Private Birth means Private Scans?

[Coronet08]

Had my midwife appointment at Kensington Wing recently, and it has left me rather confused: the advice was to cancel my antenatal care with NHS and go do all the scans and appointments privately, not necessarily with the same hospital - but with Harley St?
We are focusing our (not infinite) financial resources to ensure the best possible birth, given it's a late first child for us and an IUI baby. Our experience with NHS has been chaotic admin but the tests have been excellent and thorough, eg. 12 week scan and all other conversations. If anything, more thorough than Ken Wing appointments so far.
Has anyone stuck with NHS for as much as possible, and only given birth privately? I don't see the point in paying for the private scans and appointments which don't add extra value.

[ghislaine]

Yes, I’ve done this - twice. NHS for everything and then transferred to private care for the birth (c-sections). One baby at the Portland and one at the London wing. I never had any issues and just brought my NHS notes to my pre-section appointments.

[ghislaine]

Bloody auto correct! Lindo wing.

[Coronet08]

Thank you ghislaine, that's reassuring!
I'm not sure why they would say that private approach is better for scans, and best to keep consistently private care. Surely they are similar but you get them as extra when you're worried about the baby/want reassurance/etc.
Sounds like "upselling"!

[Bobbieblu]

@Coronet08 what did you decide to do in the end. I’m also with the Kensington wing and was given the same advice. I had my 12 week scan through the nhs and they were brilliant and I’m booked in for my 20 week scan through the nhs too. There after if I need more scans I guess I’ll have to book them privately. Are you doing consultant led or midwife led?

[Coronet08]

@bobbieblu ahh, must've been the same midwife :)
I'm sticking with NHS for all antenatal: just had my 20 week scan and despite a bit of a queue it was very detailed, I don't think you would expect anything over and above at a private practice. Additional scans could be useful for a peace of mind way after 20 weeks but not instead of... I'm also getting 34 week scan on nhs to check if the low lying placenta has moved up, so if they think you need more scans they will book those straight away.
I'm midwive led at KW: after a lot of research into stats/interventions, as a healthy 35 year old there is no reason to get extra doctor involvement. I still get "link consultant" (lovely Nick Wales) who I will meet in person, and they will come in labour if needed (or send someone equivalent, but availability of a specific consultant is not guaranteed with consultant led service either). Hoping for a natural birth but keeping all options open, for which midwive care is great as they will 'pass you on' if there are any complications; and the rate of interventions is lower.