Sorry for the lack of posting everyone, it’s been a CRAZY week or so.
After three days of labor, one emergency c-section, and another three days in the NICU, we finally have a little baby boy home with us.
Three-cheers for Mini-American Boy!
You avid readers may remember that I had Mini-AG at The Portland Hospital, but due, mainly to location, I decided to switch to The Kensington Wing at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for our second baby. If you’ve had a baby, or thought of having a baby here in London, and spoken to any AG’s you’ve probably heard of the amazing group of private consultants there, including my doctor, Mark Johnson. If you haven’t you should definitely consider booking him if and when you decide you want to have a babe. That said, any of the consultants (and with amount of time I spent in hospital, I literally met most of them) in his group are fab.
Now, on to the comparisons (and I totally recognize that in the grand scheme of having a baby, some of these are not important, but, I thought you’d like to know)…
Neonatal Intensive Care Units:
I feel so lucky that it was my second baby that needed a little extra cooking time via incubator, and not my first, because The Portland does not have the on-site facilities that Chelsea and Westminster does. Mini-AB was super well looked after there, and the NICU is right next door to The Kensington Wing, so I could shuffle down the hall to see him at any time, day or night.
Midwives:
Lovely at The Portland, but beyond amazing at The Kensington Wing. I really felt taken care of from day one. Because Mini-AB was a premature, they all really worked with me with trying to feed him and get him healthy enough to be sent home with me.
Passes:
Husbands and family get a pass to let them come straight up to your room at The Portland. At The Kensington Wing you have to buzz at two separate doors and wait to be let in. It’s not a huge deal, but something my husband mentioned. Oh, men!
Extra Beds:
They bring in beds for the Hubbies at The Portland. In The Kensington Wing they sleep on a mattress on the floor. Both not super comfortable. Buck up Husbands, WE just had the baby.
Ask for a room facing the street, much more natural light, a lot cooler, and actually, much more quiet than the ones facing the inside of the hospital.
Congrats! I am an AG as well and had my twins at the Portland 4 years ago. They were amazing there and the food was excellent! We didn't need the NICU but stayed there for 8 days- it was literally my home away from home. I still have a private cons in London, Jeannie Yoon, and highly highly recommend her too!!
Great post, full of helpful info! I too used Mark Johnson and loved him. They brought a full bed in for my hubby a few years ago, so will have to inquire about that this time around. Congrats on your Mini-AB!!
First of all, congratulations on your little baby boy! That is fantastic news and I hope you are all well!
Also thanks so much for sharing your experience – I've been considering the Kensington Wing (for the same reason as you) and it is very helpful to hear some more details. Thanks for finding the time to post!
Congratulations on the birth of your sweet baby boy!! So glad to see you are both home & doing well after such a dramatic entrance!
Congrats! I am an AG as well and had my twins at the Portland 4 years ago. They were amazing there and the food was excellent! We didn't need the NICU but stayed there for 8 days- it was literally my home away from home. I still have a private cons in London, Jeannie Yoon, and highly highly recommend her too!!
Great post, full of helpful info! I too used Mark Johnson and loved him. They brought a full bed in for my hubby a few years ago, so will have to inquire about that this time around. Congrats on your Mini-AB!!
First of all, congratulations on your little baby boy! That is fantastic news and I hope you are all well!
Also thanks so much for sharing your experience – I've been considering the Kensington Wing (for the same reason as you) and it is very helpful to hear some more details. Thanks for finding the time to post!