When planning for the momentous occasion that is bringing a baby into the world, it's important to know you are in safe hands, where to go when labour starts and what to expect when you get there. For expectant parents, welcoming their child into their family is one of the most significant moments of their life.
The majority of mothers will give birth in hospital, often under the same service that does all their check-ups, scans and tests during their pregnancy. But how do you know which hospital to choose and where to go?
London's maternity services are split into five areas: East, North Central, North West, South West and South East. Almost every health care setting, including all hospitals, are regularly inspected by the Care Quality Commission. The inspectors rate every hospital as well as every individual service as either inadequate, requires improvement, good or outstanding.
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MyLondon has located each of London's NHS hospital maternity services, and has found out the rating for every one so that you know where is best for you to give birth in your area.
The Royal London Hospital
Maternity rating: Good
Overall hospital rating: Good
Borough: Tower Hamlets
Find out more here.
Homerton University Hospital
Maternity rating: Good
Overall hospital rating: Outstanding
Borough: Hackney
Find out more here.
Newham University Hospital
Maternity rating: Requires improvement
Overall hospital rating: Requires improvement
Borough: Newham
Find out more here.
Whipps Cross University Hospital
Maternity rating: Good
Overall hospital rating: Requires improvement
Borough: Waltham Forest
Find out more here.
Queen's Hospital
Maternity rating: Requires improvement
Overall hospital rating: Requires improvement
Borough: Havering
Find out more here.
North Middlesex University Hospital
Maternity rating: Good
Overall hospital rating: Requires improvement
Borough: Enfield
Find out more here.
The Whittington Hospital
Maternity rating: Good
Overall hospital rating: Good
Borough: Islington
Find out more here.
Royal Free Hospital
Maternity rating: Requires improvement
Overall hospital rating: Requires improvement
Borough: Camden
Find out more here.
University College London Hospital
Maternity rating: Good
Overall hospital rating: Requires improvement
Borough: Camden
Find out more here.
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
Maternity rating: Good
Overall hospital rating: Outstanding
Borough: Kensington & Chelsea
Find out more here.
Hillingdon Hospital
Maternity rating: Good
Overall hospital rating: Inadequate
Borough: Hillingdon
Find out more here.
Northwick Park Hospital
Maternity rating: Requires improvement
Overall hospital rating: Requires improvement
Borough: Harrow
Find out more here.
Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital
Maternity rating: Outstanding
Overall hospital rating: Outstanding
Borough: Hammersmith & Fulham
Find out more here.
St Mary's Hospital
Maternity rating: Outstanding
Overall hospital rating: Requires improvement
Borough: City of Westminster
Find out more here.
West Middlesex University Hospital
Maternity rating: Outstanding
Overall hospital rating: Good
Borough: Hounslow
Find out more here.
St. Thomas' Hospital
Maternity rating: Good
Overall hospital rating: Good
Borough: Lambeth
Find out more here.
King's College Hospital
Maternity rating: Good
Overall hospital rating: Requires improvement
Borough: Lambeth
Find out more here.
University Hospital Lewisham
Maternity rating: Good
Overall hospital rating: Requires improvement
Borough: Lewisham
Find out more here.
Princess Royal University Hospital
Maternity rating: Good
Overall hospital rating: Requires improvement
Borough: Bromley
Find out more here.
St George's Hospital
Maternity rating: Good
Overall hospital rating: Requires improvement
Borough: Wandsworth
Find out more here.
Kingston Hospital
Maternity rating: Good
Overall hospital rating: Good
Borough: Kingston-upon-Thames
Find out more here.
Queen Mary's Hospital for Children
Maternity rating: Good
Overall hospital rating: Good
Borough: Sutton
Find out more here.
Croydon University Hospital
Maternity rating: Good
Overall hospital rating: Requires improvement
Borough: Croydon
Find out more here.
Epsom General Hospital
Maternity rating: Good
Overall hospital rating: Good
Borough: Epsom
Find out more here.
Do you have a story you think we should be covering? If so, email elizabeth.haigh@reachplc.com.
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