Edinburgh & Lothians: St John’s or Royal Infirmary?

[Freckle1]

Hi Edinburgh based mums and parents, I was wondering if anyone has recent experiences of giving birth at the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh or St Johns in Livingston? I did a search for previous threads on this but could only find quite old ones and I’d love some more recent information on what it’s like? I’d like to be able to better picture what to expect. Thanks!

Have messaged you

I gave birth in both, Twice in St Johns and once in RIE.
The second time at St Johns only as there were no spaces for me at RIE.
My birth experience at RIE ( elective c section) far outweighed that of St John (v delivery and planned section)
My first birth at St Johns was badly managed and resulted in a traumatic time. That was 20 years ago and 6 years later the consultant I saw to book an elective c section with my second, still remembered me from the delivery.
I had the c section at RIE and it was great. Staff were lovely, helpful as they could be and it was a pleasant time.
I had my last baby in 2017 at St. John's and it was awful again, they overdosed me on the spinal for my c section and caused my blood pressure to crash for over an hour before I could actually have my son delivered.
The staff on the wards were not so friendly and had to wait ages for painkillers etc.

I had my baby in St Johns a couple of weeks ago

The hospital itself is slightly dated / not very fancy. However, I had an amazing experience and honestly could not have had better care from the staff.

Almost everything about my birth was the opposite of what I wanted; I wanted a water birth, minimal intervention, etc. I ended up having to be induced due to reduced growth, on a hormone drip and an insulin drip, continuous monitoring, etc. Laboured for 10 hours without dilating at all. Had an epidural. Still didn’t dilate. Baby’s heart rate dropped and I had to have an emergency c-section. So it really couldn’t have gone less to plan!

But, despite that, it was a great experience because I was so well informed and looked after and supported by the midwives and consultants. At every stage they talked to me about my options, listened to my concerns, and made sure I was happy with what was happening. They were unbelievably kind and supportive and reassuring.

I would recommend them to anyone because I truly don’t think I could have had better care.

I lived and worked at the RIE but chose to have both babies at St John's. Much smaller and less busy. I couldn't fault the care - wonderful midwives. This was 3 years ago

I have had two at st. John's and have to say that whilst individual midwives are lovely the care was below par. I had to beg for painkillers otherwise would not be given any and had a section due to a failed induction. The induction partly failed because it was too early and also that I was given the drugs in the wrong order. I was in for 10 days before they finally did a section. I was also discharged without blood thinning injections.

With my second child it was a planned section as I didn't go into labour by 40 weeks. That was much better, although I wasn't given any food in recovery, after I had not eaten all day and again had to ask for painkillers four hourly. Most worrying was when my blood pressure dropped during the section and noone noticed, my dh had to get the anaesthetists attention as I managed to whisper that I felt sick. I delivered in 2016 and 2017.

We are trying for another baby and I am very nervous about delivering at St John's again. In my experience it is less busy overall but they are short-staffed and overworked.

My sil has delivered at both and said the care was not better in one over the other. I woupd go with which is closest to you, that would mean it would be easier for your partner to get to you should you have to stay in.

I had my baby at RIE in June.

I had a c-section and the theatre staff were all amazing! I felt so relaxed and looked after. They were all friendly and reassuring. The midwife in recovery was also really good.

However, when I got to the ward I felt a bit abandoned. The day shift midwife was nice enough and helped when I asked but she was the only one covering the ward and was stretched. The night shift staff were terrible! Unfriendly and unhelpful. As a first time mum, on my own (due to Covid), I wasn't impressed with the 'care' I received following major surgery.

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences! It’s a difficult decision which one to choose but you’ve given me some more insight into each which is great!

I had my son in RIE and had a planned CS which went wrong with major blood loss but they were amazing and I was vey well looked after.

Hello! Anxiously following. Did you make any decision? I'm currently under Larbert but may need to transfer to St. John's. Larbert for my first baby had some of the hallmarks of the above, begging for pain relief, was 6cm dilated before I was checked despite being induced...
Also felt a bit abandoned afterwards, baby had trouble feeding, we had to stay in for 4 days and I was pretty postnatally depressed. Felt like I was bothering the staff asking questions or for help.
I was in a single room though and I really don't think I would cope well on a ward, do you know the ratio of single rooms to bays at St. John's at all?