RVI - Experiences?

Mine was 18 months ago and I actually had my birth reflection last week. I had mine on delivery suite for induction. Fab experience on delivery suite, me and my son both became unwell during delivery (no fault of anyone) and they were incredible. Honestly so fantastic. I have however made a formal complaint on the post natal ward as I genuinely would have been better cared for at home overnight. The midwife who did our reflection actually said they’ve had several similar complaints to mine and are trying to improve x

I gave birth in July and had a great experience. Midwives we’re lovely and I stayed two nights. They let me swap over my birthing partners to my mum to stay with me on the first night before being on the ward the second night. Baby was blue when she came out. They were short staffed and birthing centre was closed but as soon as the midwife pressed the emergency button there was around 10 extra people in the room. Couldn’t fault them at all (apart from the arsey lady at reception who wouldn’t let me though even though it was clear I was in labour all because I didn’t know my nhs number) 😅 - I was 7cm by this point haha

My experience was amazing tbh, the staff were all so lovely, the aftercare was amazing too, my little boy was in the special care unit for 6 hours after birth as he took a minute to breath after birth (the staff were incredible and reassuring allowing my partner to stay with him the entire time) and they took such good care of him and took all precautions necessary and had him started on anti biotics straight away in case he had an infection (luckily didnt). The nursery nurses and midwives were so supportive and gave constant reassurance if I needed any help with breastfeeding and ensuring he was checked over when his breathing was still concerning, I think people have different experiences everywhere, I hope wherever you choose all goes well for you and baby x

I gave birth 18 months ago with my first son, and I honestly couldn’t fault them. I was in natural labour for 24 hours before an emergency c section. They kept offering pain relief but I never accepted, did it all naturally up until my ECS. The midwife’s that looked after us, was with me throughout the whole experience and the surgery team, I can’t fault in the slightest. In fact they put both of us at ease and without them we probably wouldn’t of been as calm as we were and our son wouldn’t of been born to “let me entertain you, by Robbie Williams” Recovery side of things, I can’t fault either. We were looked after immensely, I’m now pregnant with our second and will be choosing the RVI again.

Had my first 3 at south shields but couldn't have my 4th there so had her at the RVI in May Antenatal and delivery ward were amazing but one head midwife on the post delivery ward had a Hitler complex and thought she knew it all (even when the senior consultant said otherwise) Other staff were great, just this 1 old battle axe ruined my experience

Ok pre term labour, emergency c section, twins at 34+4 with Twin 1 breech. The good: 1. I was scared as hell about the c section and they were so brilliant at calming me down. 2. I was very high risk, lost a lot of blood and Twin 2 was immediately wheeled away to special care. Despite this they managed to keep me calm and I just felt like my babies and I were safe. Surgery team in general were fantastic - my scar is so tiny you can barely see it! 3. Recovery room was very chilled out and the midwife really lovely and helpful 4. I had to go to transitional care with Twin 1 as she needed a feeding tube and heat pad. Every single midwife, nurse and healthcare assistant on that ward was lovely. By the end of my stay they were popping round my bedside for a chat and just to check in on me. 5. Special care team were brilliant - they really helped me through the stress of separation, seeing my baby on a ventilator and the decisions I needed to make. Tiny Lives charity were EXCELLENT.

6. I have been given so much support even leaving the hospital - appointments with the infant feeding team, referral to breastfeeding support and provided with hospital equipment to help me at home. The bad: 1. I was there for 17 days. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. Those wards were not designed as maternity wards and there was very little space. 2. Husbands cannot stay and I was very sleep deprived waking 3 hourly to feed my premie baby. The midwives/nursery nurses would help out where they could but (through no fault of their own) they were often understaffed. 3. The food….and I’m not fussy! Happy to answer any specific questions you might have about the recovery. Personally I would suffer through it all again as the care my twins received was absolutely fantastic. If I had been out within 48 hours with two healthy babies I would have no issues with the RVI at all ☺️

@Heather I had such a similar experience with the one person on delivery! X

13 months ago for me. There were good parts and bad parts, but I have just started therapy for PTSD due to the bad parts! I believe the maternity department at the RVI was put into special measures earlier this year.

