Ninewells or Kirkcaldy?

[FifeTyke]

I've recently found out I'm pregnant and when organising my booking appointment the midwife asked whether I wanted to give birth at Ninewells in Dundee or the Royal Victoria in Kirkcaldy as I live between the two. I'd not even thought about this yet and as I've only lived in Fife since July I don't know much about either hospital. Any recommendations?

[margotsdevil]

Where in Fife are you? Just that you're possibly equidistant in terms of distance, but the road to Dundee isn't always the best... I was born in Kirkcaldy and know the area pretty well

[FifeTyke]

I’m in Cupar so pretty much slap bang between the two.

[margotsdevil]

In terms of distance/ease of access I would probably choose Dundee then - and I definitely know that part of Fife as I went to school there. I've not given birth in either but have friends who have; I've heard mixed experiences of both to be honest.

Good luck with the wee one!

[TheLovleyChebbyMcGee]

Gave birth at Ninewells 9 weeks ago. The worst part was the ward after, very warm, really noisy, I had a catheter and was worried about the bag getting too full so had to go to the midwife station in the middle of the night, I got stressed about weather to take my baby with me or leave it alone by my bed.

They allow partners to stay, mine didn't, but the one at the next bed did and it was distracting. The patients mother was also there when she shouldn't have been late at night, again, distracting and very loud, but hardly the crime of the century.

The care I had from the midwives was otherwise great, and the breastfeeding support workers were excellent, they are the reason I'm still breastfeeding and didn't pack it in after 4 days!

Feel free to message if you have any questions

[FifeTyke]

Thanks for the feedback, that's all good to know. I like the fact that my husband could stay if he wanted to. And I'm planning to breastfeed too so it's nice to hear there is good support.

Hope all is going well with you and your little one.

[ApolloandDaphne]

From Cupar I would say Kirkcaldy. The maternity unit there is pretty new and i think getting there would be easier than getting to Dundee. The parking is terrible though. I did not give birth in either of these places so cannot comment on that!

[Meganc559]

I gave birth in Dundee last month and the labour suit was really good, although they refused me pain relief for the first 8 hours as they didn't think I was in labour.
But the midwives I had were great

However the ward was horrific, really noisy and crowded! 21 babies! And they make a lot of noise.midwives refused to watch my son for 2 mins while I went to the loo so had to wheel him to the bathroom.
I had a student midwife attempt to take a drip out my hand and ended up pushing it into my hand. I couldn't move or use it for days. I found they were rubbish with breast feeding, every time I buzzed asking for help they would just attach him and say they didn't have time to show me. I suppose it depends who you get as the midwives who birthed my son were great but the ward staff were hellish!