Worth changing maternity or is it everywhere the same?

[PurpleCrescent]

Hi, I am 6 months pregnant and since the beginning I have felt in the dark. I leave in London and I had the choice of a few hospitals. I pick Guy and St Thomas' as it was close to work and would be convenient for appointments when we would go back to work (choice made during COVID lockdown and hospital just a bit further than others).

I basically got no information about any of my appointment and today I am checking where I should go for an appointment next week for which I was given the time months ago. And I am told actually the time is different. Before there was the case of a call appointment supposed to happen at 10.45am and I was called at 2.30pm, having to hang by my phone for hours, not being able to engage in anything I would not be able to stop immediately.

I am lucky, I have been working during all lockdown and have still tons of work, which also means my schedule is not flexible as others' might be. My work will accommodate me but not at the last minute.

I am really pissed off and I am thinking of changing maternity as I will not go back to work in the office and I think the little upside I can still see is not worth the added stress not to have any information and that everything I am told end up changing.

Has anyone experience with King's College Hospital in Denmark Hill?

I looked at their maternity numbers and they seem to do less unnecessary Cesarean, which I like as well. But it might just be stress to change for no improvement at all.

Any experience of other South London maternities?

Thank you

PC

[cmbxm]

Some hospitals and areas won’t let you switch thanks to COVID, I’ve been placed into a catchment bubble and can’t move to my preferred hospital thanks to covid, check moving is actually an option, fingers crossed it is for you xx

[PurpleCrescent in reply to cmbxm]

Thank you very much! it is very good to know. I hope things well turn out well for you. x

[Hidden]

Hi there – did you manage to check about switching hospitals? I’m with King’s College though not at their Denmark Hill site – I’m going to the Princess Royal site in Bromley to give birth.

They’ve been pretty good so far in terms of letting me know what’s going on with appointments. They always phoned the week before to confirm, but now they seem to just let me know at the appointment whether the next one is by phone or in person. They’re still not letting partners in for scans, which was/is a huge disappointment (I have scans at Harris Birthright at the Denmark Hill site), but the staff are really good, really thorough and friendly.

Have they got you to sign up to the Maternity Notes app? I discovered my final two appointment times had changed because I happened to look over my appointments on the app, so it gave me plenty of warning. They usually send me a letter as well if anything changes dramatically.

Good luck with it all, whatever happens x

[PurpleCrescent in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for this. I will spend the weekend looking more into the idea and look at the facilities that have at King's College. I have the app but I think the app is a mess as well. I can't understand how the test results are organised, the appointments are not clear (and mine was not changed until probably Wednesday or yesterday apparently - for next week) and most of the leaflets that would be useful don't work but some of it might just be how each maternity uses the app.

Thank you!!

[Hidden in reply to PurpleCrescent]

Ha ha! Yes, you’re right about the test info/antenatal visit summaries or whatever – they’re all over the place. I was told that some test results aren’t allowed to be put on the app, even though it seems like they’re supposed to be?!

You’re right, I’m sure – different maternity departments are better (or worse) at using the app... Anyway, hope your experience gets better, whatever you decide to do x