Anyone gave birth at the RVI birthing centre in Newcastle?

[Hodge85]

Hi,

I really like the idea of having a private room so my DH can start with me. How do you get to stay in one of these rooms? Do you have to pay? x

We did a tour of it yesterday; it’s fantastic.
You have to be low risk, and can’t have anything more than gas & air or diamorphine to use it.
Also, partners can stay on the delivery suite (clinical ward) they just don’t advertise it.

@ELW85 ah that's great news! Ah well I'm open to have all the drugs they offer but was wanting my husband to stay with me. I've got a tour booked for April, although I'm there tomorrow for my 20 week scan. Do they give you information on where you need to go when the time comes, etc? x

@Hodge85 - having my DH stay with me is really important too!
The birthing centre is really chilled with low lighting etc and every room has a double sofa bed for DH to stay over. The delivery suite is quite bright and clinical but obviously when you’re in labour, it probably wouldn’t matter if you needed to be there, so either option is good 😊
If your April tour is part of the labour and birth prep, it’s a 4 hour course and they give you all of the info ever (I took notes!) I think you’ll really enjoy it.
There are only 12 rooms in the birthing centre, so I asked how likely it is you’d get a room but apparently you’re quite likely to get one. I don’t know if it’s because people end up going to the delivery suite for more pain relief etc?
I hope you enjoy it! X

@ELW85 aww that's brilliant, thank you so much for the info. Yes, I'm booked on to the 4 hour course too. When are you due? I'm not due until June, so plenty of time yet Obviously a little apprehensive about the birth part but can't wait for little one to arrive! x

@Hodge85 - we’re due on 21st March. I’m considering packing the hospital bag now though as she did mention yesterday that she’s had people in labour at 19 and 31 weeks etc!
You’ll enjoy the course and you get to see both the birthing centre and delivery suite. It’s great!
How are you finding pregnancy so far? X

@ELW85 19 weeks! Crikey, that's where I am now, how terrifying having to deliver so early! I'm doing well right now, I have more energy at the moment so making the most of it. How are you doing? It's crazy to think that the 21st March isn't too far away now. We found out that were having a little boy, I couldn't wait any longer Do you know what you're having or is it a surprise?
I'm really pleased I've picked the RVI, I've heard good things about it. Looking forward to the course x

@Hodge85 - the RVI is our closest option, so I’m quite happy that it’s as great as it is!
I’m good thank you; it really flies after your 20w scan...everyone said that to me but I can’t tell you enough how true that is!
We’re having a little boy too! He’s actually due a day before DH’s birthday, so that’ll be a great present if it all works out that way 😀
Are you doing any of the other courses? We’re not bothering with NCT but have a new baby practical next month x

@ELW85 we are doing the baby practical at the RVI too as well as NCT classes, but that's due to DH's brother and his wife as they did that and found it really helpful. My DH is completely clueless about how to help me when the time comes, etc so he wants as much info as possible. I have a fair idea but I'm excited to learn as much as I can.
We currently live in Durham (my DH and his family come from here) but I'm from Newcastle and my Mum actually works at the RVI so it was a no-brainer that I wanted a geordie baby.
I was going to ask you where do you have to go in the RVI for the class and tour? I booked it via email but they didn't say, so I'm unsure.
Aww, March birthdays are the best, that's when mine is too. That would be lovely if they shared the same birthday
I can't believe how quickly it's gone already! I can imagine the next few months will whizz by, have you got everything you need? We're doing well, although we just moved before I became pregnant so little ones room is full of boxes still...best get on that x

@Hodge85 hey! When you go for the tour, you just go to the reception at the birthing centre (3rd floor Leazes wing). It’s for a Costa next to it, which I think is very strategic for the birthing centre!
I think we have got everything to be fair. I’m sure there’ll always be something but I’m feeling good about it and really excited to meet our little boy!
Nursery is all done, but we’re only about 9 weeks away so I’m pleased it’s all taken care of 😊 x

Jumping on this thread if you don’t mind as I’m considering the RVI as well! It’s reassuring me to read all of your positive comments so far I’ve got a tour booked in March so I’m looking forward to that!

Out of curiosity, anyone know anything about how the QE in Gateshead is?

I’m 22 weeks, currently having my Antental care in London but will be moving to Newcastle when I’m around 32 weeks (Due in May) Anyone have any experience transferring hospital care during pregnancy?

