Birth Doula Blog

This Is What It Actually Looks Like to Have Me as Your Doula

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:06:30 GMT

It is very natural to have questions about what a doula actually does. It can still feel like quite a niche thing.

I love it most when people enquire with me because they’ve heard of others having a good experience with a doula. But there are many different paths to reaching out, and wherever you find yourself, I want this post to give you a sense of what it actually feels like to have that support there.

I work as a birth and postnatal doula in South West London, and this is what it actually looks like to have me alongside you through your pregnancy, your birth, and those first days afterwards.

What does a doula actually do?

A doula supports you through pregnancy, labour and the early days after birth, offering continuity, information and experienced support throughout.

In lots of ways, having a doula is a very old idea. It’s how women have always given birth — around other women who have had babies, who understand birth, and who know how to be there without making it something clinical or managed. Our modern maternity system has really lost sight of this, and that is one of the major reasons birth has become so medicalised. At its heart, birth is a physiological event, not a medical one.

One of the most important things a doula brings is that sense of confidence — that birth is something humans do, and have been doing for a very long time. We offer consistent support in a system where you might otherwise be seeing different people, hearing different opinions, and trying to piece it all together yourself.

If you’re looking for a birth doula in London and want this kind of support, you can find more about my birth doula services here.

During pregnancy

You can use me as much or as little as you want.

For some people that looks like lots of conversations, messages and questions as things come up. For others it’s quieter, and that’s completely fine too. You set the pace. I’m very available and quick to respond, so you’re not left sitting with questions.

What I notice with most of the families who choose to work with me is that they don’t just want to go along with everything automatically. They’re aware that maternity care is quite medicalised now, and they want to feel more in control of what’s happening. That doesn’t mean saying no to everything. It just means understanding your options properly. I have a health science background, so I’m very comfortable talking through evidence, risks and benefits where that information exists. But a lot of pregnancy and birth involves nuance. There is often no clear yes or no answer.

Birth also asks something more of us than just facts. At its heart, it is a deeply intuitive process. As quite a type-A, modern, slightly anxiety-driven woman, I’ve found that one of the biggest challenges of motherhood — but also one of the greatest gifts — is learning to trust that instinct. Fourteen years in, I know my gut is my superpower when it comes to my children, and I really enjoy helping you tap into that too.

“She helped us feel prepared, informed, and confident about the whole process.”
— SH

Getting ready for birth

When I come and spend time with you antenatally, we go into quite a lot of detail about what birth actually looks like.

If you’re hoping for a physiological birth, we’ll talk about how labour might unfold, how it can feel, what’s normal but intense, and what it might look like from the outside — because that can be quite different to what people expect.

We would have no idea what to expect otherwise, would we? We don’t live in communities anymore where we see birth or hear these stories in a natural, everyday way. I love the work of people li ke Rachel Reed and Natalie Meddings , wh o have helped put words to the great mystery that is labour and birth. I often say I did things the wrong way around — I had my babies physiologically, and only afterwards learned what my body had actually been doing from these wise women, among others.

By the end of that time together, I want us to feel really clear on your birth preferences. That does include thinking about what you might want if things change — not because we expect them to, but because it’s much easier to make decisions when you’ve already thought things through.

A lot of birth preparation is about getting to a point where you understand enough that you can then let go and trust the process.

When labour starts

Once I’m on call, you are my top priority. That means I’m available whenever things begin, even if that means dropping plans or stepping away from normal life. This is where a big part of the doula commitment lies.

With a first baby especially, there’s often quite a long period at the beginning where things are happening, but you’re not yet in established labour. This is also the stage where there isn’t really any support from the NHS. It’s why so many people end up going into hospital, being sent home, and feeling a bit unsettled by that. So we’ll be in close contact at this stage. You can expect a good pep talk as the night comes to help fortify you both.

You might be messaging, calling, checking in about what you’re feeling. Often you’re looking for reassurance — that what’s happening is normal, that you’re on the right track, that you’re not missing something.

I often say that a lot of labour is about stringing yourself out and just keeping going. If you can do that, a baby will eventually come out of your vagina!

Sometimes I say that a lot of my work on the day is done before I even arrive, and I do think that’s true. Then when you feel ready for me to come and be with you, I will. Usually we’ll spend some time at home first. That familiar environment can really help labour deepen before you go into hospital, and we know that going in later is often linked with fewer interventions. But it is always your choice.

“Without her expertise I would have arrived at the hospital far too early and, instead, was able to labour at home, making myself as comfortable as possible.”
— EL

During labour

When I’m with you during labour, I’m responding to what’s happening moment by moment.

