Rosie Birth Centre, Cambridge

[Laura898989]

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping to give birth in a MLU and just wondering if anyone has a recent experience at the Rosie/Addenbrookes at Cambridge?

I'd love to know this too.

I had both of my DC at the Rosie (one in May 2020, one in October 2022). Both times the midwives were very attentive and knowledgeable. The MLU has amazing facilities in each room and absolutely cannot be faulted. If you manage to stay on the MLU or are lucky to have your baby born on a calm day, you get to stay in the MLU until discharge.

Both times I was moved upstairs for doctor intervention (ventouse both times, wahoo). Ward the first time overnight during Covid. It was ok, but in the first lockdown, so I don't know if it was anything close to normal. Second time was moved back to the MLU until checks on the baby were completed. Awesome experience (minus the pain of childbirth, but I blame myself for refusing and epidural both times).

My friend had her second at the MLU just over a week ago and was very happy. I've had both of mine at Addenbrookes, but both elective CS. If you're in the MLU you should stay there if all goes well, and from all accounts it is lush with double beds. The Lady Mary postnatal ward was, in my experience, terrible first time around (2019) and wonderful second time (2021). The surgery teams are fab, just FYI.

Can I ask how far along you were before getting your c section date?
I'm 35 weeks today and was told I'd have my c section between 37/38 weeks... so either with week before Xmas or the week after.... Still waiting on my date, I'm a medically necessary c section so feeling so anxious now.

im having my C-section there on Monday so interested to hear feedback too. V anxious because last time I had a section it was in a London hospital and it didn’t go well! Hoping for a better experience this time!

@Nattalie18 di you mind sharing which London hospital? Keeping my fingers crossed for you! Hoe many weeks are you?

@MooseBreath & @FluffMagnet thanks so much for sharing your experiences! That’s really helpful.

@FluffMagnet I’m hoping for an elective c-section too but not for a strictly medical reason. I’m worried hospital staff will look down on that (e.g. choosing the ‘easy’ way, I know it’s ridiculous!). Not sure if you can answer, but do you think staff will be supportive?

Live fairly close by, didn't have my children there so no direct experience but have only ever heard good things about it. A few friends have had DC there and it was all positive. Visited a friend following her DD birth and it was a lovely place to visit. Friend works there and I haven't heard anything bad from her.

I had all of mine there, amazing team. I would go back there again (or recommend) in a heartbeat.

@IVFgothope they were wonderful with me each time. My community midwives were great and sent me to Mrs Wilson for consultant care. With my last (2021) they had just set up the CARES team https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/our-services/cares-team/ , who put me under Eleanor's care, so I saw her for my pre-op appointments and then she accompanied me into theatre. She was fabulous, very calming and it was nice to see my midwife before they were scrubbed and masked up (as was with my first - lovely lady but frankly I was only aware she was there right at the end when I had a bit of a fret about being moved from the table to the trolley).

@IVFgothope forgot to say - my ELCSs were for tokophobia. No physical medical need.

Thanks so much for sharing the link and your experiences @FluffMagnet! that is so helpful and reassuring.

I can understand the anxiety. I have been worrying and having nightmares about childbirth since I was 16, and 20 years later the fear is no less. Being 36 now, I can’t avoid or delay much longer.

Fully understand @IVFgothope! It is horrible but I found the midwives and consultants have been so understanding about it across both my pregnancies.