St thomas vs kings for giving birth

[Tmarr]

Hi all!

I thought I would come to the forum and seek advice . I'm due to give birth hopefully late September but now need to make a decision on which hospital to give birth in. I've heard a lot of bad opinions about kings from local mums and friends in the area

And was hoping someone could help me make a decision on which hospital to give birth in. Any opinions, personal experience and advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

[Pickle]

Lots of bad things about Kings?

I feel extremely lucky to have had my 3 babies there - I had complicated pregnancies, Kings have the leading consultants and specialists in the country working there. People pay to see the consultants there, and complicated births from private hospitals get sent there.

That aside, you should consider which is easiest to get to. I ended up in hospital for a week prior to giving birth with my first, and if I had been at St Thomas's it would have been much harder for friends and my partner to visit. Also, I had lots of pre and post birth appointments to attend, far easier at Kings which is 5 mins away on a bus.

It's worth remembering that people are more likely to talk about their "bad" experiences than good ones (applies to everything in life), so for every unhappy customer there are hundreds and hundreds of happy ones.

[Otta]

I think some people say bad things about Kings just because it's not as new and shiny as Tommy's and they take that as meaning it's not as good.

For every birth horror story you'll hear about Kings, there's a birth horror story for Tommy's.

My wife had our first daughter at Tommy's (long drawn out induction, 2009) and our second at Kings (C-Section, 2011), and had a weeks stay after each. The room she stayed in at Tommy's was a bit nicer, with a better view, but other than that, we felt Kings edged it.

But basically they are both major London hospitals with some of the best medical professionals out there on their staff. You'll get good care at either.

Main thing that made us chose Kings second time round was the thought of a mad rush to Tommy's with wife in the throws of labour. As it was we avoided that both times, but the thought of that journey was not a happy one.

Good luck.

[lollol]

I had my baby at St Thomas that required intervention and was very pleased with the midwifes, doctors and nurses. It is one of the leading hospitals in London. I do think though that you rely on the staff there and then which can make a good or bad experience. But I would go to St Thomas again. Further, the after birth support particularly for breastfeeding is excellent and from friends having gone to Lewisham and Kings, seems to be more supportive.

[JS33]

I chose St. Thomas' five years ago because I was worried about Kings' being too stretched (both getting turned away on the day and also because at the time there were rumours that the overextended midwife staff wasn't as kind/handholding as one might like, although I now know loads of people who had terrific care during births there).

I was impressed by the nicer facilities at St. Thomas' and think I received very good care there despite a difficult birth. And, if you are lucky enough, there certainly couldn't be a nicer place to spend one's first night with a baby than in one of the home from home rooms (which I got even though I ended up giving birth on the medical side, because all the regular post-partum rooms were full).

That said, the thing that I didn't realise when I made my choice is how much that would affect the months before the birth -- instead of being able to see the midwife at my local surgery for antenatal care, I had to trek up to Camberwell for all of my antenatal appointments, which was a bit of a pain without a car. There were other little administrative inconveniences as a result of crossing jurisdictions, so to speak (for instance, I'm fairly certain that the reason I was never scheduled to see a consultant while I was pregnant was because that fell between the cracks of the two systems, and I didn't know to ask). I have no idea if all this is still the case, but if you're at all concerned you might want to speak to the midwife at your local surgery to see how different the months to come will look if you sign up for St. Thomas'.

In the end, though, I agree with all the other posters that both hospitals are excellent, so you won't go too far wrong either way. Best of luck to you!

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

I loved my midwife that I saw at Townley for my antenatal check ups and the distance to Kings was better suited especially as I had to endure extra scans ( it's very very busy there however so waiting times is always long ).

I can't say I had a good experience at Kings during my labour , it was a weekend , I had trainees staff in charge of my care , the whole experience from beginning to end was rather horrific , chaotic and I still try not to think about it five years on .

I put that down to just bad luck on my part with the staff I had and the timing as I go to Kings for other reasons and have found the service superb in other departments .

I have to say if I became pregnant again I would still choose Kings simply for location as I did end back up in Kings maternity ward due to an infection after the birth and the service there was good and it was easier for family to visit .

I have heard that the maternity ward has improved a lot since my experience .

[Otta]

RE Staff, I think it is largely luck of the draw. My wife was happier with the staff at Kings, they seemed friendlier and just more reassuring. At Tommy's we had this very young and excitable Australian. Very nice and all that, but I think my wife wanted to punch her when she was being all positive.

I think the long and the short of it is that everyone wants something different, and an annoying midwife to one person will be exactly what another person wants to reassure them.

Also, my wife chose Tommy's first time round because she works there and it was convenient for appointments. Going up there for each appointment would have been a pain in the arse.

[Chloebenson]

I chose St Thomas' for the home from home birth centre. It was brilliant. The care was great and I got my own room for the whole stay with a sofa bed for my husband. The room overlooked Big Ben and was a great experience overall. I would go back for my second and recommend it. It beats sharing a busy ward at kings anyday.

[ClareC]

Baby one Tommy's 2010, baby two Kings 2011.

Both hospitals fantastic, better views from the Kings operating theatre ;)

Seriously, both excellent but much easier when living in ED to go to Kings, closer for antenatal appointments, when in labour / visiting etc.

