Royal Victoria Belfast?

[Mmolly2013]

Has anyone any experiences of giving birth here. I'm hearing not so good stories from friends ie basic rooms, too busy, midwife shaving no time for you or even care enough help!!!

hi mmolly
I've no direct experience but a good friend gave birth there twice and would throughly recommend it. She only had good things to say about it.
I to have heard how busy it is but I think that bar a few mlu such as lvh most units are v busy.

Thank you

I had both kids in the Mater and LOVED it. It's now a midwife led unit, so they won't take you if you're high risk, whereas RVH will.

I've heard mixed-reports about everywhere, so I suppose it's just whatever happens at the time.

I would say that as the largest hospital in the area it's bound to be busy, but no experience of it, so I can't comment.

Sorry that isn't much use!

When are you due? Is RVH your closest hospital?

July I'm due..also beside Lagan valley but worried I case they wont have as much drugs etc

think theres good and bad reports about everywhere. im due for antrim in july, heard both good & bad. not had a tour or anything but maybe that will happen at the big scan in 4wks time

I had both in the royal and no complaints at all. I had as much attention as i wanted. Both births were vaginal with no complications so i have no exerience of c-sections or high risk etc.

You're worried in case Lagan Valley won't have as many drugs? Why, what have you heard about the drugs available in both? I'm sure both have gas&air, epidurals and all the usual stuff. Also, you might not need many drugs.

mummytobe I've had two babies in Antrim hospital, and whilst my first experience was not perfect, the second one, a couple of years ago, was very very positive. The midwives are, generally, really good, a huge improvement on my first visit a few years earlier. On the whole I couldn't fault it.

lvh is midwife led so the only drugs available are gas and air and possibly pethidine (but not 100%sure on that one). If there are any complications then you will be ambulanced to one of the bigger hospitals.
I wish I could have lvh but need to be consultant led. The facilities in lvh are fab and the midwives fantastic. They dont seem to have the same numbers as other units so have loads of time to spend with you.

I had my kids in the Royal and can't fault them. Lovely staff and great deliveries. I was midwifery led care and the midwives were brilliant. The queues were also shorter for midwifery led care ay the Royal. I was usually in and out of my appointments in 30 minutes. I was on the ward whichwas a bit crowded but was out within 24 hours so didn't mind.
I've heard great things about the Ulster too. The midwife led unit post natal ward has duvets. Ooo

And no shaving.

I don't want an epidural but want the comfort of knowing it's there. Lagan valley is only a small maternity ward and don't gave facilities for epidural a etc. and if something serious happened they would have to move you to royal, they only take low risk mothers

Im a nurse, and I have had 3 babies. All in the Ulster Hospital Dundonald. I have had very positive births.
My own GP told me to avoid the Royal! and I have spoken to a Student Midwife who said it was horrific to work there compared to the Antrim and UHD, like stepping back in time. Routine episiotomies and very old fashioned methods. She said she would never work there.
Most people I know used the UHD, and their new birthing wing is amazing-I really recommend the Home from Home suites. Fabulous.
To be fair though, I never rated the RVH, even on the wards. Sorry.