The iconic Glasgow maternity hospital that pioneered modern childbirth

It spearheaded C-sections, ultrasounds, and more.17:00, 19 Jul 2026Being Scotland's largest city, Glasgow is home to many of the country's biggest and most historic hospitals. Each one has their own stories to tell, with millions of patients passing through their doors across their lifetimes. Among the most interesting is the Rottenrow Maternity Hospital.‌The hospital was first founded on Greyfriars Wynd in 1834, with it originally being known as the Glasgow Lying-In Hospital and Dispensary. According to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, many women at the time lacked the money to safely and comfortably have home births.‌As a result, childbirth in lying-in hospitals became more and more prevalent during the mid-1800s. The term 'lying-in' is an archaic and old-fashione