Lindo Wing...costing queries?

[Laurengrapes]

Hi all, this is my first post here! My hubby and I want to start TTC but I have a severe fear of childbirth and my local hospitals don't allow 'requested' elective c-sections for non-medical reasons, so I've been looking into private hospitals.

I got a price list from BUPA who deal with the Lindo Wing and they quoted £13,500 as a 'complete' package. However I've just looked at the Imperial website for Lindo and for the first 24hrs of care (inc. procedure) plus two extra nights staying there it comes to just under £9000.

I understand the BUPA package starts from 32 weeks whereas the Imperial is procedure only, but is it worth going direct or through BUPA? Is the extra 6 weeks worth it? Or is NHS care fine for before the big day?

Thanks in advance! :)

[Laurengrapes]

Anyone have any views?

[aylesburyduck]

I have no advice as regards giving birth at the Lindo Wing.

Given that most mothers are cared for by NHS midwives, I am fairly confident that the care they will provide will ensure you have a healthy pregnancy.

[fgr]

The only problem you may have leaving it until 32 weeks is that the consultants will be fully booked. The best ones grt snapped up as soon as the line shows on the test.

[grove10]

Hi - will send you a personal message. You'll see a notification on top right corner of screen under Mumnet icon.

[HVB79]

No experience of the Lindo wing I'm afraid but would highly recommend the midwife led unit at st Mary's, not really like being in a hospital and the midwives were fantastic. My antenatal appointments were mainly at a local clinic not the hospital, but those midwives were great too.
Good luck with ttc!

[lepid0ptera]

As someone who has experienced both labour and C-section, not to scare you, but I'd take labour over C-section any day.

I don't see how anyone could think being cut clean open in the midsection is preferable. You get spinal anaesthesia which means you're totally concious the whole time. With labour you can get spinal anaesthesia too, it just takes slightly longer.

And the recovery from C-section is BRUTAL. You don't really realize how much you use your abdominal muscles until they're cut clean through. I couldn't sleep in a bed because I couldn't get out of one, and so I slept sitting up in a couch for a week. Recovery from normal delivery goes much better IMO.

Plus the risk of complications- for both mum AND baby- are higher for C-section. Why would you want that? The NHS is completely right to deny you that, I think it's malpractice not to give a trial of labour in a healthy pregnancy.

But to actually answer your question, it can be nice to talk to the same doctors that will be attending your birth. The reason being is sometimes medical records don't get shared properly and the attending might miss something that your other midwife charted. That said, probably not worth the extra few thousand quid.

[DinoSnores]

I think lepid0ptera's experiences are unusual. I've never had a section but I've had a number who have had elective sections and who have recovered very quickly and easily from them.

[Roxie85]

I don't advocate elcs for everyone as i personally think vb is the best way to go in "normal" circumstances but i think if you have that strong fears it wont do you or baby any good so a cs is possibly the best option.

I think if your fear of childbirth is severe then you can have a csection on the NHS as if you are that afraid of labour then you'll end up in a state and if a woman is panicking thats never good for mum or baby.
I would see if you can speak to someone about that option instead. This is what the NHS website says:

"You should be allowed to have a caesarean if, after discussion and support, you still want to have the operation."

"In 2011, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published new guidelines on caesarean sections. This aimed to avoid unnecessary operations.
NICE made a few new recommendations:
If a woman requests a caesarean section because she's anxious about childbirth, she should be referred to a healthcare professional with expertise in providing mental health support. She should be offered a planned caesarean if, after discussion and support, she still feels a vaginal birth is not an acceptable option."

I think its a much better option to speak with a mental health professional to first see if they cant help you overcome your fears and if they cant they will be able to help support a cs instead.
Seems a much better idea than forking out so much money.

[MrsBobDobalina]

It's dangerous to extrapolate from one's own personal experience for all women. In a c-section, the muscles shouldn't be cut through. They are lifted and parted.

As a counterpoint to lepid0ptera, I've had two ELCS. I know the detractors of caesareans don't like to hear this, but frankly, and honestly, it was a walk in the park. I had no fear, little pain, and no problems recovering. On that basis, I should be advocating ELCS for all women. I recognise that it's not the same for everyone, so I won't. But mine were great.

[Hazchem]

Do you have a good GP? Can you start by talking to them and get a care plan in place before getting pregnant? Or contact the supervisor of midwives at your hospital. My understanding is maternal request due to fear of child birth is a "valid" medical reason for a C Section it might require a bit of a fight.
There are lots of posters that have done it and they should be able to help you navigate the system.

[BunnyBaby]

I had VB with DC1 and EMCS with DC2, both recoveries were similar. Separated stomach muscles meant for both I had that wobbly inside feeling. Only difference was more tenderness for EMCS around scar area and more time taken getting in and out of bed. More tenderness for VB around my rear as I had a 3/4th degree tear which required fixing. So really only difference was sore scar versus sore backside, and both were painful for a similar period of time.