Sometimes I’m in the background — making sure you’ve had a drink, noticing small things that might help, keeping the space calm and steady. Sometimes I’m more hands-on — supporting you physically, helping you move, offering touch or comfort, or showing your partner how to do this so they feel confident.

And sometimes there are decisions to be made. When they do come up, I help you slow things down enough to understand what’s being offered, what your options are, and how that fits with what you wanted.

The more preparation we’ve done beforehand, the less those moments tend to feel rushed or overwhelming.

Your birth partner

Your partner is a huge part of the birth experience, and often they feel a lot of pressure. Dare I say it — if your partner is male, birth is such a feminine process that it can feel quite unfamiliar territory.

As labour deepens, you’ll often go somewhere quite inward. You’re not really engaging with the room in the same way — you’re focused on what your body is doing. Your partner, though, is right there in it. Hearing everything, watching everything, trying to work out what’s going on and how best to support you. Having someone alongside them who understands birth can make a big difference. Someone who can quietly reassure them, explain what’s happening, and help them feel confident in what they’re doing. It’s really important to me — and I think to you as a family — that you come through this experience feeling strong together.

“She also gave my husband the strength and space he needed to take care of his own needs and be the best version of himself for me through it all.”
— OJ

After your baby is born

I stay with you until your baby is here, and if you’re planning to breastfeed, usually until that first feed is underway.

Those moments after birth can sometimes feel quite busy within the NHS, and it’s a priority for me that they feel steady and calm for you and your baby.

Then there’s usually a natural moment where things feel settled, and it feels right for me to leave you together as a new family.

Early postnatal time

We stay in touch after the birth. And in many ways, this is where I see the biggest difference.

Those early days can feel intense — physically, emotionally, just the adjustment of it all. Having someone you already know, who understands your birth and your baby, and who can offer calm, steady support, can make that feel much more manageable.

Compared to my own experiences, it’s one of the things I value most about this work — seeing families settle into life together feeling supported and confident, rather than overwhelmed.

What people often say

Women sometimes say to me that they couldn’t have done it without me. But that’s not really how I want you to feel.

I want you to look back and know that you did it — in your way, on your terms — and feel proud of that forever.

I often describe having a doula as being a bit like a Sherpa. You’re the one climbing the mountain, but it helps to have someone there who knows the way and can carry some of the load.

“Getting Lisa on board was the very best decision we made as we embarked on our journey to have our first baby.”
— MG

If you’re looking for this kind of support

I support families across Wimbledon, Merton, Kingston and South West London.

If you’re looking for a doula in London and this feels like the kind of support you want, you can find out more about working with me here.

Behind the Scenes of a Newborn Photoshoot

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 16:46:13 GMT

Welcome to this guest blog from the fabulous S hal my talented friend and fellow South West London female business owner! Here is what she has to say...

Capturing the first precious moments of a newborn’s life is a unique and rewarding experience. As a Newborn photographer based near Wimbledon, I get to create a safe and comfortable environment where both the baby and parents can feel at ease, resulting in beautiful, timeless images.

Here’s a glimpse behind the scenes of a newborn photoshoot, detailing the preparation, process, and care that go into each session.

A Newborn Photoshoot in my Natural Light Studio, near Wimbledon

Setting the Stage
The Newborn Photoshoot
Post-Production

Setting the Stage

Communication with Parents

The journey begins well before the actual newborn photoshoot. I start by having an in-depth consultation with the parents, sending over guides and information to assist in preparing for the shoot.

I can also have a phone conversation if more questions arise!

I also provide a detailed client guide that outlines what to expect, what to bring, and how to prepare their newborn for the session!

Studio Setup

Creating a warm and welcoming newborn photo studio environment is crucial. At my professional natural light studio, the temperature is regulated and is heated to a comfortable level, as newborns are more sensitive to the cold.

Soft natural light is used, avoiding harsh flashes that could startle the baby.

All props, blankets, and outfits are prepped and sanitised, ready for use and are especially purchased for baby photography.

Safety First

Safety is my top priority during a family photoshoot. I always have a spotter and never leave the baby unattended (often one of the parents) close by to ensure the baby’s safety during poses.

I also make sure that all props and equipment are secure and that the baby is never placed in any unsafe positions.

With my professional newborn training, correctly and safely posing babies was part of the course.

The Newborn Photoshoot

Patience and Timing

Newborns have their own schedules, and it's important to be patient and flexible. The best time for a photoshoot is typically within the first two weeks of life when the baby is sleepier and easier to pose.

