheduling issues of likewise.

A few months later I got pregnant again and started my prenatal with them. This time around everything was different, because there were no early signs of anything being problematic with my pregnancy I went to the 'regular prenatal teams'. Perhaps worth mentioning I was for natural reasons nervous and anxious just months previously suffered a loss. But I also have 2 children and have experienced the 2 wonderful pregnancy journeys and births.
The first prenatal visit was a joke, the receptionist was shockingly rude, the appointment 40 minutes late, the midwife was highly stressed and got about everything possibly wrong. I came home and comforted myself that this was probably a one off and that '**** happens even to the best'.
All visits came and went about the same. I never knew which midwife I was seeing that day, ALWAYS running late. Upon appointment they always got the number of weeks wrong. My midwife forgot to screen my urine sample more than once. In hindsight I wish I would have had to guts and pride to rise above and requested a transfer to a different team or different hospital. I absolutely dreaded going.

Day of labour. My midwife at the Birthing clinic was so cold, and almost never in the room. I have never felt so lonely or isolated.

My sum of the whole is that the doctors and experts appear amazing all around at C&W but I have had some bad luck with the midwife both prenatal and in the birthing clinic. Although I knew all along if something would go strange that there is a whole world of good doctors at the hospital. 

I advise you to speak up if unhappy or displeased. This time in life should be to most beautiful and warming experience and the people working with you should be supportive and comforting. Personally I probably would opt for labor ward next time if one should arise unless I have a whole team of friends and family with me to the birthing clinic. Another thing I personally didn't like about the birthing clinic is NO bed, that thin pad on the floor feels really uncomfortable after about 1 minute.

Whichever hospital you opt for I am sure you will be in safe and capable hands, remember that mama bear inside knows a whole lot. This is your pregnancy and your baby so you make the calls. These are moments you will never forget. Best of luck making the decision right for you! I wish you all the best! xx
 

[NatMac]

Congratulations on your pregnancy!
I was offered both C&W and Kingston when I was pregnant with my first child, and we only made the choice to Kingston because of thinking about going into Labour on a Friday at 5pm and having to face the Chelsea traffic!
I can honestly say it was a great decision for us. Agreed with the above, my appointments were at Roehampton and it’s so quiet there - no queues for the parking, plus the midwives were on time. Occasionally they would be later at Kingston when we had to go.
Unfortunately I suffered with pre-eclampsia that was picked up at 39 weeks and had to be induced. The midwives and doctors were amazing. They listened to all of my concerns and needs, and I truly felt in control of the birth, that ultimately ended in a c-section.
I am pregnant again with my second and am once again at Kingston. For me, I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.
Good luck - whatever choice you make, speak up if something doesn’t feel right and state how you’re feeling.

[TeddMom]

Hi

Many congratulations on your pregnancy!

I have experience of both hospitals as my elder was born in C&W when we lived in Battersea and my youngest in Kingston after we moved. Both are excellent units in my opinion. My first pregnancy was a doddle and the ante-natal appointments were informative with no issues. My labour was uncomplicated too and we couldn’t fault the mod-wives at C&W. We ended up being able to stay in a private room after my son was born and my husband was able to stay which was amazing but I know not the usual experience of most mums. The only thing I would say about C&W was that they were quick to discharge us (12hrs post birth) where I think we would have benefitted from staying overnight but as it was our first we didn’t know at the time. They were also great when I had to come back to the hospital a few days later for some follow-up treatment.

Now, Kingston is where my youngest was born and we had a completely different experience there. After a non-eventful pregnancy, my son was very suddenly born at 31wks in an emergency c-section. He was in NICU and the neo-natal unit for 6weeks in total and I have to say that the care and treatment we were given was just incredible. From the stressful beginning of early labour to the minute he was allowed home, the doctors and nursing staff at Kingston was second to none. They kept us calm, fully informed and we never once doubted the care he was given. I know another poster wasn’t sure about the Kingston neo-natal care but I can happily confirm that it is amazing should you choose to have your baby there. The follow-up care he had was also fabulous (still going on nearly 6yrs later!!).

Obviously I had very different experiences of both units due to the circumstances but rest assured that either choice will be a good one.

Good luck!

[ms_viking]

Congratulations! I hope you have an uneventful pregnancy. Much like one of the above commenters, I’ve had two very different experiences, both at C&W. First was uncomplicated, and we were super happy with the care we got. We even got to stay in a private room free of charge afterwards because the ward was full.

Second time around there were a ton of complications and baby was delivered at 32 weeks by emergency C-section. Again we can’t fault the care we received, though I have to say the high risk consultants are not always the warmest of people (I suspect that holds across hospitals). One thing to consider is that the NICU facilities at C&W are a level 3 (highest level in the U.K.) and I’m pretty sure Kingston are only a level 2. That said, if your baby needs follow-up community care after a NICU stay you are likely to get that from Kingston even if your original stay was at C&W, because their team doesn’t travel south of the river for whatever reason.

[purgrant]

Thank you all so very much for taking the time to reply to me and for your all your advice! I really can't thank you all enough XX

[Andrea1989]

Hi

Thanks for asking this - I find myself in the same position about 7 weeks pregnant, living in the area and not knowing which hospital to attend.

Reading all the comments, I think we will be in good hands at either place :)

[Bluebunny]

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I had two children at C&W, both really good experiences. The first one was more complicated and required a consultant present and the labour was very long. The second was quicker and more straightforward. Both times I felt in really good hands. I would say though that personally I’m not bothered by certain things that other mums might find important. I never saw the same midwife twice but didn’t mind. Also the ward after the birth was very busy, but frankly I was so happy they could have put me anywhere. I hope you have a great pregnancy. My favourite memories are eating sushi at C&W after births!

[UDR]

Is it okay to self refer to both Kingston and C&W and then choose after the initial midwife appointment? I don’t want to be greedy but I’m completely torn. I’m new to all this. Thanks

[Bal]

Hi, anyone with more recent experience of these two hospitals?

I was pregnant last year and had chosen C&W but was not happy with the inexperienced midwife, and very cold nurse and the staff who did the scan. I had a missed miscarriage and when I went for follow up appointments there was always a student/or someone else who needed to be present and learn on me while I was so scared because they told me something was wrong but were waiting for a natural discharge of the embryo.

I am pregnant again and registered with both Kingston and C&W. I had only first midwife appointment with both, and enjoyed more the one with the experienced midwife from C&W.

I am really confused who to proceed with.

Any advice would help,
Thank you

[loobsno1]

I had a great experience with C&W. They have a team of midwives called the sunflower team and they do all of your appointments at home which was really lovely. If you’re in their catchment area then I would definitely recommend them and the C&W hospital.

[LouCops]

Congrats. I am currently 23 weeks pregnant and started my journey at Chelsea but have just moved to Kingston and so happy I did.

Honest assessment. Chelsea is defo newer and more flash. I found out I was pregnant with twins and wanted to have a natural birth. From speaking with a lot of people, Chelsea are very medicalised where as Kingstons seem much more community and supportive of a natural twin birth.

So far I am so happy I have moved. I do have a specialist twin midwife team who are incredible at Kingston but I think if you are after a more TLC approach, Kingston seems better.

Also C&W were over an hour late for every appointment and I felt the downside of being at a large hospital.

I am still on my journey so hopefully I continue to feel happy at Kingston but so far so good