Kings or Tommys for giving birth - first baby

[jollybaby]

Sillwoman - just had a peek at the website you quoted and the rate of emergency sections at St Thomas was 19.6% vs 18% at Kings. I'd be surprised if that was a statistically significant difference, and so not really sure that you can say that you are 'less likely to have an unplanned section at Kings'. Having said that I can't comment on the ethos of either place.

I was put off having my daughter at St Thomas' as I didn't fancy travelling down the Walworth Road mid contraction.

On a more superficial note - food options are much, much better at St Thomas'!

[redmonkey]

I would like to point out that we are unbelievably lucky to be able to choose between these two world class teaching hospitals. The scans at King's are beyond compare. Most twelve week scans in the uk re just dating scans and maybe testing nuchal folds. At Kings' they check everything that is scientifically possible which is very reassuring.

I gave birth to my first baby at Tommy's which was fine. My second was a home birth with the Lanes who were amazing, then I transferred briefly to King's. I would say the wards are less spacious at kings but both places were stifflingly hot! Good luck whatever you do, but if you can get the Lanes I would keep them!

[ukdealguide]

Okay here is my honest opinion.

Don't go to Kings. Worst experience we've ever been through.

Wife was in labour, none of the birthing pools were working, no hot water, mixed ward with antenatal and postnatal patients (absolute circus), rude midwives, left my wife on a mattress on the floor for 3 hours without showing her how gas and air worked, paediatrician who had never worked on babies before (only kids 7 years and older). We had no confidence in the doctors and midwives there. When you ask for information from doctors and midwives you are guaranteed to get different conflicting responses all the time.

Some midwives bad mouthing patients as "annoying attention seekers"

Terrible and horrendous care. I'm sure the experience is different for everyone but knowing what I know now, is rather go to St Thomas'.

On the flip side of the coin, Lanes midwives are incredible, amazing and highly recommended but I would avoid Kings if possible.

[LouiseOd]

I would go for the lanes too. It's great having the one to one midwifery, especially after the birth. They had said that I could ring or text whenever I needed to, and for the first few weeks, knowing that with a first baby, was invaluable.

I also ended up staying in kings for longer than I anticipated after the birth,and although I found the postnatal ward not fantastic, it was much easier for my husband to pop back and forth.

[CocoC]

Hello

Thanks so much to everyone for replying. I found out earlier this week that I've got caseload care with the Lanes midwives which I'm really excited about, and actually the more I research/ think about it the more I feel the original title of this thread may be redundant as if there are no complications, I would love to have the baby at home. Obviously this may not end up being an option for me, in which case it's Kings for me as I don't want to lose my place with the Lanes.

Thanks all x

[tamara]

I had a baby at Kings. Great experience:)