More praise for Kings.

[Ruth_Baldock]

I have just had an appointment where the very lovely registrar spent well over an hour discussing VBAC options with me, in great detail. I felt like a person, not a number and was listened to, consulted and treated with consideration and patience. Registrar has convinced me that now that my baby is head down, to go for a VBAC rather than assume I 'can't possibly do it'. He also went through my notes from my previous labour with me, and I now FINALLY know why cheeky S wouldn't come out. All in all, Kings are absolutely brilliant and I am struggling to fault them at all.

[jennyh]

Ah that is great news! I have mixed experiences of Kings but overall I too have been impressed. My labour experience wasnt ideal and the breastfeeding aftercare wasn't fantastic but they are often too stretched and still manage to give great care (I think I was an exception where the maternity care is concerned). The breast assessment unit is fantastic and having had lots of trips there I really value having such a great hospital down the road!

Good Luck!!! How exciting!

[Pickle]

That is brilliant Ruth, I'm so pleased for you.

I've been to Kings a couple of times in the last few weeks and can't fault the care I've received. We are very lucky to have such a great resource right on our doorstep.

[Ruth_Baldock]

Thanks, Pickle- a few trips you say? Not to Harris Birthright ;) ?

Actually, I've been really impressed with all their services; Paeds A+E have always been exceptional with Seb (and me, weeping like a mentalist whenever I've taken him in). Even right down to the phlebotomists who had to take my blood whilst I tried to escape, everyone has always been fab.

[Pickle]

Ha ha, sorry to disappoint, but no!

[EmmaCC]

I had a successful VBAC there in January and found the consultants and midwifes to be brilliant.. so supportive of my decision to go for it and amazingly encorouging to keep going through the labour... good luck!

[Moos]

So great to read this - I've always sung the praises of the staff at Kings who delivered and looked after me and my babies - and doubly great that they are now not obliged to take every woman in labour who turns up. Although selfishly I am a bit jealous that it didn't happen earlier... didn't enjoy my 3 hours in established labour on a couch in triage. Ho hum.

*looks at healthy baby going loopy in bouncer & puts into perspective*

[Otta]

My wife has just had our second daughter at Kings (having had our first at Tommy's), andwe are so impressed with everyone.

We actually swichd from Tommy's to Kings mid way, simply because it's closer, and we were a bit scared of a mad rush to Tomy's (last time she was induced 2 weeks late, so all very organised, and no going in to labour at home).

As a result of this switch, a test for diabetes was overlooked (which isn't really anyone's fault), and when Kings did a scan at 33 weeks, they said baby was very big, and Mrs Otta had Polyhydramnios (too much amniotic fluid), now, this is our one gripe, polyhydramnios can be a sign of Gestational diabetes, they said as much, but despite 2 further scans, and 3 appointments with obstetricians, no one ordered the tests for it!

Anyway, we finally got to see the consultant obstetrician, Mr Marsh at 39 weeks, and he was shocked the test hadn't been done, and told my wife to do finger prick tests 6 times a day for the next few days. As a result of this, Gestational diabetes was finally diagnosed just 2 days before the due date, at which point, Mr Marsh told My wife she was coming in that day, to have her blood sugars kept down, and then baby would need to be delivered by C-Section.

Everyone involved, from Mr Marsh, to the diabetes doctor (Dr Gayle), to the dietitian, to the midwives on the AN ward, to the anaesthetist (funny guy), to the surgeon, to the midwives on the PN ward, were all absolutely lovely, put us at ease, answered our questions, and so on.

Shame about one of the other patients on the PN ward having her entire family making a load of noise all day and night on the ward, but can't blame Kings for that. That aside, it was a very positive.

Tommy's was great too, but there were one or two annoying and/or unfriendly staff members, so based on that, this experience wins.

[buggie]

How frustrating the GD wasn't picked up till so late - the GD team were fab to me last year

[Ruth_Baldock]

Otta, I LOVED my surgical team- I had two anaesthetists there because

of a spinal issue- I described one as "dreamy". Yes, to his face.

Honestly, I could NOT fault Kings at all during my pregnancy, c/s,and recovery, they've just been so, so amazing. I feel truely lucky to have Kings right on our doorstep (took Seb to a&e today and we were in and out and treated within 50 mins. Amazing.)

[anna_r]

Ruth_Baldock Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Otta, I LOVED my surgical team- I had two

> anaesthetists there because

> of a spinal issue- I described one as "dreamy".

> Yes, to his face.

For both of my synto inductions I had epidurals from different anaesthetists and by that stage both of them were 'dreamy' to me too :)

great to hear all the positive feedback for kings - so much nicer for mums-to-be to read than some of the scare stories on here 3 years ago.