Private or NHS at Kingston Hospital?

[HappyUKMom]

I will be having my 4th (and final) c-section next month. I have had NHS care up to this point but because a c-section is medically necessary, our private insurance is willing to cover most of the cost of a private delivery. My other 3 babies were born abroad so having a baby here is new to me.

I have an appointment with Dr. Chow at 38 weeks, who is able to do the procedure privately next month. Ironically, I am also assigned to him through the NHS (although I'm aware that it's most likely a registrar that would do the procedure and not Dr. Chow).

With this being my 4th baby, I'm concerned about extra pain from scar tissue, etc... and wondered if taking the private route would ensure better pain relief options than the standard paracetamol and ibuprofen commonly prescribed by NHS? Maybe not?

Also, I wanted to stay in a private room to ensure as much sleep as possible through the nights at hospital. I want to go home to our 3 other children as rested as possible. A midwife told me last week that at Kingston hospital, NHS c-section mothers and babies are placed in single rooms at Worcester Suite that husbands are also allowed to stay overnight in? Does anyone have experience with this?

I'm starting to wonder if the private route is worth the cost (even though we can afford it, it is a stretch and we'd gladly have that money for other things-even to keep as savings!).

If you've had a c-section at Kingston, either privately or NHS, can you please share as much advice as you're willing?

[Tea1Sugar]

Me! I had a fantastic elcs 10 days ago at Kingston. It was NHS but I had a consultant anaesthetist and senior registrar obstetrician. I was low risk. We spent four hours in recovery whilst spinal wore off then we're transferred to a private room with ensuite in Worcester ward where dp had a recliner chair/bed and stayed with me for 3 nights. I was allowed to go home after 2 but asked to stay an extra night and they were fab. Postnatal care in Worcester was amazing. It's the low-risk postnatal ward. For women who've had a tough labour or csection they go to Thameside or Transitional Wards and as far as I know partners can't stay overnight as they are multibed wards.

[HappyUKMom]

I can't thank you enough for your response. I'm happy for you that you had such a positive experience at Kingston. I am leaning more and more towards NHS. How was your pain management after coming home?

[Tea1Sugar]

During the op they gave me a diclofenac suppository which lasted ages, then during the three days I was there I was given paracetamol and oral diclofenac, then from day 4 onwards (at home) I've been on ibuprofen and paracetamol. I wasn't sent home with anything which apparently is standard. The woman in the next room though was on morphine so perhaps it's dependent on pain threshold/allergies etc?

[HappyUKMom]

Thank you for these details. Did you feel that the paracetamol and ibuprofen were sufficient once you were home? Also, congratulations on your baby! What an exciting and special time it is when there is a newborn around.

[Tea1Sugar]

The first day or two at home, no. So my dp bought some voltarol from boots (brand name of diclofenac but lower dose than in hospital) and I used that instead of ibuprofen. After a few days I ditched it. I'm day 11 now and require about 2 doses of paracetamol and 2 doses of ibuprofen a day

[HappyUKMom]

I can't thank you enough for this information. I wouldn't know about voltarol without your help. Thank You.

[Tea1Sugar]

You're welcome