[Monkey]

King's is an excellent hospital - you should be well looked after there during the birth. The post natal ward is another story with a few midwives/nurses and other staff I would have happily given a piece of my mind to (actually I did!) but it think it's everywhere. If I were to do it again, I'd go to King's, definitely. For the top rate obstetricians (my midwives were the Lanes so can't comment on midwives on labour ward) and also because I would not want to travel too far when in labour, get caught in a traffic jam or whatever...

Best of luck!

[Jo'sEnglish]

Just to add that you can change your mind so don't let anyone think that once you have made a decision you have to stick with it if you decide that it is not for you after all. It's worth choosing the most convenient hospital for now and then spending some time visiting other hospitals and doing some research. Check out http://aims.org.uk/ and make sure you know your rights.

[Sol]

I had my two children in St Thomas and was very happy; however I didn't have any complications so not sure what is like if you requiere interventions; the maternity unit is very modern, ast least the part I gave birth

[Tmarr]

Thank you so much everyone for all the Advice and experiences with both hospitals. You all have been so much help and im glad I came to the forum!

T xx

[simonethebeaver]

I would add that you may want to think about whether or not you want to use a case loading midwifery team like the Lanes or Oakwood. That would mean booking in at Kings, but getting the majority of your care from midwives that know you, and delivering with familiar staff.

[ZoeG]

I had my baby at Kings and all was good. Friends have been happy at St. Thomas's too. I think we are lucky that we have the choice between a good hospital and a good hospital. Not a lot of choice in other parts of the country. My sister lives in Kent and went she had twins a few years ago she had to travel to Kings because the facilities weren't at her local hospital. I would go with the closest and congestion charge less option.

[SEnewbie]

I had my first baby at at Thomas's last year.... They we're mostly brilliant. I have an underlying condition so needed lots of extra appointments & they really looked after me. I also work close to Westminster.

The post natal ward was nice (plus great views!) but like anywhere extremely busy & you don't get much attention once baby arrives.

I'm having my second at kings because it's so much closer to home now I've another little one to consider aswell.ive only heard good things & So far they've been really good too, scanning is excellent. I've been pretty well this time round & thankfully haven't needed any extra attention.

I think go with what's easiest for you to get to, both ante natal appointment wise & at time of birth.

Good luck x

[CFM]

I had my first at St Thomas and two subsequent babies at Kings. I would say post-natal care was probably better at St Thomas but all else better at Kings, particularly pre-natal appts and midwife care. Both are very busy and once you have the baby they leave you to your own devices... I had an emergency csection at Thomas' (not particularly traumatic or anything) but two easier natural births at Kings so that may colour my judgement. Prepare for them to be really rushed though - with my last baby (two months ago) they didn't even measure him after birth and we had to ask for the weight! they were great during actual labour though, and that's the main thing... I should say I chose T for my first as our closest hospital was then Whittington. Kings is our closest and that was great. Good luck!

[jenc]

I've only experienced Kings and have had two babies there(one emergency c section, one natural) - like lots of others, labour and immediate recovery was excellent but the care on the post natal ward is a lot less attentive. Ante natal care at Kings was great, their facilities and expertise are fantastic. The Lanes looked after me for my third and they were brilliant too, I'd really recommend the case loading midwives.

[CocoC]

Bit of an aside but would you consider a home birth? About a year ago when I found out I was pregnant I posted exactly the same question as you on this forum. I ended up getting Lanes caseload care and having my daughter at home was the best decision I ever made. I couldn't fault the care of the midwives before, during and after the birth. The catering was perfect (thanks to my husband :)) and being tucked up in my own bed with my new baby was just perfect. Just some food for thought - completely appreciate it wouldn't be everyone's choice/ it's not an option for some.

[FlorenceRedbird]

After a really straightforward and lovely home birth (with Brierley midwives) for my first son, I planned the same again for my second son who was born at the end of Jan. When things didn't go according to plan, I transferred to Kings. I really didn't want to go to hospital, but all the staff at Kings were amazing. I felt confident that I was in really good hands. I stayed in hospital a while afterwards and I was largely left alone which was ideal as far as I was concerned, but every other woman on my ward recieved extensive breastfeeding support - presumably because they asked for it. I can't say enough good things about Kings.

[caz6868]

Both hospitals have there pros and cons.it what suits you and your baby.think about what you expect your care to be and see what they offer.i have had 5 c-sections at kings and had a whale of a time.i am happy as long as baby is ok.

Good luck

[Giacomelli]

I had a fairly uncomplicated birth at kings and was very happy with the treatment I received. I went home the same day out of choice. The taxi journey from east dulwich seemed like the longest ride of my life so I definitely would not have wanted to travel all the way to st thomas. Not all first labours are slow!

[Smiler]

First baby I looked round tommy's but chose king's because of the much shorter journey, which was quite important in the end. Also, not that many women actually get to deliver in the "home from home" unit in tommy's as you have to move to the main labour ward if necessary.

Second time we moved house when was 36 weeks pregnant so I switched to st helier in sutton, nearest big hospital which was good and the staff far less stretched than kings (fewer births there), they had a nice new birthing unit too (but again not suitable for all births).