"Worst experience of my life"

Had a horrific experience here. Every single appointment we had for prenatal care was severely delayed and staff were very rude when explanations were asked for as to why this was. The attitude seemed to be 'be grateful you're here''. You can never get hold of anyone by phone for appointments, questions etc including antenatal classes which I ended up not being able to attend as they never contacted me back regarding available appointments.

Waters broke but was sent home, returned when they told me to and as a result contracted an infection that required my baby and I to be in hospital all week. Had to have an emergency c-section despite the hospital knowing we had put things in place to try and reduce the risk of this (was scheduled to be induced early); hospital dragged their feet with the induction, once induction was established it took 5 hours to successfully administer an epidural and within minutes was informed the baby and I were both distressed and would need an emergency c section.

The after care was an absolute joke. Some midwives were downright rude but the majority were just overworked. When I asked for help I was informed that there is just one midwife and maternity support worker per 8 women and I was being unrealistic. I'd been transferred from a high dependency unit after being told they needed the bed space and so it is probably the case I needed to be on that ward but they needed space for a lady coming out of theatre.

I was sent home finally...only to be sent back the next day by a community midwife because my baby was badly jaundiced and needed blood tests (despite 3 neonatal checks performed by special baby doctors before I was discharged that didn't pick this up). When I got to the hospital for blood tests I was asked to breastfeed/express for my baby in a cramped room being used by parents of neonatal unit babies for dining in...felt extremely uncomfortable and exposed at a time when I was already weak and nervous.

This was my first child and although I definitely have no plans for any more, if I were to have another baby I would absolutely not choose St Thomas'.