Congrats on your little bundles, it won’t be long now before they’re here! xx

@JBFletcher90 - I haven’t transferred care but there were some positive reviews of the QE in the local news recently. I can’t find a link, unfortunately.
The QE is smaller than the RVI but they have the same clinical facilities, so it would only really come down to what sort of delivery you wanted, and if you were low risk to facilitate that.
Hope that helps, and congratulations! Xx

I gave birth to my first in the birthing suite at the RVI. It was fantastic. You don't have to pay. It was so tranquil and to stay on your own, just you, baby and other half, was amazing. A million miles apart from my experience the second time...I couldn't use the birthing suite as I was induced.

Thank you! 😊 I’ll probably end up going with the RVI as I’m currently low risk and it’ll be closer to us when we move.

Also having a boy but due to moving in a few weeks, everything that I’ve bought so far has been stuffed into boxes or delivered to my mums house. Itching to move and be able to start properly nesting!

@Jasquers that sounds fantastic! After reading threads about how awful postnatal care can be, it’s lovely to be able to read about people’s positive experiences 😊

@Jasquers - it’s great to hear that you enjoyed the birthing centre. I’m keeping my fingers crossed we stay low risk and get a space there!

@JBFletcher90 - I’ll keep everything crossed that you get to use it too! I agree, it’s great to hear positive stories, and I’m actually quite excited for labour (as weird as that sounds!)

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone knows when you choose which hospital you want to have your baby at? I am only 6 weeks and don't have my booking appointment for another 3 weeks. We live closer to Cramlington Emergency Care but I want to have our baby at the RVI as it's closer for family to visit and I know the hospital much better. I am just feeling anxious that so far I have had no information.

@MamaK36 I chose when I had my first appointment with my midwife. I was given no information, I just did my own research and picked the RVI. I'm 24 weeks now and they've been great, I'm being consultant led and it's all been spot on so far x

I had an induction at Cramlington 18mths ago @MamaK36 it was great, just incase you end up going there. You have your own room afterwards and partners can stay over (they have recliner type chairs to sleep in).
I had been aiming for the MLU at Hexham but it wasn’t to be.

I did for my first 3 years ago.
We had the pink room with a water birth. Then we’re moved to the purple room for 3 days whilst breast feeding was established. My husband stayed with me in the purple room. The midwives would come in through the night to help with breastfeeding and help us give her her first bath etc. Each room had its own toilets, showers, TVs and double beds. I would really recommend it.

I gave birth in the birthing centre at the RVI in October. After the 4 hour session (which we found to be really helpful) I had my heart set on birthing centre over delivery suite. Staff were incredible, my midwife (Ellie) made the whole experience an absolute dream. The rooms have so much space, when my parents came to visit they actually thought we had paid for a private room.

I'm not sure if I'll be allowed in the birthing centre, I'm consultant lead due to having my thyroid removed but surely that wouldn't impact my delivery? I think as it's just during the pregnancy that I'm being monitored. The birthing centre sounds fab. x

My little boy is 6 so it was a while ago I had an emergency csection and stayed on a ward with others. Two others had a section and one other had another medical issue I wasnt offered a private room but 3 of us had just had surgery had catheter ect in so had to buzz for the nurses ect so maybe that's why we were in together. No partners stayed on the ward but it could all have changed now. I thought they were all brilliant and the RVI is a brilliant hospital.

Just because someone asked up thread, I had all 3 of mine at the QE in gateshead and I could not fault it any time - it was excellent!

OP, the only thing I would say is that Durham to Newcastle is a really long car drive when you’re in labour. Being in a car, strapped in, is awful. The 15 mins it took me to get to the QE with my middle one (the only one I wasn’t induced with) was the worst part of all 3 births. I would not wanted to do 40 mins of it.

I'm not concerned about the drive, it's 20/25 mins on a good day however my Mum lives really close so if nearer the time I feel like I want to be closer then I'm just going to stay at hers x

@ELW85 you're due this week! How are you getting on? I'm in a bit of a panic, they've cancelled the NHS antenatal classes and tour. I have no idea where to go when the time comes, I'm really hoping all of this blows over quickly! Anyway, hopefully we'll get an update from you, can't believe the time has come for you already! x