However, every baby is different, and I adjust the session according to their needs, allowing for feeding and soothing breaks as necessary.

Posing and Comfort

I start with simple poses, gently transitioning the baby into various positions. The key is to handle the baby with care, ensuring they are comfortable and secure at all times.

I also use soft, plush blankets and gentle props to enhance the aesthetic without compromising the baby’s comfort during a family photoshoot.

Capturing Details

Beyond the classic poses, I focus on capturing the tiny details that make each newborn unique. Close-up shots of tiny toes, delicate fingers, and wispy hair create a beautiful and intimate portrait of the newborn's first days.

These details are cherished memories for the parents and add depth to the photo gallery.

Parent and Sibling Involvement

Including parents and siblings in the family photoshoot adds an extra layer of emotion and connection. I guide them on how to hold and pose with the baby, capturing candid moments of love!

These family portraits are often the most treasured images from the session.

Post-Production

Selecting the Best Shots

After the session, I carefully review and select the best images, ensuring a variety of poses and expressions. Each selected photo undergoes meticulous editing to enhance colours, remove any distractions, and highlight the newborn’s natural beauty. To view an example gallery of images for one of my newborn photoshoots, click here!

Editing with Care

Editing newborn photos requires a delicate touch. I focus on maintaining the baby’s natural skin tones and textures while smoothing out any temporary blemishes or redness. The goal is to create timeless images that are both realistic and visually appealing.

Presentation and Delivery

Once the editing is complete, I present the final gallery to the parents, either through an online viewing platform or an in-person reveal session. This is a special moment where parents get to see their beautiful newborn captured in a series of stunning images. I also offer a range of high-quality products, from prints and albums to wall art, allowing families to cherish and display their photos for years to come.

Book Your Newborn Photography

Behind the scenes of a newborn photoshoot is a mix of preparation, patience, and passion! As a newborn photographer, my goal is to create a safe and comfortable environment where both the newborn and their family can relax and enjoy the experience.

The journey from preparation to final delivery is so important to me. Get in touch and let’s book your newborn photos.

Best Birth Centres in South West London

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 10:29:40 GMT

Hoping for a water birth in a birth centre? Kingston, St. George's, Chelsea & Westminster, St Thomas’ and St. Helier all have them – but what do you need to know?

First things first… how to access a birth centre!

When I chat to potential doula clients in discovery calls, I always ask what kind of birth they’re hoping to have. Probably 75% of the time, the answer is “a water birth on a birth centre.” So I thought it would be helpful to share what I tell them: first about how to maximise your chances of a water birth in a birth centre, and then some inside intel on the different birth centres near you in South West London.

How to Access a Birth Centre for Your Water Birth

Most parents I speak to during pregnancy are worried about whether a pool will be available when they arrive at the birth centre, but I always explain that it’s really more important to focus your energies on getting onto the birth centre in the first place! Most hospitals don’t discuss birth choices with you until 36 weeks, but it’s good to be preparing and working out your options earlier on in pregnancy so you can advocate for what you want at this appointment. You can sometimes watch virtual tours of the local South West London birth centres online, or even better, go and visit on an in-person tour (offered routinely at St George’s and St Helier), or ask to be shown around.

If your pregnancy is “low risk,” then giving birth on the birth centre would be supported by your hospital. However, it’s not unusual for “risk factors” to be identified in your pregnancy. In my experience, many of these come up near the end of pregnancy, not giving you much time to consider them. It would be impossible to go through all scenarios now, which is where the support of a good doula can help – so you don’t feel like you always need to be one step ahead! But there are many sources of quality information out there for you to research yourself. I would really recommend the work of Dr. Rachel Reed , Sara Wickham , AIMS , and the podcast The Great Birth Rebellion .

Local Birth Centre and Water Birth Statistics

Using data from the National Maternity Dashboard and individual stats from each birth centre, here’s what you can find:

St Helier (Feb 2025) : 14% of all babies born on the birth centre, 6% of all births were water births on the birth centre
Kingston (Dec 2024) : 15% of all babies born on the birth centre, 7% of all births were water births on the birth centre
St George’s (Jan 2025) : 4% of all babies born on the birth centre, 0.8% of all births water births on the birth centre
Chelsea & Westminster (Dec 2024) : 14% of all babies born on the birth centre, no water birth figures available

We can also see from the statistics that you are more likely to use a birth centre for a second or subsequent birth rather than for your first (about 30–40% of mums giving birth on the birth centre are first-time parents).