This time I'm having an ELCS so hoping for a better outcome than the PPH which accompanied the EMCS, which was due to a 26 hour labour and trying to push a 10lber out for 3 hours who was wedged posterior.

Have to speak up against the previous poster who said that VB recovery was better, as for me both had their pluses and minuses.

At the end of the day, safe Mum and safe Baby the best outcome whichever way x

[Kelly1814]

Errrr I would totally disagree with lepid, my ELCS was totally different to this.

I, like you, did not want to give birth vaginally so paid to go private. As it happened, I ended up needing a CS at 36 weeks as the baby had IUGR.

It was a lovely, calm, fantastic experience. The first day after was painful but after that I would say 3 weeks tops of discomfort.

I had a high risk pregnancy and the fact that I could call my consultant on her mobile when I had a problem and got to see her every few weeks, or as needed, gave me real peace of mind.

Also, recovering from a CS in a private room with en suite for 5 days afterwards also beats a shared ward in the NHS any day, for me.

If you can afford it and you want to do it, go for it.

Best thing I ever did.

[BristolRover]

you don't need to go private for an ELCS. Talk to your NHS midwife / consultant, and save the pots of cash you must have for some post birth help & Care which you'll need after a CS.
NB the charges for an ELCS are always higher than the standard price list - teh £9k plus 2 nights is presumably for a std vaginal delivery>??

[BristolRover]

(& to follow from what Kelly says, you can pay to go in a private room in most NHS hospitals and it costs about £100 / night. I had private room on the NHS after first EMCS, paid for private room after ELCS the next time round)

[Kelly1814]

Bristol you cannot guarantee a private room though. It's luck of the draw whether there is one free or not.

[weeonion]

laurengrapes - will ask my SIL who gave birth at Lindo Wing earlier this year. BIL did day that cost of pg with scans, appts, tests and labour etc cost him nearly 20k but will check that out? SIL had ELCS at 36 weeks to be able to go on skiiing holiday which had been booked for 6 months before they conceived

[fluffymouse]

I would caution you to think about the recovery from elcs as well. You will need a lot of help for the first 6 weeks. This may include not being able to get out of bed/get to the toilet on your own, not being able to push a pram for 6 weeks, not being able to drive. The recovery is no walk in the park. Have you considered counselling?

[Mumof3xox]

Weeonion I think that is shocking!

[tak1ngchances]

OP my situation is very similar to yours.
I am having an ELCS at the Westminster Suite in ST Thomas's and for consultant's fees, the delivery, anaesthetist and neonatal check, and 2 or 3 nights in hospital (can't remember which) it's coming in at £12k

[dontevenblink]

Totally agree Mumof3, weeonion I find that shocking too - was there any medical reason for C-section at 36 weeks? Surely they wouldn't agree to delivering a preterm baby just because of a holiday?!!

[Hazchem]

I know one private hospital in Australia that advertises it will do pre term delivery if requested by parents. I think it is partly to do with fly in fly out workers but still a bit scary.

[weebarra]

Lepid - I think what you've said is very harsh and that a fear of childbirth is a valid reason for an elective section (I'd agree that a skiing holiday is not).
I have had three EMCS (DD was supposed to be elective but I went into labour three weeks early) and all were straightforward experiences. Bit annoying not to be able to drive for a bit and needed some help with DS1 and 2 after the last one,but I was doing the school run within a couple of weeks.

[weeonion]

no medical reason at all. For either SIL or baby.

They didnt want to change exclusive very much in demand holiday chalet and wanted to stick with plans so preferred to have "extra" 4 weeks with planned ELCS. No problems with getting it as far as i know but SIL made a big thing of having it done on date she was considered full term.

I guess if 36 weeks is considered full term and you have money to pay - some consultants will do it.

[Mumof3xox]

Sounds ridiculous to me

I personally think without medical reason it should not be allowed

[squiby2004]

My DD was born on the Lindo Wing in 2004. She was an EMCS due to PE/IUGR at 33.5 weeks but I was booked in for an elective at 37 weeks (again due to PE) has we have made it that far. My section was a fantastic experience. Staff were lovely and made the whole thing relaxing and calming despite some high risk complications.

The post natal care was was amazing, mobile epidural for 4 days after my spinal wore off so pain free. Night nursery so I got full nights sleep which made recovery very easy.H could stay over night in my room. One to one midwife care.

I was shopping in blue water 7 days post section and driving with Drs consent 10 days post baby. I only have the 1 DD due to my horrible pregnancy and early delivery but if I were ever to have another I would be back at the Lindo in a blink.

Our insurance company picked up much if the bill because it was an EMCS but you are looking at between £4/6 k consultants fees plus about another £6-10k in hospital bills if you have a c section at the lindo. Worth every penny for me.
And no an amenity room in a NHS hospital is in no way comparable to a private deluge very in answer to those people making that comparison.