Hospital Advice - Where should I refer?

I live in Hatfield and changed my choice from Lister to Barnet just weeks before my birth as I had heard Lister wasnt very good and saw their CQC rating was low for maternity.
At baby groups, every mum I meet who used Lister didht have a good experience.
I don't know anything about Watford hosp.

I’ve heard nothing but good things about Barnet and that’s where I’d go if I had another baby

Have you considered planning for a home birth?

I don't have personal experience to share, but I seem to come across how most women with bad experiences then decide to birth at home with a community midwife or just free birth to protect their safety.

The common factor with all the women I know that had a traumatic birth was delivering at hospital or birth centers. They all were scared for unnecessary reasons (baby too big, too small, low liquid, overdue...) and most induced at the end, then that sadly led to many other interventions.
Worst case, if there are any complications during labour, going to the hospital to get help is always an option.

Most of your labour will be at home anyway, and the stats seem to point how home births are safer than hospitals. I suppose you're never feeling safer and most comfortable than at home!

First of all, congratulations! My sister went to Lister both times, and while both births were quite traumatic for her I’ve not heard bad things about the hospital at all. I referred there for my pregnancy too, and every appointment I go to I’m treated amazingly. Having worked in a care facility myself, CQC rating doesn’t always mean anything especially when it comes to hospitals. Everybody’s experience is different, and you can switch hospitals at any time if one makes you feel worse than you should. Good luck!

I had mine in Watford last September. The staff are really lovely. I had an emergency c section. I was very well taken care of.

I had babies at Watford in Feb 2022 and Feb 2024 and both were good experiences in terms of the staff.
To be honest, I think it’s a bit luck of the draw. When I was in this year, Luton was directing people to Watford as they were at capacity, there will have been other occasions where it was the opposite.

The good thing about Watford is you have your midwife appointments at your local GP. From what I understand, the other hospitals you need to travel for the appointments and for me that wasn’t practical.

Barnet is the one I’ve heard the best things about, and mixed reviews on Watford, L&D and Lister.

Watford midwife led unit is lovely but the delivery suite, if you’re higher risk is very clinical. Plus, the often close the midwife led unit if they’re understaffed.
I hear lister has a birthing pool on the delivery suite, plus the whole building is newer and not as tatty as Watford, if that’s important to you.

I had my first baby at the Lister in December and the team there were fabulous. The midwives couldn’t do enough for you, the facilities were fairly good (nothing to compare it to but they seemed ok to me!), and there is a birthing pool available on Consultant Led Unit which Watford doesn’t have. Post-natal ward was a bit hectic I guess it’s always going bed but I will say someone came to me very quickly every time I pressed the buzzer (I needed some help after complications) and never seemed like I was bothering them). I understand they upgraded a lot of facilities and staffing following the CQC report and everyone was really hot on answering my questions.
A tip - if if you do go to the Lister, the parking is expensive just like every hospital so unless you’re likely to be in and out, your other half might benefit from buying a week pass even if you don’t stay in for a week because the hours by your side rack up the cost!!
I’d go back to the Lister if I have another baby ☺️

I’m due in October and my friend is a midwife, she said hands down Barnet for birth instead of Watford x

I’m registered at Watford but considering a home birth as worried about there being no birth pools available on the day with there only being 2. Does anyone know how many pools they have at Barnet? x