Therefore, the hospital published statistics suggest that around 15% of women birth on the birth centre, and around half in water. I always make it clear that I say this to encourage, rather than discourage: this knowledge is power. It makes it clear that to aim for the birth you want, you can’t just go with the flow of NHS maternity care, because the flow is taking you in a different direction – onto the labour ward (NB: some labour wards also have pools, but there are no published statistics on how often women have water births on labour ward).

Understanding Water Birth Use in Birth Centres

In terms of having a water birth specifically, we can see from the statistics above that less than 50% of women using a birth centre actually give birth to their baby in the water (although many still use the pool for pain relief). In some cases, this is due to maternal preference, or simply because there wasn’t time to fill the pool. Or you may be told that you can use the birth centre but not the birth pool; in these cases, you would need to look into the evidence for this recommendation during your pregnancy.

There are some reasons why you may be asked to get out of the pool during labour, and this NHS document has a helpful list:

To use the toilet
For additional pain relief
If there is any evidence of meconium staining
If there is difficulty in hearing your baby’s heart rate or any irregularity in the baby’s heart rate
For internal vaginal examinations
If your blood pressure, pulse or temperature becomes abnormal
If your labour does not progress as expected
In order to deliver the placenta

These are all topics you would need to research and decide what you think about (remember, in birth, all care and recommendations are offers, not orders!). It’s best to do this in advance of your labour for the greatest chance of making an informed decision at the time.

Birth Centre Access When You’re “Out of Guidance”

Each birth centre in South West London has its own policies on who meets the criteria to use them. If you meet the criteria, you wouldn’t usually face any barriers to going to the birth centre in labour – although it still may not be proactively offered, so make sure you know what’s available so your birth partner can ask for what you want at the time. You may be asked or may choose to transfer to the labour ward during your labour, and the points listed above about reasons to get out of the pool are also the kinds of things you would want to know about when making a decision on this.

If you don’t meet the criteria, you may be told that you’re not allowed to birth on a birth centre. However, the reality is much more nuanced than that. This article from BirthRights gives an amazing explanation, but the simple answer is that we have a right to choose where we give birth. The only reason you can be refused access to a birth centre is if there is a good evidence-based reason that you or your baby cannot be provided safe care there.

One major reason for being discouraged from using a birth centre is a recommendation for continuous fetal monitoring (CTG) in labour. However, there is very little evidence that this improves outcomes for babies, and only in very specific circumstances: I recommend reading some of the amazing work from Dr. Kirsten Small on this topic. Therefore, if you are comfortable with declining the offer of continuous monitoring in labour, this alone would not be an evidence-based reason to deny you access to a birth centre.

If you want to birth on a birth centre near you when you don’t meet the criteria, ask to speak to a consultant midwife to make an “out of guidance” birth plan to use the birth centre. This must be done before you go into labour to ensure a smooth and well-supported journey for you and your baby when you arrive at the hospital.

Reviews of Local Birth Centres in South West London

It’s finally time to have a chat about the ins and outs of our local birth centres! Here are some of my observations after supporting women as a doula at all our local birth centres:

Location of the birth centre relative to the labour ward

Kingston, St. George’s, Chelsea & Westminster, St Thomas’ and St. Helier all have alongside birth centres, meaning they’re in the same hospital building as the labour ward. This gives you easy access to obstetric care if you need or want it during your labour. At Kingston, St. Helier and St Thomas's, the birth centres are literally adjacent to the labour ward; at Chelsea and Westminster they’re on the same floor but across the corridor, and at St. George's they’re two floors apart. I wouldn’t say any of these factors has a major impact if you decide to transfer in labour.

Staffing levels

Most of our local South West London hospitals are able to reliably staff their birth centres, although unfortunately in the past few months (March 2026 update), I have known all the local births centres to be closed on atleast one occassion, and multiple times in the case of Chelsea and Westminster. The situation is often not that the birth centre is physically full, but that the hospital does not have experienced midwives to allocate there so they prioritise labour ward staffing. Hopefully as Chelsea & Westminster has started to limit postcodes it will take referrals from since October 2025, this may improve. It’s always sensible to ring in early labour, so you know what availability is like and in some cases can make a decision about your timing of going in. It is also sensible to have a plan for birthing on the labour ward if the birth centre is closed or at capacity, and making sure your birth partner can advocate for the type of care you wish to receive there.

On reliable staffing, unfortunately St. George's have longstanding issues with staffing the birth centre. When I asked in February 2026 it had been open 5 days out of 7 the previous week. This is an improvement on recent years, and I know the staff are very motivated to raise the profile and availability of the birth centre (which is at risk of being closed altogether). They can sometimes open the birth centre for a woman who comes in labour and wants to use it – so this is always worth asking - again, I’d ask on the phone in early labour to give them time to prepare.

