'Glasgow's Rottenrow hospital saved my mother and me'

However, memories of this-much loved building and its marvellous midwives and doctors, live long in the city and further afield.

Established 190 years ago as the Glasgow Lying-In Hospital on Greyfriars Wynd, it moved to the city centre street which gave it its nickname in 1860.

Its proper name was the Royal Maternity Hospital, but everyone knew it as Rottenrow.

Royal Maternity Hospital (Image: Newsquest)

The hospital went on to lead the way in major developments in obstetrics, including Murdoch Cameron’s pioneering work in caesarean sections, Munro Kerr’s research into maternal mortality, and Ian Donald’s development of ultrasound scanning. Rottenrow also became internationally renowned as a leading training centre in midwifery.

It was demolished in 2001, and a beautiful garden has been created on the site, in the heart of the University of Strathclyde's campus.

The original entranceway (Image: Newsquest)

Caroline Simpson got in touch after reading our recent feature on the hospital.

“I was born at Rottenrow in June 1961,” she explains.

Caroline's identity bracelet from Rottenrow (Image: Caroline Simpson)

“I still have the identity bracelet which was put on me - pink and white beads, spelling out my surname.

“I was wondering if any other readers still had theirs? Or if anyone knows how long these were used for?”

Christmas babies in 1959 (Image: Newsquest)

Eileen O’Brien’s mum was a midwife at Rottenrow during the war.

“She often talked about having to put mothers and babies under the bed during the Blitz,” says Eileen.

“The midwives took junior doctors out on their rounds to learn midwifery."

Elizabeth Collin got in touch to tell us: “I was born there prematurely in 1941. Still going strong at almost 82 years.”

Iris Graham was born in Rottenrow on October 19, 1956.

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“I was three months premature and weighed only two pounds – if it had not been for the fact that triplets had been born that day, I would have featured in the newspaper,” she explains.

“My mother was very Ill with pre-eclampsia and as a result was unable to see me. My grandparents, who always looked young in age, came to visit me and were only allowed in as the ward sister thought they were my parents.

“There was no high tech baby intensive care then – but Rottenrow saved my mother, and me.”

Pauline Broadley’s daughter was born in Rottenrow in 2000.

“She was 10 weeks premature and had to stay in ICU for five weeks,” she tells us. “From the day she was born I had to sit and look at her from the incubator.

“I could hold her when nurses let me, but she still had some wires attached to her and was fed through a tube with a syringe at first.

“When she was born, she weighed 2lb 15oz - so tiny she could fit in the palm of my hand.

“It was such a scary time becoming a young mum at the age of 18. I ended up with high symptoms of pre-eclampsia that resulted in an early birth by C-section.”

Pauline adds: “My daughter is now a healthy 23 year old, who is a mum herself.  I'm lucky to have her. I know others are not so fortunate.

“My time at Rottenrow was so pleasant - they looked after me and my daughter really well. It's sad that the hospital isn't there now, but the memories always will be.”

And Bob Smith was delighted to spot our story on the much-loved maternity hospital.

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“Thank you for your recent articles highlighting the history of Glasgow's Rottenrow,” he said. “I was born there on Christmas Eve, 1977, and I know my Mum still has fond memories of the staff and the hospital. 

“As a child I remember declaring, with quite some enthusiasm I might add, that I was born in the Rock ‘n’ Roll hospital…”

What are your memories of Rottenrow Maternity Hospital? Get in touch with Times Past to share your stories.

Email ann.fotheringham@glasgowtimes.co.uk or write to Ann Fotheringham, Glasgow Times, 125 Fullarton Drive, Glasgow G32 8FG