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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Which hospital to choose RVI or Queen Elizabeth?

31 replies

polo7571 · 01/08/2006 16:25

Hi everyone
I've just joined mumsnet and I'm overwhelmed by the amount of info available -it's great. I've got my first appointment with midwife on Thursday and she's already pressing me for decision on which hospital I wish to give bith in. Having trawlled the internet for days, I can't find any feedback on Queen Elizabeth in Gateshead vs Royal Victoria Infirmary in Ncle - has anyone got any suggestions or info on their experiences with either?
Any advice would be great - not getting a nice warm feeling towards the midwife and I've not even met her yet!

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Lio · 01/08/2006 16:37

No longer live there BUT just wanted to say: don't feel pushed into making this decision so soon. If it's your first appt with a midwife then I'm assuming you've got plenty of time to decide if you even want to go into hospital to have this baby. I know that some people want to be in a hospital but I didn't.I'll stop there in case you are happy with the whole hospital thing, but will keep an eye on the thread in case you want to consider your options further than that.

coffeebeanz · 01/08/2006 17:06

Hi Polo,

I cant really give you much info as I am in the similar situation except my choice is between the RVI and Hexham General (or home of course).

I had an amnio at the RVI on Friday and could not fault the staff or the cleanliness of the building. It did take ages though but that was because they had a couple of emergencies but that is fair enough. If I was in a critical state I would expect non urgent things to take a back seat.
The RVI is a huge hospital and they deal with all sorts from the straight forward to the more complicated deliveries so it may be that you feel a bit of a statistic, whereas in a sleepy market town like Hexham it is a bit more laid back. The only down side to that is in the event of a complication you may have to be ambulanced to town (not sure if this is the case for you though)

At the end of the day its where you feel happier that counts and you are entitled to change your mind as many times as you want. Dont be bullied by your midwife you are in the controlling seat.

Original poster

polo7571 · 01/08/2006 17:25

Thanks Lio and Coffeebeanz.
My sister had the same choice as you Coffeebeanz - she's already had 3 children all at the RVI and is planning to have the 4th due in Feb there also (she lives in Ponteland). She's found it fine. I guess the choice is difficult for me as one is 1 mile away and the other 3 miles away, so both pretty much on the doorstep. I think that it's down to the luck of the draw on 'D' day on whether you get a good midwife/experience. I used to live near Hexham and have been treated there a couple of times (non-pregnancy related) and found the staff there so friendly. Hope everything goes well with your amnio. Thanks again.

OP posts:

Toady · 01/08/2006 17:47

Also remember if you are not comfortable with your midwife, ask the HOM for another one, it might be a bit awkward but you only get pregnant and give birth once or a few times in your life, it is your experience, your baby and It should be perfect for you iykwim.

Lio · 01/08/2006 19:48

Definitely visit both and if you want to ask questions you could try things like:
their rate of c-section
rate of episiotomoy
rate of induction
if they have a pool (if that interests you)
whether they have a breastfeeding advisor/support group (again if you are interested)

allyco · 01/08/2006 20:49

Hi polo - I've had babies in both!

RVI is the region's specialist foetal medeicine centere so get more complicated deliveries. Have to say I am not hugely impressed with QE though, even though it is nearer to me and smaller. Some midwives were great, others not so, and I was distinctly unimpressed with the lack of cleanliness.

Had my 2nd dd in QE in 1992, my 3rd DD in RVI in 1997, my 4th DD in QE in 2004 and my DS (and deffo last baby!!) there this April. I was very ill with hyperemesis in all my pregnancies and again have to say the QE midwives were not especially sympathetic. Something I remember from every time I was there was them saying how busy they were, even when wards nearly empty, and when buzzed they always took ages to come, if they came at all!!

Hope this helps but if you need anything more just shout up!!

newnameforthisthread · 01/08/2006 23:59

Hello.
As you will guess fromy my nickname I have namechanged for this thread. This is because I am a dr (paeds) and I try really hard to keep mumsnet separate from my real life.

I have worked in both the QE and the RVI as a paediatrician so have attended deliveries at both etc. They are both nice hospitals but I chose to deliver my dd at the RVI. The RVI has a regional neonatal intensive care unit (where I have worked) which is excellent. It was the presence of this unit which made me want to deliver at the RVI rather than any maternal issues. From what I have seen midwives at bith units are overworked and overstretched but generally very nice. I got excellent midwifery care at the RVI but I was very ill and also knew all of the staff . The consultants were all lovely too. SCBU at the QE is good but does not have anywhere near the facilities that are available at the RVI.

Highlander · 02/08/2006 09:47

I'm booked in for an elective CS at the RVI. All my friends ar Drs and delivered there. No complaints, other than the usuaul overstretched midwives. Take your own paracetamol and ibuprofen (let them know though).