Chelsea & Westminster, St. Helier and Kingston all have dedicated teams of midwives who have chosen to work on the birth centre and are therefore motivated to support women to have low-intervention births there. Others may allocate staff depending on availability at the time.

Triage

When you arrive at the hospital in labour, you’ll first be assessed by a midwife to see whether they recommend you stay at the hospital or go back home and labour a bit longer. Now this is a whole topic in itself, but when I’m supporting families who want to access a birth centre as a birth doula, I much prefer if we’re able to be “triaged” on the birth centre itself, rather than go to general triage and then be allocated to the birth centre. This is because the facilities are usually nicer (a single room rather than a bed on a bay), and the midwives will be more used to choices on your birth plan that you may have made to support physiological birth – for example, no routine vaginal examinations or keeping the lighting low and external disturbances to a minimum. They also don’t offer a routine CTG, which means you have to be restricted to the bed and unable to move around freely. As above, an admission CTG isn’t evidence-based to improve outcomes.

This element is a little hard to plan because maternity units sometimes offer a different route to triage depending on their capacity at the time, but clients booked with Chelsea and Westminster can ring the birth centre directly, if it is open, at any time and be triaged with the team there, and also at St. Helier. The other hospitals I’ve had different experiences with depending on the day – but it’s always worth asking on the phone to be directed straight to the birth centre and your reasons for preferring to do this.

Birth pool availability

Although this is a common fear of parents, it usually isn’t a problem to access a birth pool once you’re on the birth centre. Sometimes if you go in a little earlier but decide to stay in, you may be encouraged to remain in a smaller room without a pool – but as long as you’re managing well, this tends to be completely fine. I always recommend clients wait until the last moment to access the “next” coping strategy, so in many ways, getting in the pool for the pushing stage is ideal. But it’s not set in stone at all.

Kingston, St. George’s, Chelsea & Westminster, St Thomas’ and St. Helier all have birth pools available. The only notable difference is St Thomas’ don’t have them in the main birthing rooms, but in a separate room (a small internal room with no windows) within the birth centre. So you move rooms to use the birth pool. I genuinely can’t decide what I think about this – in a sense, it’s unsettling, but in another, mammals love to give birth in small, cosy, private spaces!

Postnatal care

A lovely benefit of giving birth on a birth centre is that they’ll do their best to keep you there postnatally, which means you’ll get your own room. There’s generally a much higher staff ratio of midwives to families, and so more support with breastfeeding and postnatal care. This is never guaranteed, as it depends on who they’re supporting in labour at the time. There isn’t really any difference between the South West London birth centres on this, as all have postnatal rooms and would try to accommodate you if they can. And you can always ask what’s possible!

Birthing out of guidance

As mentioned above, sometimes you’ll need an out-of-guidance plan to access a birth centre. These are possible to arrange at any birth centre, but it will involve talking to the right person to support you. As a doula, I have lots of experience in supporting clients to do this, and if you’d like information about helpful contacts or ways to go about this at the hospital you end up choosing, just let me know. Interestingly, the local birth centres have different criteria on automatic eligibility (for example, some “accept” women with gestational diabetes on metformin, and others don’t). I can also help you navigate this and let you know what some of the local policies are. Feel free to contact me here or fill in the form at the bottom of the page.

Next Steps and Support

I hope there’s plenty of information here to help you understand how to maximise your chances of a birth on a birth centre near you in South West London! Of course, homebirth is also an option…

Do contact me on the form below or check out my birth doula services here.

Where to Give Birth in South West London

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 14:36:36 GMT

A guide to maternity at Kingston, St. George's, Chelsea & Westminster, St Thomas’ and St. Helier hospitals

Do I Have a Choice Where to Give Birth?

This guide will help you compare maternity hospitals and birth centres in South West London. The first thing to be clear about is that it is your choice which hospital in South West London you want to be linked to for maternity care and to birth your baby (if, indeed, you want to use hospital-based care at all!). BirthRights is an amazing charity to keep up to date with your rights in birth, and this link explains how you can refer yourself to any hospital you wan t: [click here to find out more] .

Once this article has helped you decide, you can complete a self-referral form for Kingston, St George’s, Chelsea and Westminster, St Thomas’ or St Helier online. There is no need to visit your GP first.

NB As of October 2025, Chelsea and Westminster are limiting self-referrals from certain areas, all details here :

As of February 2026, Kingston are limiting self-referrals from certain areas, all details here

How Do I Decide Which Hospital to Give Birth In?

