Labour ward tours at Kings?

[Smiler]

Think at Tommy's the private ward is staffed by nurses and not midwives too.

[prm]

Absolutely, I certainly wouldn't dream of pushing my way into a room and kicking out someone else who needs it more 9and I don't think that is what was being suggested either). But if there is the option of paying for a private room (like you have in Tommys and Watford for example) I might well be interested in doing that.

I know there are good and bad stories about Kings, but overall I feel very happy and privileged to be able to give birth in such a good hospital. I have been there when my nieces were born and the new facilities were fantastic and as it happens they had a good experience too. The only part I was not impressed with was the post-labour ward (and given the feedback / threads in this forum on the subject I don't think I am the only one).

That is the part I am dreading the most (more than labour itself), after hearing stories from friends saying the first night with their first baby was the worst, the baby kept crying, they didn't know what to do...and I am talking about friends in Spain who had their husbands in the room with them all night and had a room shared by 2 people only, which is the standard in public hospitals over there.

[Smiler]

Don't worry too much prm - I found the first two nights (in Kings) very difficult, my daughter screamed virtually all night long and it was difficult to ask for help, eventually a kind healthcare assistant took her away for a bit (my only reaction was relief!) and brought her back sleeping. Those nights did pass though, and now seem like an age away. Next time would be more assertive about asking for help and keep reciting the mantra that it will pass!

[Kate C]

Didn't find the labour ward tour too negative. They use it as an opportunity to emphasize certain messages, mainly 'don't turn up too early in labour'- that particular message was repeated a million times. It was worth doing though, so you know where to go and also to find out what stuff to bring etc. For eg , who would have thought that they'd have plenty of Swiss balls and a CD player in every room but that you should bring your own pillow? Also, I was quite pleased to see the size and condition of the rooms - could be much worse. You just turn up, no need to book.

[sillywoman]

buggie Wrote:

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> Is it Guthrie wing you're thinking of?? That's the

> private/international patients ward - don't know

> if they'd take maternity cases as it's staffed by

> nurses rather than midwives.

Yes, that's the one buggie - I think they do have a maternity unit there. I'm pretty sure one of my Mums used it last year. Not sure enough to stake my life mind you! However I do know that you can't have your baby in the NHS unit then pay for a private room postnatally at Kings.