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Original poster

choosing hospital in fife/edinburgh

14 replies

crazybird · 11/11/2006 13:28

I'm in the process of choosing a hospital to have my baby in fife/edinburgh. Just wondering if anyone has any feedback on Forth Park/Victoria in Fife or St. Johns in Livingson or any other hospitals in Fife/Edinburgh. I've gone on the Dr. Foster website and St. John's looks appealing e.g. 2 waterbirth facilities, anaesthetist available 24 hours, I need some personal views though about care received, facilities - good and bad (if applicable!). Thanks

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Original poster
crazybird · 12/11/2006 12:53

Anyone got advice/experience to pass on?

OP posts:
Peridot30 · 12/11/2006 13:10

My sis in law moving to fife in a few weeks her baby due in January. Think she mentioned she will be going to Forth Park as tht is the closest hospital to where she is moving.NOt sure though will speak to her and get back to you.

dizietsma · 12/11/2006 20:55

Don't go to the Simpsons at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary unless you need specialist care. It's the busiest maternity hospital in the area and never calm, also the Infirmary has had MRSA problems. Plus my personal experience of it was that there were some good staff, some awful staff (like the midwife who was going to break my waters without my consent) but all were overstretched. To top it all I had a lovely view of bloodstains on the ceiling !

I'm reliably informed that St. Johns is much nicer.

MrsSpoon · 12/11/2006 21:04

I've given birth at Forth Park twice now and it was fine. The hospital had some bad press about 8 or more years and ago and when I was in having DS1 they were very hot on hygiene issues as infection had been one of the problems they were having at that time. I found the usual problems, some fantastic midwives, some not so great and all with different ideas. I wasn't in for long after having DS2 so my experiences are almost 8 years old. Both births were fine and midwives in the Obstetric Unit were fantastic.

expatinscotland · 12/11/2006 21:11

If I lived in Fife I'd rule out ERI immediately.

It can take ages to get there from Fife depending on the time of day.

I had both my girls at ERI, but I live in Edinburgh.

mawbroon · 12/11/2006 21:35

crazybird - I had my ds in St Johns last October. I live 15 mins away. I had an elective cs as ds was breech so I probably am not a lot of help to you. The consultant care in the run up to the birth was good and I have no complaints about the three nights I spent there. Even the food wasn't bad, but it wasn't enough for my ravenous breastfeeding appetite, especially after having to fast for the cs. It was a quiet period when I was there, so I don't really know how it might differ if they are busy.
When are you due? Good luck

agalch · 12/11/2006 21:51

Hi Crazybird

had ds2 at St Johns nearly 11 years ago and the birth and mw's were great.

Had dd1 in 2004 and again it was a good experience,mw's were great and birth good.

had dd2 there in August this year.Was meant to be having a homebirth but a poss vasa previa meant i had to go straight into St Johns to be checked out and ended up having her in the hospital.

Honestly i could not have been any better taken care of.The porters who wheeled me to theatre,the registrar the mw's and the consultant were fab.Explained everything and made sure we understood any risks etc.

Turned out fine anyway and had a sweetheart of a mw and had the pool gas & air and a normal quickish delivery.

I would def reccommend St Johns.xx

Original poster
crazybird · 12/11/2006 22:32

Thank you all for your advice - it is really helpful, thanks again

OP posts:
aravinda · 13/11/2006 00:42

You can also look at the birthchoice uk website here I have experience of ERI and St Johns and personally, if I wanted a natural birth I would not give birth in either of them, but if I had to make a choice it would be St Johns. The postnatal care at ERI is notoriously bad. I have heard from a colleague that Forth Park is OK.

Alibaldi · 13/11/2006 02:57

My friend had her two in St John's and another Fifer had her girl at Forth Park. I had my two in Princess Royal in Glasgow before moving to Fife. Another friend of mine in Edinburgh had two home births rather than go to ERI (Simpsons). The new hosptial seems to have had nothing but hassles since it opened.

liath · 13/11/2006 07:33

I had dd at ERI but two friends opted to go to St John's instead and both were very happy with the care there. I've actually worked at St John's though it was several years ago and the midwives there are (or were then) very good.

The only potential drawback is that the neonatal care at St John's isn't quite as good & if there were major problems with the baby then it's would need to be transferred to ERI.

Don't know much about Forth Park I'm afraid. ERI was fine but the post natal care left a bit to be desired so I'm going for a homebirth this time.

saltire · 13/11/2006 08:34

My SIL had her youngest at Forth park and had no problems, also a couple of friends have chosen their instead of Ninewells, and have raved about the place, said the facilites and staff were great.

JennyLeevesmilkandcookiesforSa · 13/11/2006 09:27

Lol i hated St Johns, nurses were run off their feet and patronising but midwifes were nice but that was 7 years ago so would listen to people who have been recently!

nailpolish · 13/11/2006 10:23

i had both my dd's at forth park too

loved it

felt like i was being treated as a pregnant woman giving birth, not a patient in a hospital requiring medical treatment iyswim

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