Any recent experiences of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary?

[Lordashley]

Had DD1 in the ERI in June 2006 and had a very positive experience. However, I've recently heard some horror stories about how busy it is at the moment (women giving birth in the waiting room etc).

Since my first labour was straightforward, I'm now thinking of a homebirth instead (am 33wks already!). However, I've never been so keen on the idea and would prefer the hospital if anyone can relate a recent positive experience!

I go to a yoga class where the people who have popped come back and tell you about their experience. They have all had babies in the royal and been really positive about their care - including the last one who had to be induced and had a generally dreadful time, but thought her care was great.

HTH

i'd love to know of more experiences of the ERI too. a year on, but i find myself in the same position as the OP except for that this is my first. I've heard so much negative stuff, I 'm a bit scared

I would avoid the ERI if possible. It's too busy, understaffed and the post-natal ward is horrible.

My experience of homebirth MW are that they are all excellent in Edinburgh.

Have also heard some very positive things about St. Johns in Livingston, if you'd prefer a hospital birth. You can insist on your care being transferred there if you'd prefer.

hi,

I gave birth/ cs at ERI in august 2007 and found all aspects of care excellent. my friend tried homebirth last november but was transferred to ERI with complications and also was pleased with the care she received.
don't be over scared by random reports as they often do not portray an accurate picture.
i remember reading up on mn about ERI whilst pregnant and getting into a panic about some comments about understaffing and poor standards of hygiene and nasty midwife's but i had nothing but praise for the ERI after spending 4 days there

One tends to hear horror stories more because that is what people like to talk about, so much more interesting or attention grabbing to relate bad care rather than good.

no recent experience but I do remember when it first opened out at Little France and there were stories of over-crowding and births in corridors. So I wouldn't take it all at face value.

thanks ladies. any more for anymore?

My friend is a midwife at the Royal and she is the sweetest most gentle natured person I have ever met in my life..so hope you get her!!

i work in the RIE but not in simpsons

if you are in the west of edinburgh of any description, think about going to st johns. its a lovely hosptial (ive worke dthere too)

and the aprking is free at st johns

I had a baby at the RIE in August 2008. It was very busy - in fact after my waters went I came back 3 times over 2 days before they found me a bed - including waiting in triage for 5 hours after being promised there was a bed and then being sent away again. Once I got on the Labour ward for an induction it was a really positive experience but it was very busy and apparently they had to shut the ward to new patients just after I was admitted. The postnatal ward was busy as well. Food was rank - apparently it comes from Cardiff!Help with breastfeeding was good and they encouraged me to stay until it was well established - and I'm still going strong after 7 months.You've always got the option to head to St John's if the RIE is full when you're about to pop.

I also gave birth in August 2008, didnt have a great experience and was left alone for hours at a time despite being in labour 6 weeks prematurely. As Paddypoopants said, they were very busy at that time, extremely understaffed (on code red apparently), they also sent me home when I first went in telling me I was at "low risk" of giving birth. Baby was born at 10.00pm, they wouldnt let me go to the neonatal unit to see him until 1.00pm next day as they had no wheelchairs to take me along I was more than capable of walking but they physically barred my exit from the recovery ward Saying that they did deliver my baby safely and neonatal staff were great.

Just come upon this thread and would be v. interested to hear views of mums who have delivered in Simpsons in the last 6 months.

Just come upon this thread and would be v. interested to hear views of mums who have delivered in Simpsons in the last 6 months.

I had a baby at ERI last year. Being induced was hellish, as was waiting for space on labour ward for ages whilst in horrendous pain in an ante natal ward downstairs, but once I got up to the labour ward the care was absolutely superb - couldn't fault it. I had to have an emergency section but everything felt totally in control the whole time. I got my own room after it. The staff were great, I have healed really well with no infections etc. I wouldn't go to st johns - much less back up if things go wrong, Same goes for home birth - obviously. I would be delighted to go to the royal again. its not a hotel, so sometimes its a bit no frills, but medically I thought it was superb.

I had my DS in ERI 2 years ago and they were fantastic. I had to have a CS due to him being breach and got into trouble whilst they were getting him out so they had to operate and give me blood transfusions. I was kept in HDU for a couple of days and then in for another week and they looked after me fantastically well when I was crying, struggling to BF and worrying about my DS losing so much weight. Nothing but good things to say about them.

I've not been to St Johns to give birth but a few weeks after my delivery I had further problems and had to go to St Johns for another operation as ERI full and I would rather go without an operation than go there again. The hospital was filthy, it was a disgrace and the nurses were awful. Not sure what the maternity unit is like but I wouldn't go there given the choice.

I gave birth in August 2010 and thought it was okay - it was very busy, we were the first couple let onto the labour ward that day according to the midwifes and they left me in the waiting room for AGES (so I was fully dilated and ready to push upon getting into the delivery room). Postnatal care was good - the night midwives/nurses were a bit stretched but the day ones were very good and I got lots of support with breastfeeding (stayed two nights to get it sorted as was struggling after first night).