Postnatal wards

I had an amazing experience at St.Mary's Hospital, London. Initially was admitted to the birth centre, but ended up delivering my baby at a labour ward. The midwives are extremely professional and helpful. After the delivery they brought me back to the birth centre where I had my own room (double bed, shower and baby crib) to stay overnight. I was discharged from the hospital the next day at around 9 pm as the baby was not giving any wet nappies and the doctors wanted to make sure everything was OK.

Hi I gave birth at St Thomas. I had the best experience. I went in at midnight. I eventually was given a room with bathroom overnight. I diluted by morning. I was taken to another room where my partner could join me. After delivery I was also in a room with its own bathroom where we could both shower.

So I had my baby last year at St Thomas in Westminster and I had my baby at 24wks , I stayed in my own room for 3days before I was discharged as my baby was in nicu I think they put me in a side room just so I wasn't triggered seeing and hearing other babies etc as with the postnatal wards , obviously everyone was with their babies etc but I think they had Bays with 4 maybe 6beds per room. Other than that marvellous hospital during and after birth etc , my son was there for 2 months before he was fit and well to be transferred local. He's now just turned 1💜

Royal free I was on a normal postnatal ward for both my births. Private rooms are available to buy in some hospitals, however it doesn’t guarantee you will get one, it will depend on availability on the day you give birth, the same as if you wanted a water birth in the hospital.

Homerton has a shared postnatal ward. But there are a few private rooms available, they give them to those with medical need. But if one is free I think you can pay about £100 per night to rent it.

Two brilliant birth experiences at St Thomas’, London… big private room overlooking the Houses of Parliament both times. Stayed in one night with both babies, something special about watching your newborn baby in the crib with the lights of Westminster behind ❤️

I had my baby in June 2022 at Royal London Hospital. We only stayed one night and begged to be discharged the next day. I think there were about 6 couples with newborn babies in our ward and the whole night was filled with extremely loud snoring, talking and eating. We did request for a room but there wasn’t anything available.

@Jenna was it the home from home birth center at st Thomas?

@Anastasia I heard that birth centers have private rooms

@RéKa lucky mama lol. I didn’t have that luxury.

@Elle (i can't see waves) I’m so glad to hear that he is doing well❤️

@Kayla 100 a night? Some posh hotel fee… 😂

@Nilufa nightmare😭

As far as I’m aware so far from the many hospitals my hospital has contacted to try and guarantee me a private room due to additional needs, no where in London so far has been able to… they’re still currently contacting hospitals. The only one so far, which isn’t in London is Kingston hospital (Surrey) that can guarantee separate rooms. Yes postnatal wards do have some private rooms, but they cannot guarantee they will be able to give you one on the day you arrive as they may already be occupied by someone. This is the problem I am currently facing as I require my own room postnatal wise if I am to go into the labour ward. Most if not all birthing centres have their own rooms and that’s where you’ll stay for the entire duration of your visit if there’s no complications with you or baby. For further context my hospital has contacted all of the ones mentioned above and they’ve all said the same thing 🙈

@Andriana thanks so much for the insight. I hope you find one that can accommodate you.🤍

Uclh have a private part of the ward with 5 rooms and private delivery suite but have to book private from the start, or can do nhs private delivery room but you'd be separated by curtains postnatally

@Ellie UCLH don’t offer the option to book private rooms unless you’re paying privately which is a complete separate section to the NHS patients and starts from £9,000. They also only have 2 private rooms in the postnatal ward.. I think the other ones you’re referring to is within the birthing centre which is separate to the labour ward/ postnatal ward/ where patients who don’t opt for monitored pain relief like epidurals etc go. It’s one of the hospitals I’ve had a tour in and discussions with surrounding my care so I was shown exactly what they offer recently. Of course during delivery all patients have their own rooms both in labour ward and birthing centre.. but I think the lady posting was querying the wards after if you have to stay overnight from labour ward specifically

I had a very negative experience at St Thomas'. Had to share my room with 2 more families, the triage was a disaster and baby and I almost died during birth. Try St Marys

@Paty thank you for sharing your experience. I had my first at st Thomas and I had a horrible experience also. So I’m looking for options this time..

At Queen Charlotte’s, I was initially in a ward with 5 other women and it wasn’t great. I requested a private room and was really lucky that one became available within hours of my asking.

Just wanted to update that my current hospital have now figured out adjustments for me and are able to accommodate a guaranteed side room for me postnatal wise. Very pleased with the news as it has honestly been causing extreme anxiety to the point of having panic attacks and barely sleeping at night🙈. Thank you for the good wishes I think they came in handy haha 🤍

@Andriana I’m so glad to hear that. Wishing you a safe delivery lovely. Thank you for the update xx