The RVI maternity unit is one of the busiest in the North East with around 6000 births each year. It provides general care for pregnant and labouring women as well as more specialist support for more complicated pregnancies and babies who need additional care.
RVI Maternity Assessment Unit
This unit is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week providing support if you have any urgent concerns about you or your baby, which could include:
- your baby’s movements
- any vaginal bleeding
- waters breaking
- mental health concerns
- signs of labour
You can ring the unit for support with any concerns 0191 282 5748
RVI Maternity Unit – Delivery Suite
- 12 birthing rooms, seven have an en-suite toilet
- 1 birth pool
- 6 induction beds (2 bays)
- 2 maternity theatres and a recovery area with 5 beds
- Free TV with Freeview in each birthing room except the pool room
- Birthing balls, floor mats and birthing stools, which are available on request
RVI Maternity Unit – Birthing Centre
This maternity unit specialises in providing midwifery-led care with a range of facilities and it is recommended for women who don’t have any additional medical needs. The criteria to use the birthing centre can be strict around BMI and VBACs but a personalised plan can be discussed and agreed in pregnancy.
- 12 en-suite birthing rooms with air conditioning and adjustable lighting. If you have a straightforward birth in this unit, you and your partner will most probably remain in this room for your entire stay.
- 5 birth pools
- pain relief options: birthing pools, gas & air, diamorphine
- equipment: birth balls, mats, birthing couch, bean bags and floor mats
- facilities: There is an outdoor courtyard and a shared kitchen and day room. Every room has a TV and DVD/CD player
The birthing centre is located on the ground floor of the Leazes Wing.
RVI Postnatal Wards
There are two postnatal wards at the RVI, depending on the level of care you or your baby need. After giving birth in the delivery suite, you will be transferred to one of these wards – at the time of writing this, partners are not allowed to stay overnight.
ward 32 has 18 beds (4 bays and 4 single rooms) – this ward is for straightforward care
ward 33 has 24 beds (6 bays and 2 single rooms) – this ward provides additional care
Fast delivery from the maternity unit is possible as long as you or your baby do not need any further care – your midwife will most likely want to know that your baby is feeding okay and is regulating their own temperature.
Neonatal intensive care unit
There are three areas within the RVI NICU:
- special care – for babies are generally stable
- high dependency – for babies who need support and close observation
- intensive care – for babies who need the highest level of care
If your baby needs this additional level of care you will be kept informed, you can ask questions and you will be encouraged to be with your baby.
RVI Maternity Unit – Parking
There are several free maternity parking bays outside the Leazes Wing, but you need to be in labour to park there. Talk to reception in the delivery suite/birthing centre – they might ask for your car registration number.
The RVI has on-site car parks – if your stay as a patient exceeds 4 hours, ask about a long stay concession to cap the price at £8.00.
Roadside parking – along Richardson Road, which is nearest to the Leazes Wing, as well as on the other side of the hospital on Claremont Road.
Royal Victoria Infirmary
Leazes Wing, Queen Victoria Road Newcastle NE1 4LP
As a Newcastle doula, I have attended many births here – from straightforward to more complicated labours, with parents with differing needs. On the whole, I have found midwives to be supportive, helpful, skilled and professional and while the RVI has a focus on individualised care, it still has to adhere to a range of policies and procedures.
It can make a difference to:
* ask questions and be involved in your care
* take familiar items in with you such as your birth ball, a floor mat, pillow
* know how labour and birth works and what can make a difference
* know more about where the challenges can be and what you might need
* communicate well with a flexible birth plan
As a birth practitioner for over 20 years, I have taught antenatal classes at the RVI, I have helped many expectant parents to prepare for birth at the RVI, I have birthed there and I have attended as a birth doula with many parents.
The RVI maternity unit is busy, providing care for families with a range of medical needs during pregnancy, labour & birth and the early days and weeks with your baby.
Good communication and preparation, along with knowing your options, as well as how the unit works can make a difference to your care.
With consultations, I work with parents during pregnancy, for birth and throughout life with a young family. Let me know if you have any questions or if you would like to arrange a conversation to talk about your birth and baby preparation.
an antenatal and postnatal specialist
My face-to-face consultations are ideal for parents across Newcastle & Tyneside. With Zoom sessions, I work with parents and families everywhere.
How can I help you?