Rotunda or Holles street?

I've had all 3 in the rotunda, despite living on the southside of Dublin, which would mean I automatically would have been sent to holles Street. I know a lot of people that have gone to holles street and were fine, but i also know a good few that werent and received awful care, so much so, its put them off returning, or even having any more children. I went public in the rotunda and I couldn't fault them at all. All 3 pregnancies were very different, saw A LOT of different teams for different things, A&E in there for bleeding on 2 of them early on etc. They were amazing. Also, bleeding at any stage isn't normal, common yes, but not normal (see the difference there) and should always be investigated and noted. Congratulations and hope you find a hospital that you're happy and comfortable with.

I went with the Rotunda and had a great experience, both during a miscarriage and then the birth of my beautiful baby boy. Holles st was used by my friend and she had a good experience there too. Basically for us it came down to location, we could drive easily to the Rotunda (had 2 emergencies so travel time is important) and parking is capped at €6, parking in holles st is an expensive nightmare.

Sorry to hear your worries weren’t taken seriously by Holles St. I had both my babies there and had a good experience overall. If you’d feel more comfortable with the Rotunda then go with them.

What’s the time difference to travel to either of them from your house?

Also, having health insurance doesn’t help that much with the cost of private care here. I think it would have been an extra 4k even with standard coverage from Laya Healthcare so I went public both times.

Appointments seem to be quicker for private patients but since I never needed a consultant for either of my births, midwives looked after me through everything, going public worked well for me.

Congratulations on your pregnancy and I hope you get some reassurance next week.

Thanks so much for all your help. I actually live in Wexford so either will be a trek but I work in dublin and parents live in dublin and I think the rotunda actually might be more convenient for work. Will just see what happens during the next week 🙏🤞

It’s definitely something to keep in mind how easy it is to get there from work for your many appointments!

I went with the rotunda which was an easier location for me but I think if I was still on the south side and had the option of both I would still go with the rotunda. Much easier to get parking in and access. I have to say they were fantastic in the rotunda. If you didn’t get a good vibe on your first call go with your gut. I couldn’t fault the rotunda at all.

Yeah I think I’m going to go with the rotunda , thanks ladies as you say I’m just going with my gut that my first experience was so positive with the rotunda . Let’s just hope this baby sticks now 🥰🤞🙏

I’m missed the end of your message. I chose to go public in the rotunda. I could have gone private or semi but there is no difference in care if you have a high risk
Pregnancy.

I’m at NMH and other than the receptionist all the staff there have been lovely. It’s my first and I moved here from the U.K. so they’ve all been very helpful and supportive. So maybe you were unfortunate and caught the midwife on a bad day?

I've heard many good stories about both Holles Street and Rotunda. Personally I'm at Rotunda. Cannot complain at the care at all. If you want a home birth Holles Street is much better though, or if you want a doula to attend your birth (Rotunda doesn't currently allow). Maybe the midwife had a bad day that day, but just go with your gut.

Thanks so much we live in Wexford so defo won’t be having a home birth. Although does anyone know if the rotunda have a pool/ baths for labour?
Yeah I’m sure I just caught her at a bad time, I know there are staff shortages everywhere at the moment , obviously not a reflection on the hospital as a whole x

I was always planning on going with holles street as I knew so many that went there and had great experiences and the few I knew who went to the rotunda had bad ones. Like yourself I had bleeding early on so my doctor sent me straight into the rotunda based on my address. From that first appointment I went with my gut as the care I received from the minute I went in from every single staff member was next to none. And yes they do have a pool for water birth that is available on a first come first serve basis as there is only one. I had originally requested a water birth and the support I received was amazing from every single mid wife and doctor when we talked/planned for it. In the end baby girl was breech so I had to be booked in for a c section which I was devastated about after having my birth plan all worked out for so long. All the midwives shared in my disappointment and never judged me for being so disheartening but in the end even the c section turned out to be amazing

*continued* due to their care. I cannot fault any staff in the rotunda as they made my experience for the whole of my pregnancy so good. I was also public and had no different/sometimes better care then a family member who went private there.

Thanks Sarah , I’m so torn whether to just go for an elective c section as my last birth was All quite chaotic with the pre-eclampsia. I know the rotunda have a clinic especially for vaginal birth after c section so I might try start along those lines but if anything come up just go for the elective c as I know what to expect and actually that part was so lovely. Just worried about looking after my toddler right after c section etc.. My original plan was to labour in water for a bit but not deliver in it until everything didn’t go to plan.

I'd not get your hopes up high when it comes to birth pools in any of the hospitals around Dublin... Sadly they're all first come first serve. I'd love to have a water birth but not counting on it honestly. Also as far as I've heard only Coombe allows you to give birth in the pool. The others only allow it during labour and once the baby comes you have to get out.

Hollestreet I had my 3 boys in there they are lovely in there