There are lots of factors to weigh up to decide the right hospital for you out of Kingston, St. George’s, Chelsea & Westminster, St Thomas’ and St. Helier. If you are particularly interested in having your baby in a birth centre, you may also like to read my article specific to South West London birth centres: [click here to be taken through] .

Here are some other factors to help you decide where to have your baby locally:

Location of the Maternity Unit

South West London is a big place, so you will be closer to some of these hospitals than others. If you plan to birth at the hospital, you may want to think about how long it will take you to get there, rush hour traffic, ease of parking, etc. (see my top tips below!).

You can find your local hospital matern ity unit [here] .

Your antenatal care will be coordinated through the hospital. If you live close by, you’re likely to have your appointments at the hospital itself or in a clinic near you. If you live further away or across boroughs, you will probably need to travel further for your antenatal appointments too. Although, as someone who grew up in Cornwall, I can tell you the distances aren’t huge, so you still have choices!

How Homebirth and Postnatal Care Work

It’s worth knowing that if you would like a homebirth, the teams cover specific geographical areas. You can ring the hospital and ask about this, or send me a message and I can help you know which catchment area you’re in. If you know you want a homebirth from the start, it makes sense to book with the corresponding hospital that provides this service in your area. If you decide later in pregnancy, you may need to transfer, but this is not an issue.

Your postnatal care will also be delivered by community midwives according to geographical area, and so this will be fixed. If you choose the hospital closest to you, it’s more likely that some of the midwives you meet antenatally will also visit you in those early postpartum days, which can be a real boost. Regardless of which hospital you birth in, your postnatal care will be arranged automatically with the correct team before you go home.

CQC Reports for Maternity at Local Hospitals

A bit like Ofsted for schools, the CQC (Care Quality Commission) carries out regular inspections of maternity departments and awards ratings for different aspects of care, along with a report detailing what they found. The latest reports are linked below, along with the maternity department’s current overall rating (click on the rating to read the full report):

Kingston Maternity (December 202 2) : Good
St George’s Maternity (August 2024) : Requires Improvement
Chelsea & Westminster Maternity (May 2023) : Good
St Thomas’ Maternity (December 2022) : Good
St Helier Maternity (February 2024) : Requires Improvement

As with any reports, you may want to delve into the details to see what the inspectors had to say about the areas that feel most relevant to you.

What Is the Hospital’s Policy on Different Aspects of Your Maternity Care?

You may have some elements in your pregnancy that you need additional support with, such as a medical condition. For example, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes in my first pregnancy and moved from St George’s Hospital to St Helier Hospital, where I discovered that the two hospitals had different target thresholds for blood sugars. My friend had a similar experience with testing positive for GBS in a previous pregnancy and learning that the recommendations for antibiotics in labour for subsequent pregnancies varied. If there’s an issue that’s likely to come up for you and you’d like to compare hospital policies, you may be able to find this information on their website or email them directly to ask for a copy.

What Are Some of My Favourite Things About Maternity at Kingston, St George’s, Chelsea & Westminster, St Thomas’ and St. Helier?

As a doula, I spend time regularly at all these South West London hospitals, and here are some of my favourite things about them to help you decide:

Kingston Maternity

Kingston’s delivery suite, birth centre and home birth teams all have their own Instagram accounts, so it’s easy to find information about birth outcomes in each location (they vary quite a lot!), read birth stories and see up-to-date photos. The overall maternity culture at Kingston really stands out, with midwives consistently seeming happy and well supported.

In my experience, staffing of the midwife-led birth centre and home birth teams is reliable. There is a birth pool available on the labour ward.

There are a good number of single rooms on their postnatal ward, particularly for mums who have had a caesarean birth, which can really make a difference to your experience afterwards. At other hospitals, if you birth on the birth centre you will have a single room but otherwise you are likely to be in a shared bay.

The staff also take a special interest in biomechanics and have produced a really helpful leaflet , whi ch shows their motivation to support physiological birth if this is what you want.

St George’s Maternity

St George’s is the largest hospital in South West London and has some amazing facilities for fetal medicine and NICU, offering specialist care before and after the baby is born.

The early pregnancy unit at St George’s operates on a walk-in basis, so if you have any concerns early on, or you’re not sure when you might have conceived, you can head there without needing to see your GP first, which can be really helpful.

St George’s is also good at offering tours of their birth centre (although it’s not always open, so it may not be as advantageous as it seems!). They have recently added a birth pool room to their labour ward.

St George’s also facilitated a maternal assisted caesarean recently. If this is something you might be interested in, message me for more information.