@Bethan older lady? Apparently it's a common occurrence

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/health/rvi-maternity-nhs-cqc-improvement-26895089.amp#cobssid=s

I gave birth 4 weeks ago today at the RVI. My waters broke the early hours so when I went in to be checked, they realised baby was back to back and even though I wasn’t dilated enough they kept me in basically because of the pain I was in due to position. The labour & delivery went smoothly apart from one thing which was absolutely no one’s fault but the anaesthetist during placing my epidural was called to an emergency in theatre and I was left with it half in for a good hour till someone came to connect it. Again like I said, absolutely no one’s fault. Straight after birth was spot on, baby was full of mucus and I lost a lot of blood so everyone came in to help and got us sorted.

The post natal care following this on the other hand was a bit iffy, I just felt left, that’s the only way I can describe it is left. Baby wasn’t weighed for a good 4 hours after birth which kind of annoyed me. I had 1 midwife come in, introduce herself then was told she had to go somewhere else id get someone else. Another midwife came in and said she would pop in and out as was caring for other new mothers. She came in maybe twice each time saying she’d come straight back as requested things but was away for ages. I wasn’t asked if I wanted any food, a drink, nothing, after 2 hours pushing I’m sorry but I was starving 🤣 was offered painkillers but still waiting for those 🥴🤣 I wouldn’t rate the aftercare but everything else was absolutely fine ☺️ I also totally understand they’re understaffed right now so really can’t blame the midwives at all 😣

@Heather I think so, it was hard to tell as everyone had masks on! I brought this up at my reflection and they actually gave me a name of who it was based on my notes. I had a hypo and had quite a significant haemorrhage so kept going faint when I stood up so was instructed to use a bedpan for 12 hours, this one midwife refused and made me crawl back from the toilet and then when I had another hypo and couldn’t get my sons spare clothes out the bag after he vomited blood she refused to help me and left us both covered. Yes the midwife who did my reflection said unfortunately they are aware of poor treatment on postnatal x

@Bethan I second this!

Gave birth 5 months ago. Had a great experience on the induction ward and delivery suite however the aftercare on the ward was abysmal unfortunately.

I’ve had both of my daughters at the RVI, the first in 2021 in the birthing centre and my second in June this year in the delivery suite with an overnight stay. I honestly could fault them at all, both such lovey birth experiences and the one in June didn’t go quite as smoothly as hoped but all of the staff I met were lovely. X

I had the most amazing experience at the RVI. I was in labour for 48 hours so had a number of midwives, each lady was just lovely. The team carrying out my c section were amazing- it was midnight & they were back to back with emergencies but took the most fantastic care of us. Post delivery was fine too but I did have my own room so appreciate it must be very different on the wards. I wouldnt hesitate to go back. Good luck!xxx

First experience was in May ‘22, started on induction ward, gave birth on the delivery ward, moved for recovery down into the birthing suite and bagged a private room. Couldn’t fault them. Lovely experience and staff were friendly and efficient. Second experience August this year, went in in labour, assessed and found to be 5-6cm so straight to the delivery suite, fabulous experience during labour and delivery and again faultless and friendly staff. Onto a ward for recovery which was busy but still felt I had plenty of privacy and was still able to have visitors. Both times I gave birth in the morning and both times I was home after lunch.

I gave birth in June, I had an elective section. The whole operation went absolutely amazing and ran so smoothly I loved every second and would do it again in a heartbeat. I was on the recovery ward from 10am -7pm kept telling me they were putting me on the postnatal ward but were waiting for a bed, kept saying they were going to come and clean me down this didn’t happen till about 6pm, didn’t empty my catheter till just before I got moved wards and the nurse had to do my baby’s blood sugars with me having gestational diabetes she done it 3 times and failed each time, trying to squeeze the blood out of his foot he was screaming. Then the post natal ward was just a disaster, couldn’t obviously get out of bed or do anything on my own and just felt like an absolute nuisance when having to ring the buzzer. In the end I just started trying to do things myself! Xxx

Thank you everyone for sharing ❤️ certainly a mixed bag. I don't give much weight to CQC reports personally, though they do provide some food for thought. Really appreciate your insights, it's definitely helped me weigh up my options xx

@Natasha I find it highly insulting that you think women on this post, myself included, would “exaggerate” or “make things worse for themselves”. I’m pleased to hear you had a good experience but do not belittle other’s experiences!