Homebirth options with Kings

[SparkyUK]

I can't seem to find a list anywhere on King's website so I'm hoping someone here can help me out. I had my son at Kings 15 months ago. I'm in the *very* early stages of my second pregnancy and I'd really like a home birth this time around, but not sure how to go about it. I'm in the Kings catchment and would like to have them as my base hospital but what are my options for midwife teams. I've heard of Brierly, Oakwood and The Lanes. Southwark East and West teams, but can't find an exhaustive list even just contact details for any of them. I'm in the very western edge of the kch catchment (sorry, not at all East Dulwich but you all seem to know your hb stuff!) and am actually in Lambeth rather than Southwark, so not sure which of the groups are based on this side and will take me on. Any recommendations (or advice on what to avoid) would be greatly apprappreciated.

Also, as I said, it is very early stages. Is it ever too soon to sign up? I don't want to wait and miss out as many places seem to fill up fast

[The Nappy Lady]

I booked Brierley the day after I got my 'postitive' pregnancy result because I know how busy they get. If things don't work out you can always phone and cancel.

Don't know about catchments I'm afraid, but would suggest you phone and speak to the teams and take it from there, unless anyone on here knows more.

Molly

x

[TE44]

I was in same situation and looked up and phoned a private midwife in my area, from phone book, she told me the local

community midwifes, bit of a cheek on my behalf, I was with Brierly, they were brilliant, there number below, if your not in there catchment they may be able to tell you who are, happy pregnancy.

020 3299 6163

Think it best phoning morning, if no answer leave a message and they'll ring back

[sophiechristophy]

I'm registered at Kings, and am in Lambeth (live in west dulwich). I just told my mid-wife at my booking in appointment that I wanted a home birth, and they referred me to the Community Midwives, and I am registered with the West Team. So far, it was as simple as that.

Good luck with everything!

[underhillroad]

hello, i'm with Oakwood midwives right now and though they deliver at Kings (well you do obviously!) they are quite keen on homebirths, infact I get the impression that they'd rather you had a home birth. They are based out of Forest Hill Road Doctors Group practice. Oakwood midwifes number is 0208 299 5696 - if you call them you will get an answerphone but someone ought to come back to you in a few days after leaving the message. I don't know what their "catchment" policy is but worth a call to find out I suppose?

[Indiana]

I decided to try for a homebirth at 33 weeks and as the practice midwives would already be full I simply went along to Kings and met the East West team there - who are all brilliant and plenty of them

Good luck

[SparkyUK]

Last time around Kings told me that I was too far west for the community midwives, and that they wouldn't come out to meet me. (I'm really not that far west - SW2! Kings is closest hosiptal and by far the fastest driving!) A friend near by had booked Brierly, so I wonder if these caseload teams are more flexible? In the end, Kings set me up with the Tulse Hill midwives but I as I said, I ended up being induced in hospital anyway. Anway, not sure if they are even still active as I can't find any information about them. I think I may need to try the hospital Monday and see what they say about them.

Can someone let me know where Brierly and the lanes are based? And for them and Oakland, do you go to them for the antenatal checkups or do they come to you? (Either is fine for me, as long as I can get there with DS in tow!)

I imagine I will be calling around a bunch on Monday but thank you all for your head start on my research. :)

[TE44]

Brierly are based in Dulwich hospital, East Dulwich Grove, I just went round at 12wks, I found them there whenever I wanted them, and no panic from them if I couldnt make appointments.

[underhillroad]

oakwood come to you. Good luck with your search

[laurac]

I know the Brierley midwives take on anyone who falls under Kings and visit you at home for your booking in appointment and then again after 36 weeks and in between you go and see them at East Dulwich Hospital. I booked with them when I was 7 weeks pregnant in November and felt a bit silly with it being so early but they assured me they were already booking people at an even earlier stage in their pregnancy so I would definitely get in touch with them sooner rather than later. They are in the office between 9am and 10am I think - I left a message on the answering machine and someone called me straight back.

Laura

[Smiler]

The Lanes number is 07966 435945. Good luck with it all!

[bumpy]

I'm a 40 year old first time mum who had a home water birth with the Brierley, beautiful baby boy born on 1st January. I can't recommend them highly enough, both my husband and I were extremely happy with all the midwives there as they had an amazing balance of caring and professionalism. Cathy