Chelsea and Westminster Maternity

The birth centre at Chelsea and Westminster is lovely (although see note about capacity below). If you are booked to have your baby there, they have a special number to call them in labour so you can go straight onto the birth centre and receive all your care there. They also have an active Instagram account with lots of birth stories, monthly stats and opportunities to meet some of their staff.

If you’re lucky enough to live in the catchment area of the Sunflower Team , you’ll receive true continuity of midwife care, with the same team providing all your antenatal and postnatal care and coming to support you in labour at home or in hospital, depending on your preference.

The hospital is modern, and the facilities for intrapartum (in labour) care are good. There are also two birth pools available on the labour ward and wireless CTG monitoring and bluetooth in all rooms.

St Thomas’ Maternity

St Thomas’ is a large teaching hospital, like St George’s, with all the specialist facilities that go along with that. This probably shouldn’t sway your decision too much, but the views from the maternity unit on the 7th floor are amazing – you can give birth with a view of the London Eye!

The rooms on the labour ward and birth centre are lovely and big, with plenty of room to move around. They are all en suite.

St. Helier Maternity

St Helier is often the lesser-known maternity choice in South West London, which means you can benefit from a more relaxed atmosphere and less busy antenatal clinics and facilities when you’re in labour. The more I doula, the more this stands out as being a lot less busy, which in my experience means you receive very responsive care. For example, if you choose to have a medical induction or request a caesarean birth later on in your pregnancy, this is likely to be subject to far fewer delays and scheduling issues than at other local hospitals.

Their birth centre is fabulous. It has a n active Instagram account tha t gives an insight into their approach to birth, and around 15–20% of births at St Helier take place there, which is consistently the highest of all the hospitals featured in this article. They have also just revamped the rooms (January 2026), so they are looking very nice. If you’re interested in a birth centre birth, this is a hospital you may want to consider. There are two birth centre managers who are wonderful and supportive of women wanting to make informed choices, including birthing outside of guidance.

Almost all of the rooms are en suite, although in the birth centre the toilets are behind a curtain, which most women in labour don’t mind too much.

What Are Some of My Least Favourite Things About Maternity at Kingston, St George’s, Chelsea & Westminster, St Thomas’ & St Helier?

As well as the upsides, here are some of what I see as the downsides of each hospital:

Kingston Maternity

Kingston is a good unit, and as such very popular. This means it is pretty busy and so there can be long waits in e.g. the induction process / the birth centre can be at capacity at times. This also means if you want to use the birth centre the triage process is unpredictable, as sometimes you can go straight onto the birth centre and sometimes you have to go through main triage which many women find disruptive. Parking is limited and crowded (but better than at more central London hospitals!). Although it’s very busy for maternity, it’s only a small hospital and doesn’t have the same amenities as some of the others in terms of food outlets, etc.

There is a high level of intervention on their delivery suite, but this is comparable to the other local hospitals too.

St George’s Maternity

If you read the CQC report above, you’ll see that St George’s has some issues at the moment, particularly with staffing. This is reflected in the availability of the Carmen Suite (midwife-led unit). This means accessing a birth pool is relying on a single option—the one they have recently installed on the labour ward. Some families report that a lack of staff on the postnatal ward can mean they feel unsupported at this stage.

As a doula, my least favourite thing about St George’s is that some of the labour ward rooms are not en suite! If you’re having a caesarean or want an epidural, this won’t be an issue as you’ll have a catheter, but if you’re hoping for a more active birth, a toilet can be really helpful in labour (it’s nicknamed the “dilation station!”), and having to walk across the corridor to a shared facility is not appealing.

Chelsea and Westminster Maternity

Make sure the location really works for you—it’s the other side of the river and traffic can be terrible, especially during rush hour. It also has very limited parking, so most people take a taxi.

With the changes to the postcodes they will accept referrals from from October 2025, Chelsea & Westminster is seeking to ease pressures on capacity, which I think is wise. Even in labour, care has felt extremely busy in my experiences lately. This could mean longer waits for beds following induction, long stays on triage before you’re allocated your own room in labour, and on one occasion, they had to close the labour facilities as they were so busy—though this is very rare.

Some women find the postnatal ward crowded, and a lack of private rooms means you’re often in a shared bay, although this is common to most hospitals.

St Thomas’ Maternity

St Thomas’ services cover a wide area and it’s the furthest from the South West London boroughs, so consider carefully whether the location really works for you. Being in central London means entering the congestion zone and parking is not easy. If you’re having a planned birth, such as an induction or caesarean, this may be fine, but think about it carefully if you’re planning to head to the hospital in labour.

