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[nightmonkey]

Hi, I'm sure this topic has been discussed to death, so apologies if I am repeating some discussions. I've just recently found out I am pregnant and the part I have been dreading most is the choice of hospitals - mainly because I have had the misfortune to only hear quite horrible stories about C&W and St Georges from close friends (these are our only two options and an attempt to get into another hospital where we have heard good things did not work out). Location-wise C&W is better, so have gone for that, but I am really nervous about the lack of care in most NHS hospitals. Has anyone had any good C&W experiences recently or have any recommendations for making this journey as sane as possible given my anxiety? Doulas? Can you go part private and pay only for a private room? What are the costs involved in this? I am really excited to be pregnant and don't want to spend the entire time worrying about what can go wrong.

[ckwmum]

I had 2 babies at C&W and could not fault the care I received. Ignore people with horror stories, it's always the people who have been through the toughest times who tell their stories the most, that definitely doesn't mean it's going to happen to you.

A doula is a brilliant idea and they have doulas on site at C&W which is another great reason to choose there. So you can get the doula experience without having to fork out loads.

You can get a private room if you pay, subject to availability. It's not cheap, perhaps 500 or so I think, but way cheaper than 15k or whatever it would be to go fully private.

You've chosen a fantastic hospital and I hope you have a brilliant experience.

Pm me if you have any specific questions.

Honestly don't worry, everyone's experience is unique and down to who's working that day.

[Hedgehogz]

I had a great experience last year. Best of luck !

[nightmonkey]

Thank you both. I knew it couldn't all be bad. Just quite terrifying being pregnant for the first time! I'm sure many more questions will pop up over the coming months.

[NYE31]

C & W are amazing, I had an emergency c - section there & I couldn't fault the care or nurses or facilities.

If it helps, a couple of my NCT friends are having no. 2 at C & W having had no.1 at St Georges & not been happy there.

Good luck

[Batterseamummy]

I had both of mine at C&W and couldn't praise them (from midwives to consultants) highly enough.

The thing you have to remember with any NHS hospital is that it's not a hotel where you're going to be waited on hand and foot. There are shortages in all departments now but C&W is a top London teaching hospital so you can't do much better than that.

Good luck!

[alisonismail]

Hi there, congrats on your pregnancy.

Wanted to echo all the previous posters! Lots of my friends have used both those hospitals and had overwhelmingly positive experiences. Obviously a few people do have really bad ones and I wouldn't want to belittle those, but (although I am no expert) I would say it is far more likely to be things to do with the post natal ward like noise levels, or taking ages to get discharged (maddening, but not dangerous) that cause annoyance, rather than seriously bad things to do with the birthing process itself, where standards tend to be high. If you are lucky you may avoid the post natal ward altogether anyway.

I had my first baby in St Thomas' and my second at home with midwives from St George's (in both cases, great experiences, especially the St G Home Birth team who were phenomenally good), so I can't comment on C&W except the positive things I have heard from friends. But I would echo the doula suggestion - lots of friends have used them and found it really helpful, and if some of your anxiety is about things like having an extra advocate for you when it comes to decision making when you're in labour (eg on pain relief), and/or establishing feeding, then I think there is good evidence that doulas make a real difference in both respects. And there are lots of good ones round here!

Good luck, best wishes for the rest of your pregnancy and indeed what comes after!

[btcmum]

I have pretty much experienced it all at C&W... induction, forceps, ventouse, a natural labour and a planned c-section... both NHS and part private. Faultless across the board. Please, feel free to pm me if you would like to chat a bit more.

x

[Wmum]

Congratulations! Cant rate C&W highly enough.
I had a difficult pregnancy (my waters broke at 23 weeks) and I can tell you C&W were fantastic. I did a months bed rest there and then my little boy spent 6 months in their noeontal unit. Sounds terrifying I know, but they really looked after us both and I felt we were in safe hands. I contemplated going privately at C&W - but was really glad I didnt as I was seen by the same consultants in the nhs part as operate on the private wing, for free. Not withstanding my case was extreme. Im sure your pregnancy will be a happy healthy one - and dont want to scare you in to even thinking of such things, but though it would be useful to add my experience - as ultimately its a safe birth and a healthy mum and baby that are the most important things. I too have heard of some complaints about post natal care - but its good to know that when there are complications - these guys know their stuff.
Good luck
x

[Wmum]

P.S - Hope I didnt scare you with my post as the whole thing is scary enought already! Just wanted to let you know how well C&W looked after me in the NHS bit. My case was extremely unusual but all ended well. When I do it all over again it will be there. All the best x

[Fergie1]

I had my baby at C&W 3 years ago and the care was amazing. I am pregnant again and wouldn't have picked any other place. Really great midwifes and consultants.

[firsttimerSW11]

I am 22 weeks pregnant with my first baby currently and using C&W. I have not obviously given birth there, but I can't fault my care, all midwives are so lovely and any staff I've encountered are equally nice. And actually most are native English speakers, if you care about things like that. The only reason I mention that is that there is no issues with communication and I personally like being cared for by people who have most likely got their qualifications in this country (a personal opinion only I hasten to add)
Incidentally, you can get a private room in the C&W on a first come first served basis, it's £350/night. I guess given the demographic of the area, they might be hard to come by and I do believe they give preference to women with difficult births or twin pregnancies but I for one will be jumping at it if there is one free.
I know they say St Georges is fantastic but I have been there a few times and if you're going by looks alone, the C&W would win hands down. I have heard from several friends that the post natal care at St Georges is appalling and the midwives are pretty brusque.

[NYE31]

You can also get a private room in the Kensington Wing for £850 a night for normal delivery & £950 for c -section (2011 prices) even if you give birth on the NHS ward & there happen to be free rooms.

I would def go back to the C & W.

Good luck & PM me if you would like more advice

[Batterseamummy]

Oh yes speaking of private rooms I got an amenity room (the NHS private rooms) for £250 a night with own bathroom etc. It was brilliant but you can't pre-book, you just have to hope there's one free. If you want one make sure you tell them as soon as you arrive and they'll put your name down on the list.

[nightmonkey]

It is so lovely to hear about all your positive experiences. I guess it's worth mentioning that in my job I have to deal with quite a lot of people who have gone through traumatic birthing experiences and that has left me slightly scarred! So, don't worry about scaring me, I think I've just about heard it all . Yet, everyone seems to get through it! I will definitely pm some of you at a later stage to get some recommendations and for more questions if that is okay. Thanks again, you have all really put my mind at ease and I can go back to enjoying the rollercoaster.