Maternity at RIE

[BenTheScullery]

I'm due to have c section at RIE shortly and just wondered if anyone had given birth there recently (within the last year)?

I'd be grateful to hear about your experience, especially if you had a section but equally just about your experience on the post natal ward, etc.

TIA x

Not been yet but hopefully in the next few days!!

But have you watched the virtual tour they have? I really liked that. I know it's not peoples experiences but it was nice to see it all!

@edin16 Yeah I watched it. It was good to see what the maternity area of the hospital looked like etc.

I'm a bit disappointed about the lack of info on their website about their policies on elective Caesarean sections. Other trusts (like NHS Fife) seem to have far more info available.

I have my pre-op appointment 3 days before the surgery so can ask all of my questions then but it'd be good to know a bit further in advance what to expect.

Is this your first baby? X

@BenTheScullery
I've just come back from a few days on the post natal ward so can give you some insite.
What would you like to know?

The midwives were all lovely and if you needed anything they were there to do it straight away when you buzzed. The ward was very busy and pretty load from what I saw (I had a private room) but that's to be expected. It was insanely hot because it was during the really warm weather so pack plenty of light clothes. The food was, erm.... average, but it was great having dessert at lunch time! But i would suggest bring lots of yummy snacks to get you through!

They seemed very keen to discourage caesareans...

I was given lots of reasons why they were risky and they would only be done (given) as a last resort. I was given the impression I’d have had to really insist.

@edin16 Congratulations on the arrival of your little one! I'm glad to hear you found the midwives and aftercare to be good.

Just a few questions:

Did you have a VB or a CS?
How long was your birth partner allowed to stay after baby arrived?
Did you have a Covid test when you were admitted?

I was anticipating the food being a bit 🥴 so will definitely pack some goodies!

I visited a friend on the post natal ward just before lockdown and remember the sweltering heat well. I was only there an hour and felt very uncomfortable so have bought magicool spray to help cool off 👍🏼

@fascinated it's a shame you had that experience, I found the process of requesting and being granted an ELCS very straightforward. Saying that, my consultant did say it's luck of the draw with regards to who you get and how supportive they are of maternal choice.

Have you had your baby yet?

I had an ELCS on 1st April following an EMCS in 2016.

My experience was great both times. This time myself and DH went in first thing to get prepped for the op. He was allowed straight in and I was taken into theatre around 9.30am.

Op was fine apart from blood pressure dropping and feeling sick/dizzy. DH was allowed to stay until we were moved into post natal ward which took about an hour after the operation.

Post natal ward was great. Pretty quiet compared to first time as people were leaving quickly after giving birth. Midwives were brilliant and there to help lift baby etc. Felt very comfortable getting breast feeding started given that there was only me and one other mum in the room.

We were discharged around lunch time the following day and DH had to meet us downstairs at the door. Midwives help you down with your bags.

All in all a really positive experience when I was feeling pretty apprehensive as it was just after lockdown started.

Anything specific you would like to know?

To be fair, if I’d gone in all guns blazing I might have had less resistance. I didn’t feel it was unreasonable, more that they were being very honest with me. I was generally very well treated and not pressured into anything, although I did have an independent midwife who was advising me so I felt very confident arguing my case. I wasn’t really seeking a CS, it was just a discussion about options early on and they were keen to make CS sound like a real last resort from THEIR perspective.

Everyone else I know who has had a section there was fine with it! Mostly emergency though, in my friendship group.

@Ready4abreak Thank you for sharing your experience, that's really helpful.

As this is my first I don't really know what to expect, especially with the current covid measures in place, so it's good to hear from others who have been in my situation recently.

I'm not overly concerned about the section itself, it's more so the immediate recovery and how long DH will be allowed to stay with us. It's reassuring that the midwives are on hand to help as I've heard horror stories before about them being too busy to assist new mums and with birth partners and visitors not currently allowed on the ward their support is more important than ever.

I'm hoping to breastfeed too so any help they can provide with that would be greatly appreciated. Hopefully I can get home the following day as you did.

Congratulations on the arrival of your new addition.

@BenTheScullery

I had a normal birth so it all be a bit different for you. My partner stayed for a couple of hours before we were transferred to the labour ward but our baby ended up going to the nicu so he was allowed to come back and visit in there.
There was never really much mentioned about COVID. I wasn't tested or asked anything and they made a passing question about my partner being fit and healthy but that was about it. The midwifes all wore masks the whole time and didn't enter or leave a room without putting on a new apron, hand sanitiser and gloves.