Maternity Units?
Maternity Units?
Hi there. Hope you can be of help. I've just found out that I'm pregnant, and have to decide on which hospital I'd like to go. Being new to this, and new to the area, can anyone help me? I have a choice between Lewisham Hospital, and King's College Hospital. Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks!
Maternity Units
Congratulations! I had my daughter in Lewisham Hospital in 2002 and it was very good. Recently, I suffered a ruptured ectopic pregnancy and haemorraging ovarian cyst (at the same time - how much bad luck could I have!!) and the treatment I had at Lewisham Hospital was absolutely fantastic. I owe them my life. Also, big thanks to anyone out there who gives blood as I had a massive tranfusion and again, owe you guys my life!! So, I definately recommend Lewisham Hospital!! 
Lewisham maternity ward
Hi there!
My wife had our first child at Lewisham hospital in 2004 and we both agree that the place was much better than we expected - and in fact was very good.
We had a lazy baby, who preferred where she was to coming out, so my wife was induced. The midwife we had was fantastic, the ward was very secure and has its own operating area should the need ever arise - good for two reasons - speedy responce, and isolation from any illnesses in the rest of the hospital.
As for after the event, they have a post-birth ward where you can be in a 4/6 bed "small" ward, or for a small fee pay for a private room. (I can't remember the price, but we're not rich and it didn't sting).
The decor could have done with a refresh - and the cleaners in the post-birth ward tended to barge in and make a lot of noise, which was not great with a newborn that you've finally got to sleep.
Kings has a reputation for recommending c-sections when they are not really required and has one of the highest rates of c-sections per birth in the country (was in the news just recently).
Lewisham seemed to prefer the approach of "natural unless the baby is in distress" - which we preferred as an approach.
Hope this helps! All the best - fingers crossed from all of us!
My wife had our first child at Lewisham hospital in 2004 and we both agree that the place was much better than we expected - and in fact was very good.
We had a lazy baby, who preferred where she was to coming out, so my wife was induced. The midwife we had was fantastic, the ward was very secure and has its own operating area should the need ever arise - good for two reasons - speedy responce, and isolation from any illnesses in the rest of the hospital.
As for after the event, they have a post-birth ward where you can be in a 4/6 bed "small" ward, or for a small fee pay for a private room. (I can't remember the price, but we're not rich and it didn't sting).
The decor could have done with a refresh - and the cleaners in the post-birth ward tended to barge in and make a lot of noise, which was not great with a newborn that you've finally got to sleep.
Kings has a reputation for recommending c-sections when they are not really required and has one of the highest rates of c-sections per birth in the country (was in the news just recently).
Lewisham seemed to prefer the approach of "natural unless the baby is in distress" - which we preferred as an approach.
Hope this helps! All the best - fingers crossed from all of us!
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claireclaire
- Posts: 44
- Joined: 8 Jun 2006 13:52
- Location: Sydenham
Lewisham hospital
Hi ... I am in the same boat Belle, having to choose which hospital to deliver at. A couple of people told me they had had bad experiences at Lewisham... so it is good to hear some positive stories from others on this site.
Your midwife has probably already told you... you can go and visit the different hospitals and do a tour of the labour ward and ask all your questions. For Lewisham, they run this session every week on a Tuesday at midday, and I think at Kings College it is a Thursday evening (but call to check). That should be helpful.
I'm sure you're getting loads of advice.... one person told me just to choose whichever is closest, because when the time comes you're not going to want to be sitting in traffic... you want to get to the hospital N.O.W.!!! So for that reason I am leaning towards choosing Lewisham, primarily because it's the closest to me.
Anyway, good luck!
Claire
Your midwife has probably already told you... you can go and visit the different hospitals and do a tour of the labour ward and ask all your questions. For Lewisham, they run this session every week on a Tuesday at midday, and I think at Kings College it is a Thursday evening (but call to check). That should be helpful.
I'm sure you're getting loads of advice.... one person told me just to choose whichever is closest, because when the time comes you're not going to want to be sitting in traffic... you want to get to the hospital N.O.W.!!! So for that reason I am leaning towards choosing Lewisham, primarily because it's the closest to me.
Anyway, good luck!
Claire
Hi all
I recently had a baby Boy at Lewisham hospital (Feb 2006) and found the care received there very good. I had a c-section and the operation went really well and the scar took minimal time to heal- my quickest so far (my 3rd).
The only concern i had was the aftercare on the postnatal ward and the attitude of some of the staff were disgusting!!
Sian
I recently had a baby Boy at Lewisham hospital (Feb 2006) and found the care received there very good. I had a c-section and the operation went really well and the scar took minimal time to heal- my quickest so far (my 3rd).
The only concern i had was the aftercare on the postnatal ward and the attitude of some of the staff were disgusting!!
Sian
i have had 3 children at lewisham,1st in the newer maternity wing just a few weeks after it had opened,it was lovely and clean.however the last two 'visits' werent as nice,in fact it was quite filthy in parts,the care too was a bit mixed,some really nice staff and some not so nice uncaring ones,but on the whole prob no worse than most other busy hospitals like this!
have you considered a home birth?
have you considered a home birth?
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claireclaire
- Posts: 44
- Joined: 8 Jun 2006 13:52
- Location: Sydenham
After doing the labour ward tour at Lewisham, I actually started to consider a home birth for the first time. The labour ward was ok... [it's all midwife-run... 10 private birthing rooms, and then shared postnatal rooms (four beds in a room), although you can pay £35 to have a private postnatal room to yourself, if it's available.]... but I began to wonder whether the whole thing would be less stressful at home, and in fact whether you'd be more likely to get better care, because at least you'd be guaranteed a single midwife looking after you... (I think).
I guess the main disadvantage (for me) with the home birth is that it pretty much rules out the option of an epidural, since you'd need an anaesthetist to administer it.
Lewisham looked ok. I guess I think that if you're going to have a difficult birth, it'll be difficult regardless of which hospital you go to! Having said that, some hospitals will be more comfortable for you/baby/partner than others, just in terms of visiting hours, privacy, parking (!), attentiveness of staff, etc.
I guess the main disadvantage (for me) with the home birth is that it pretty much rules out the option of an epidural, since you'd need an anaesthetist to administer it.
Lewisham looked ok. I guess I think that if you're going to have a difficult birth, it'll be difficult regardless of which hospital you go to! Having said that, some hospitals will be more comfortable for you/baby/partner than others, just in terms of visiting hours, privacy, parking (!), attentiveness of staff, etc.
maternity units
Thanks everyone for all your feedback. We decided on King's College Hospital in the end, having spoke to my GP and the local NCT Branch. So far so good, baby due early October. I did think about a home birth, but as I live in a flat, I didn't think the upstairs neighbours would be too chuffed, and feel nervous too, as it's our first.