"We have our first son at Queen Mary..."

What I liked

We have our first son at Queen Mary Maternity (West Middlesex University Hospital). All the midwives in the team (A) which we were assigned to have been great. Very understanding, very warm in their approach and very respectful of what we chose for our birth. They dedicated enough time to listen to our worries, and provided as much information as possible to help us. During the labour, they were also very efficient and assisted in a friendly and reassuring way. My husband was very happy with their help during and after the labour. The post-natal care at home was similarly impressive.

What could be improved

The post-natal care at hospital could be more organised and centralised. During our stay in the post-natal ward, there were too many people coming and asking for different things disturbing the baby and making it very difficult to rest for me and the baby. Starting with the pediatrician (who was the least helpful and too anxious to get her job done, without any patience towards the baby or the mother), and following with the midwife from the breasfeeding course to get feedback (completely unnecesary at that point), people from Bounty to distribute freebies and trying to sell pictures (equally unnecesary), the hearing tester, and different midwives checking different things post-labour. On the other hand, the nursing and cleaning staff were friendly and efficient.

Anything else?

During the pregnancy we switched from Ealing Hospital to West Middlesex, and had an amnioscentesis at Queen Charlotte's. Although satisfied with the level of care at all establsihments, we were particularly pleased with the service at West Mid, and found the surroundings friendlier, more relaxing and less institutionalised.