Help - which maternity hopsital in Glasgow?

[flossy]

Hi,

This is my first post. I'm eight weeks tomorrow and my boyfriend lives in America and I haven't seen him since the surprise news, just talked on the phone. Although happy, I'm terrified and haven't told anyone else. Everything I read just makes me feel like I'm doing everything wrong. Last night I ripped out bendy wire from my underwired bar with pliers and I'm so scared about not eating the right things that I think I'm eating too much in between feeling sick and horrible.

Anyway, how are we supposed to know which maternity hospital to pick? I live in Glasgow and get to pick between the Queen Mums, Southern and Princess Royal. The Queen Mums is probably the closest, but has anyone heard anything about them, or been to any of them? Help!

 

[LaineyG]

Hi Flossy!

I had my baby in the Queen Mothers. I come from outside Glasgow and was told to go there because of medical problems.

I'll try and give you a run down on what I know about the Glasgow hospitals!

Southern General - Will soon be taking over from the, soon to be closed, Queen Mum's. It will be the centre of excellence for Glasgow maternity service (and is pretty much that now). Not sure where abouts you are, but the Queen Mum's and the SouGen are only 10 mins apart. Just recently been refurbished, so is all nice and clean and sparkly!

Queen Mum's - The old centre of excellence (I was born there as my mum is diabetic and I needed a bit of time in Yorkhill after I was born). The building is ancient, falling apart and a bit clatty looking. The facilities are good, you'll get excellent care there and it is of course linked to Yorkhill and the Western, so lots of specialists on hand if you ever (pray you never) need them!

Princess Royal - By the sounds of your location you have to take into consideration the fact that you will most probably have to negotiate the Kingston Bridge to get to it. Fine for routine appointments, but bar using an ambulance, useless in rush hour (or any hour for that matter ). I was almost sent to the Princess Royal as the Queen Mum's prefer you to go there if there is a chance that you require Intensive Care before or after the birth. The Queen Mum's doesn't have an ICU, and the Southern does have one, but it is in another building, a bit away from the Mat Unit. The Pricess Royal has a ICU in the same building as the Mat Unit. I was also put off the Princess Royal because it's where the drug addicts get sent to have their babies (and it is actually a world leader in heroin withdrawl in newborns). This is my personal opinion, but I deal with addicts on a daily basis and I've dealt with babies going through withdrawl and I just didn't want to have to face either at what I classed as a special time in my life!

You'll more than likely have a happy and healthy 9 months, and unless you have any medical problems then most of your care will be done by the MW at your doctors surgery, and therfore only be at the hospital to have your baby!

Feel free to PM me if you want to ask me anything!

xxx

 

[flossy]

Hi Lainey,

That's really helpful. Thanks

 

[ellanor]

hi flossy,
congratulations on your pregnancy!
i live in the west end and was given the queen mums as it's the closest to me.
as this is my first pregnancy i had no experience of any maternity unit but when i told my mum she was really pleased as she had my 4 year old brother at the queen mums and said it was fantastic.
i've also spoken to friends/colleagues who have used the queen mums and they only have praise for the care they received there.
so far i've had two scans-one at a local health centre (which is linked to the hospital) and the other at the queen mums and have been impressed by what i saw.
obviously it's up to you but if the queen mums is the easiest location for you then i definately wouldn't rule it out.
hope everything goes well for you, give me a pm if you want to chat
ellanor x

 

[flossy]

Hi Ellanor,

Thanks for the reply. I was at my doctors on Friday and he made me pick there and then and I went for the Queen Mums, so it was really nice to get your message. Good luck with everything!