LaDiDaDi · 02/08/2006 10:49

I have to say that this thread has surprised me as i didn't realise that there were so many mumsnetters in the north-east. We really should have a meet up!

PS RVI as long as getting to it wouldn't mean trying to get over the Tyne Bridge, possibly in rush hour!

allyco · 02/08/2006 12:00

and RVI neonatal ITU is brilliant. DD3 was in there for a week and I can't speak highly enough of the staff. Hopefully you won't have to worry about that though polo!

QE midwives know jack about BF too, IMHO.

spook · 02/08/2006 13:04

Hi polo, looks like the RVI's winning this race! I've just come out of there after ectopic and also had 2 babies there.
The overstretched staff were as lovely as they could be and TBH my main bugbear was the food (which is sending shivers down my spine right now!!) It seemed very clean although had to keep asking for pain relief.
Also agree with Toady-if you're not clicking with your midwife ask for another one. You will remember this time in your life forever. She won't.
Good luck XX

elliott · 02/08/2006 13:16

ha! newname we must know people in common as I know a few paeds working in the NE...
I don't know anything about the QE from experience (and not much more about the RVI come to think of it) Had one very straightforward delivery at the RVI which was fine but the postnatal care left a lot to be desired - couldn't wait to get out....

Original poster

polo7571 · 02/08/2006 15:34

I think RVI is winning too Have finally tracked down some stats for both (2004) and they are pretty comparable. Though based on the feedback from all of you, I think I'm developing a warmer feeling for RVI. I've booked a tour in a couple of weeks time. Dare I say that I'm not planning on breastfeeding so that's not a biggy for me - except that I don't want any hospital ramming this down my throat. My DH to be wants to be involved in as much as he can so I'd rather he help with the feeding from day 1. Good point about the Tyne Bridge - think I'd just have to keep my fingers crossed I don't go into labour at rush hour - though it's my first child so I don't expect it will be a quick birth anyway Anyone thinking of having a water birth?

OP posts:

LaDiDaDi · 02/08/2006 16:03

I'm going to post in meet-ups about a north east meetup if anyone fancies it.

LaDiDaDi · 02/08/2006 16:10

Just posted in meet-ups. A few threads about at the moment but some seem to have started ages ago and not really got anywhere so I'm trying again with the August 2006 Newcastle and surrounds meet-up thread.

pecka · 03/08/2006 13:05

My DH works at the QE but doesnt seem to know much about antenatal care there I have had 2 babies in the RVI and like a lot of others cant fault them except the food and lack of time from midwives but you will get that anywhere I reckon.

Original poster

polo7571 · 03/08/2006 15:49

Well saw midwife today and she was still insistent that I chose so that the first scan could be booked - so RVI it is. Also the QE didn't offer Nuchal screening, so really no competition.

OP posts:

LaDiDaDi · 03/08/2006 19:03

Oh I knew that about nuchal screening but I had kind of forgotten and didn't realise that it would be a deciding factor. Sorry i didn't think to mention it earlier.

Original poster

polo7571 · 03/08/2006 19:47

Don't worry - my sister had told me about it. I'm trying not to keep asking her too many questions with it being my first - she's pregnant also with her 4th and is 5 weeks ahead of me.

OP posts:

Lio · 03/08/2006 19:57

Hi again polo. Good luck for the scan, but remember that if you change your mind later in the pregnancy you are entitled to have your baby somewhere else if you want.

Highlander · 03/08/2006 21:13

DS loves the soft play area in the RVI ante-natal waiting area

The ante-natal booking staff are sooooooooooooo laid back about changing appts to suit you.

The last time I was up there they had a huge display advertising the birthing pool.

theladyvanishes · 04/08/2006 14:05

I went to north tyneside but i know a few women from my antenatal class who went to the RVI and were happy with the care they got (it is very very busy tho) and there is a site (i will look for it that gives the rates of episiotomoy (sp) etc

Original poster

polo7571 · 04/08/2006 17:31

Thanks - I found some stats on the likes the other day DR?? other website - they came out pretty comparable apart from RVI handling 36% more births. I've filled out the forms for RVI for now so think I'll stick with it for now.

OP posts:

LaDiDaDi · 04/08/2006 18:09

Polo I've been to a shop in Whitley Bay today that I wish I had known about when I was pregnant so I thought that I would pass it on to you. It's called Megababe Maternity. It's open Tues-Sat and the owner seemed really lovely. I bought a coorie sling which dd is enjoying right now and is a great hands free way to carry her. They seemed to sell lovely maternity wear which I really struggled to find when I was pregnant and I also noticed that they do real nappies and eco recyclable disposables. She even gave me one and let me change dd there. I know it's not that handy for Low Fell but if you were out that way or fancied a shopping trip at the coast it's worth a look.

pecka · 04/08/2006 18:50

I went there when i was pregnant, got a lovely outfit for a wedding

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