Positive experiences at Whipps Cross?

Avoid whipps cross at all cost

Every mom I know who went there had traumatic birth experiences. And ended up in a emergency cesarean

I had my son Arthur at Whipps in 2017, they were great, we were in for like 3 days, they did kind of leave me to it once I was upstairs, but couldn’t complain. I had a miscarriage at 20 weeks with my 2nd son Henry last year and had to be induced to deliver at Whipps last July, they were fantastic, honestly the best. I have heard people have bad experiences, but my whole family have had at Whipps and so far nothing to complain about. Good luck!!

I had a miscarriage and they kept asking me when was I due and no attention to the fact I was having a traumatic experience

I just had a baby at North Middlesex three weeks ago (I live in Walthamstow) and I really recommend it. I wasn’t keen on Whipps which is why I went there. They have an amazing community team called the Rose team if you can get in with them I’d highly recommend. Excellent facilities and wonderful staff. So good I’m planning to write in to thank them. I had my first baby at UCLH and get North Mids was better. Good luck!

I’d definitely choose Homerton over Whipps.

3 boys all under 5 under whipps x can't fault them x 1 in lilac, 1 at home (not planned) transfer to whipps , home the same day and the last baby under whipps home birthing team x My friend had a complicated delivery and had to stay on the ward for a period of time and couldnt fault them X

I had baby at Whipps in November 2022 and my friend birthed there in March 2022. We both had a nice experience. I delivered on the ward and she had a water birth at lilac birth centre downstairs. I was induced at 42 weeks, there was a shortage of staff on the induction ward however it seems to be a problem at almost every hospital now. In delivery ward however there was plenty of staff and I can’t fault them. Post natal ward was great too (I had to stay for 2 nights).

The birthing centre is lovely, had my baby there 4 months ago. I heard it is shut a lot though because of lack of staff. The ward you’ll end up on if the birthing centre is closed is pretty grim ☹️

I gave birth on the labour ward in May. The staff were fantastic and the labour ward was really modern and well-equipped. I was in my own private room with an en-suite. However, after delivery I was then moved to the postnatal ward and the two were worlds apart. Very dated and unhygienic cleaning facilities and my partner wasn't allowed to stay overnight. For these reasons, If I were pregnant again, I'd go to Homerton.

I gave birth at Whipps on Christmas day 2021 and they were understaffed and frustrated. But honestly,they were very supportive and helpful and even let my partner stay with me when all visitors had to leave at 8pm. It was the worst birth experience ever but the staff were just amazing I would never forget how nice they all were😊

Had both mine at whipps, end of 2019 and the end of 2021, good experiences both times and would go there again

I am due to have my baby soon at Whipps Cross and so far I cannot fault the medical team who has been caring for me throughout the whole pregnancy. I cannot speak for the birthing experience yet, but so far so good.

This thread is scaring me about Whipps! I just looked into barkantine but they’ve closed now until..they couldn’t say.

I had a positive experience at Whipps. Slightly chaotic (went in to be induced, then didn’t need to be as things started moving along before they could induce me, laboured across four rooms in total), but very positive & looking back at my birth plan (which I made with a pinch of salt), I have birth how I hoped to! They were a short staffed on the mulberry ward and full on the labour ward (hence why they couldn’t induce me straight away), but in the end a consultant gave me my third sweep which helped things along! I hoped to be on the lilac ward but due to staffing it was closed, so once I was in full labour I was moved down to the labour ward. Had a nice little room with a shower. The midwife I had usually worked on lilac, so she dimmed the lights and put out some fake candles which was lovely. She saw in my notes I wanted to try a water birth, so she found a room on the labour ward with a bath/small pool i could use, and we moved in there! 1/2

2/2 time went on and I was ready to push but didn’t have the energy to get back in the pool after getting checked, so I pushed in that room for two hours. Couldn’t get comfy on the bean bags, and due to low staffing sometimes I was left In the room alone with my partner so I was nervous to push in case something happened while no one was there… but by then it was the morning change over and the lilac ward had opened again! We moved up there and I had the loveliest midwife and student who helped me push for one more hour before baby finally was born. As we gave birth around 9am, we were then able to stay in that room until 8pm before we left to go home. We were offered to stay a night but we didn’t want to move wards and felt happy to go home. A few people said ‘ohhh whipps isn’t the best’ when I was pregnant, but ultimately I had a positive experience and felt very looked after. I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any questions xx

I had a great experience at whipps! They took great care of me and my baby from arrival through to discharge. Even tho they were understaffed, midwives were all lovely and willing to help. I ended up having an emergency C-section and the surgeons and team in the theatre were amazing and made sure I was in the know and at ease :)

Hello, I’m in Walthamstow and I moved from Whipps Cross to North Mids as the birth centre at Whipps has been closed for a while (I gave birth 2 weeks ago). The care at North Mids was exceptional, can’t recommend highly enough. I planned a homebirth but ended up on labour ward and it was a positive experience. Depending on where you are in Walthamstow it can be quicker to get to North Mids. Happy for you to drop me a message if you have any questions x

@Alycia agreed! Had a baby in June emergency c section and traumatic not the birth or the experience I wanted especially as it was my first baby! I tell everyone I know avoid Whipps , and I’m sorry and disgusted to read how you was treated . xx

Thanks all. I managed to get registered at Homerton, which I’m pleased about! Appreciate the feedback on both places ☺️

We were in the lilac centre at Whipps Sept 21 but I wouldn’t go in there again, I’d choose the labour ward or another hospital (no epidural on midwife led ward too). Midwife and student were very kind, but at the sharp end she called for an extra set of hands and nobody came, I could tell she was visibly nervous and angry during pushing. Baby was fine in the end but she hit the emergency buzzer to get someone to come. It’s understaffed and in my opinion and in hindsight we shouldn’t have been allowed to use it if staff couldn’t support. Our poor midwife was there hours after her shift was over. I’d go again for convenience but if I could go elsewhere I would. Basically they’re doing the best they can in horrendous shoestring circumstances but it’s not reassuring to parents. Some staff have lost their ability to be compassionate too which is tough. Nobody means harm but if I was high risk next time I would try avoid. I hate saying this too, they need funding and investment asap

I moved last week from Whipps Cross hospital to UCLH. I had my last appointment on Thursday at Whipps, waited 3 hours for a blood test because of staff shortages and I nearly fainted from dehydration and no food. I was met with nothing but rudeness and hostility. So glad it was my last ever maternity appointment there! 🥳 My first appointment at UCLH was a dream! The midwife spent a hour hour with me discussing my history and my birth plans. She mentioned things Whipps never did! I’m so thrilled I moved. It’s further away to travel but you can’t take chances on your health or the health of your baby.

I had a baby at UCLH and Whips and had positive and comparable experience at both. Whips seemed to have a very good and committed staff (antenatal, labour, postnatal), so i can't fault them - I did feel taken care of. But their admin is lacking. Text reminders were fine but those that came via post were a joke - they kept sending me reminders for past appointments.

I have just moved my care from whipps to north mid due to terrible experiences of antenatal care, including being told I need an FMU scan via a text message appointment (no referral), and listening to friends' birth stories there. I therefore read cqc reports for whipps, north mid and Homerton and decided on north mid. Also super easy to get to from Walthamstow. Took is 6 minutes to get home (near billet roundabout) x