CS at Portland (medical, covered by insurance, so basic only) - which consultant, what to exp etc

[Sal22]

Hi. It's now final that I need to have a cs, and, having asked around on Mumsnet, I've decided to go to the Portland. BUPA will cover the op itself and the hospital for up to 4 nights, but no further antenatal tests etc. My NHS GP has been lovely though and said not to worry, that I can continue having those at the practice (budget not stretching to private medical care).

So I've got two questions:

1. Which consultant would you suggest for the cs? (I've heard good things of dr Donald Gibb, but please feel free to suggest any others or your experiences)
   
   
2. What should I expect from the hospital? Since I won't be going to them for tests etc beforehand, do I just turn up on the agreed day for the operation etc? Sorry, probably such a stupid question... Obviously I'll ask the consultant and hospital too, but just wondered.

[Sal22]

Oh yes, and one last question: approx how much earlier do you generally have to deliver baby? baby's edd would have been the 13th of april. thanks again.

[spudballoo]

I had Donald Gibb, I didn't love him I must say. My baby was diagnosed with a brain abnormality by him during a scan at 32 weeks. He took me downstairs to the FMC for an emergency scan, I turned around and he'd gone...he left me there on my own, without asking if he could call my husband or someone to be with me. I thought it was really poor for the gigantic fee I paid him for my antenatal care.

His bedside manner is rather cold. That said he delivered my baby safely, and I recovered fast my section, and my scar is almost invisible a year on.

You would generally be delivered at around 39 weeks unless it would be medically unsafe for you to go in to labour at all, as it was for me. So I was delivered at 38 weeks.

x

PS you need to make sure your baby goes on to your BUPA as soon as its born in case it needs any medical attention whilst in teh Portland, otherwise you will end up with a hefty bill.

[Sal22]

Hi Spudballoo. Thanks very much for the honest and informative reply. I can't believe you were just left on your own like that - I am often amazed to see how the importance of the "human touch" is ignored just when you need it the most! Glad to hear you and your baby recovered fine though.

I called Dr Gibb's offices earlier (before your post), and his fees are rather high - BUPA will only cover 25% thereof. So I'm now considering another consultant, but obviously don't want to risk baby's health. One of the names given to me by BUPA (that charges mostly within BUPA guidelines) is Dr Joseph Iskaros, so I'm trying to find reviews for him as well.

[hifi]

jordan, aka katie price had him.

[Sal22]

Hi hifi. Sorry, but who did she have? Dr Gibb or Iskaros? Thanks.

[Sal22]

Ah, just did a searh - Dr Gibb. I really should stop being so lazy and look before I ask things.

[Abara]

Sal 22

You asked what to expect from the hosptial. I had a cs on the 30th January 08 at the Portland. however, before the CS, i attended all my antenatal and tests etc at my local GP on the NHS till i was 39 weeks when i had my appointment for the CS. I attended the Portland for a preadmission assessment and then went back two weeks after for the CS. Met the consultant Mr Kunde (from the Lansdell Suite) in the morning for a chat and a discussion on the procedure and my medical history. he had already had sight of my medical history and tests. so the

it all went well had my baby on the 30th in thw afternoon. the care was good.

[Sal22]

Hi Abara. Thanks for sharing this, it's good to hear that the shared care worked well and that you felt the care was good. I can't believe how fast the time has flown - less than 6 weeks to go now!

Congratulations on your baby.

x
S

[notmyrtle]

I wouldn't recommend Dr Gibb - my friend had a terrible time with him in her pregnancy with twins. Is Kevin Harrington still there? He did all my antenatal care & was fantastic (high risk pregnancy) but didn't do the delivery.

(just checked their website & he is)

[HarrietTheSpy]

I'm going to pile in here. I had Dr Gibb for some ante natal care/scans, etc. I saw him for a condition which I thought was obstetric cholestasis - found him less knowledgable than the NHS consultant I ended up following up with...also...[she speaks with trepidation] he failed to diagnose/alert me to potentially serious symptoms in a second pregnancy which ended up failing. To be fair to him, it's an area of pregnancy where, I've subsequently learned, people frequently receive bad advice. But the upshot is, the NHS doctors were more investigative both times I encountered a potential problem. I actually liked his bedside manner overall and friends he's delivered say he's pro natural birth etc, pos towards VBAC, etc. So, it's very possible it might go swimmingly. But if you encounter anything irregular, I would consider getting a second opinion.

[Sal22]

I've booked wit Dr Gibb in the end, but appreciate the posts and experiences. If anything irregular happens, I will get a second opinion as advised, thanks. To be honest, except for the fact that I need a cs (but this is related to my pelvis, no other strange health symptoms), I'm having a very healthy and straight forward pregnancy.

Thanks all.