Another thing to know about St Thomas’ is that in their “home from home” (midwife-led) unit, the main rooms are more like labour ward rooms with a bed as the focal point. To access the birth pools and more active birth equipment, you have to go into another room that has no windows. So you could end up being in three rooms before you actually birth your baby: triage, a room on the ward, and a pool room!

The final thing about St Thomas’ is that for some reason, it’s unbelievably hot. Consistently.

St. Helier Maternity

I’m not going to lie to you—visually, St Helier isn’t the most attractive place! Someone told me recently that the hospital is built back to front, and the side of the site that faces the main road is actually the back of the hospital, which makes a lot of sense! Situated on the edge of the large St Helier estate, it doesn’t have a modern central London vibe (mind you, neither do any of the others apart from Chelsea & Westminster). I also once saw a bucket collecting drips in the labour ward corridor! Honestly though, I would encourage you to look past these aesthetics if you want a quieter, more laid-back vibe, as the maternity rooms are all adequate. It doesn't have wireless CTG monitoring which is available, atleast in some rooms, in all the other hospitals.

St Helier, along with Kingston, has the least specialised NICU facilities of all the hospitals in this article, which will be no issue at all for a healthy mum and baby, but may be good to know if you’re anticipating a more complicated journey.

The antenatal and postnatal wards are also quite old and can be hot and stuffy too. As above, there aren’t many private rooms.

The Preparation You Do Is More Important Than the Maternity Department You Choose!

I hope some of the above will help you decide which hospital to choose for your maternity journey. But I want to end by saying that how you prepare , and the support you have around you, is by far the most important thing! This is also the element you are most in control of, which I hope reassures you.

Kingston, St George’s, Chelsea & Westminster, St Thomas’ and St Helier all have far more in common than they do differences in terms of staff (some you’ll click with, some you won’t), standard guidelines and policies, and the high rates of induction, interventions and unplanned caesarean births.

The most important thing is engaging with your own pregnancy and birth, working out what you want, and then making the best choices for you in terms of

making that happen. I am obviously biased, but a birth doula can massively help you with this. Find out more abo ut my [birth doula services here].

And if you’d like to read more about local maternity services, I have a more in-depth article about local birth centres [here].

Birth Doula Blog

This Is What It Actually Looks Like to Have Me as Your Doula

What does a doula actually do?

During pregnancy

Getting ready for birth

When labour starts

During labour

Your birth partner

After your baby is born

Early postnatal time

What people often say

If you’re looking for this kind of support

Behind the Scenes of a Newborn Photoshoot

A Newborn Photoshoot in my Natural Light Studio, near Wimbledon

Setting the Stage

Communication with Parents

Studio Setup

Safety First

The Newborn Photoshoot

Patience and Timing

Posing and Comfort

Capturing Details

Parent and Sibling Involvement

Post-Production

Selecting the Best Shots

Editing with Care

Presentation and Delivery

Book Your Newborn Photography

Best Birth Centres in South West London

How to Access a Birth Centre for Your Water Birth

Local Birth Centre and Water Birth Statistics

Understanding Water Birth Use in Birth Centres

Birth Centre Access When You’re “Out of Guidance”

Reviews of Local Birth Centres in South West London

Location of the birth centre relative to the labour ward

Staffing levels

Triage

Birth pool availability

Postnatal care

Birthing out of guidance

Next Steps and Support

Where to Give Birth in South West London

A guide to maternity at Kingston, St. George's, Chelsea & Westminster, St Thomas’ and St. Helier hospitals

Contents

Do I Have a Choice Where to Give Birth?

How Do I Decide Which Hospital to Give Birth In?

Location of the Maternity Unit

How Homebirth and Postnatal Care Work

CQC Reports for Maternity at Local Hospitals

What Is the Hospital’s Policy on Different Aspects of Your Maternity Care?

What Are Some of My Favourite Things About Maternity at Kingston, St George’s, Chelsea & Westminster, St Thomas’ and St. Helier?

Kingston Maternity

St George’s Maternity

Chelsea and Westminster Maternity

St Thomas’ Maternity

St. Helier Maternity

What Are Some of My Least Favourite Things About Maternity at Kingston, St George’s, Chelsea & Westminster, St Thomas’ & St Helier?

Kingston Maternity

St George’s Maternity

Chelsea and Westminster Maternity

St Thomas’ Maternity

St. Helier Maternity

The Preparation You Do Is More Important Than the Maternity Department You Choose! ﻿

The Preparation You Do Is More Important Than the Maternity Department You Choose!