private C section vs NHS C section

[gateacre1]

I was wondering if any ladies could pass on any information or experiences relating to private or NHS sections

I had a V Traumatic first birth and I would like to have a ELCS this time around.

I am concerned I will be refused an NHS section so am looking into the possibility of a private one. I am also a little nervous about an NHS birth again as the care I recieved last time was so terrible- staffing levels are worse now than the last time with 2 maternity units merged into 1, and vacancies not being filled etc.

Is the standard of care so much better with private care to make it worth the cost?

The hospital I am considering for private care is St Thomas's in London, so there is a scbu next to the private wing if needed
many thanks x

Sorry, can't help you regarding private.
I had ELCS, on NHS, and it was really good, no problems really.
Have you had a look at MUMS, the surgeon there did my NHS CS, does both NHS and private and a bit cheaper than private portland etc.

I suppose it depends where you live and whether you got the funds.

Thanks Happy wheezer, I will look up MUMs
Im just really afraid after my last experience, we can pay for it but will have to sacrifice other things. ( I can earn the money back in the future when I return to work full time)

If you had a traumatic first birth then go with your arguments fully prepared and I'd be pretty amazed if you were refused ELCS on NHS. It depends on your hospital but I think most sections are carried out by the same team of people its just the private ones are done in 1 list, and the NHS ones in another and maybe on a different day.

PS, I had ELCS for DD1 due to medical reasons and I'm due to have another in a few weeks time for DD2 if she hasn't arrived. I didn't have to argue at all for the 2nd ELCS. Just said I'd try VBAC if DD2 arrived before 39 weeks but if not I wanted ELCS. ELCS booked at week 24 so I knew I had a plan.

I would also agree with cbmum.

I took a dossier in with me, which he read and nodded his head a lot. Then took my arguments apart. He still agreed to me having a CS though.
I felt very stupid after though.

It's true that in my hospital they put NHS ELCS on different days to NHS ones.

MUMS did a day case CS, that was impressive and DR Chris lovely.

I had a c-section last July at St Thomas' (under Mr Oteng-Ntim who I can wholeheartedly recommend) It was my second after an emergency c-section at my local hospital the first time.

The c-section itself the first time was fine and the initial care in the first 6-8 hours was very good but then the reality of the staff-shortages kicked in by the time the first evening came round and I was pretty much left to myself. No-one's fault, it's just the way it is/NHS reality but it was a pretty miserable experience all round.

St Thomas' couldn't have been more different - it's not a completely luxury experience in terms of surroundings but there are more than enough staff and care assistants and you could have almost continuous one-to-one attention if you wanted it which was the important part for me. (I didn't but the lady in the next room was having a lot of problems breastfeeding and had, quite rightly, a lot of support to get her established). Also, your other half can stay if they want to which was very reassuring. Throughout my pregnancy I also had my consultants mobile phone number and an invitation to call at any time (which I sometimes did - slightly problematic pregnancy!) which was almost worth the money I paid in itself. Your consultant also completely gets to know you and you ahve very regular appointments which, again, is just hugely reassuring.

If you can afford it I would recommend it massively. More than happy to answer any other questions you may have.

I haven't had an elective C/S but I have had 2 NHS births and 1 private birth, all in the same hospital and they can't be compared. The one to one care I recieved was superb, I felt that I was listened to every single step of the way, I had an extremely positive elective induction which was 100% painless due to an epidural even before induction was started and nothing more than a slight graze which I believe was due to the experience and calmness of the midwife and consultant and the postnatal care was second to none. Much of this was due to the fact that there were plenty of staff to help me. I was in the private wing of an NHS hospital, I had nurses and midwives popping in to see me every half an hour during the day and had a midwife who came into me every 3 hours throughout the night to help me BF and sat with me for as long and as often as I wanted her to.

It was without a doubt the best money we have ever spent and to this day my DH says that his biggest regret is that we didn't do it the first 2 times.

Thank you all so much for your replies

The idea of having to fight for an NHS section worries me ( I am definetely a worrier!) I have spoken to some friends who are ob/gyn's in my pct, they have indicated that even in my case I wont necessarily be offered one and it may be that they will wait until 36 weeks until they decide.

My OH wants to go private as he doesnt need the extra stress and worry about me worrying!
The idea of more one on one care after the birth and help with breastfeeding really appeals to me (last time I asked for help in nhs ward I was given a leaflet and left alone)

I spoke to a consultant last night and he agreed to reduce his fees if I have my scans etc and most appointments on the NHS

Think Im going to go for it ( we can always earn more money- but I cant take away another difficult birth!)
x x

Gateacre1, I had all my ante natal appointments NHS but chose to have private scans although could have done these NHS too. I saw the consultant three times before delivery, once NHS as I told the NHS booking in midwife that I was considering private delivery so she booked me an NHS appt to discuss it, once to talk about my birth plan and once a couple of days before the delivery.

The total cost of 2 ante natal appointments, consultant delivery, epidural and one nights private post natal care was just less than £5k.

The key benefit in your scenario is that the private consultant will agree to a C-section on request. I think if you want a C-section and the NHS will dither on as to whether to agree, it's definitely worth the money. I also think you are best going down the private consultant in an NHS hospital route - better access to intensive care and neo-natal facilities if (heaven forbid) something happens to you or the baby.

Hello gateacre1 I had an emergency c section privately. I wasnt in a great state after the c-section and it definitely helped having lots of midwives around. If you can afford it, I would consider private, for the post natal care.

I had a traumatic birth (shoulder dystocia) and am now having an ELCS on the NHS next wednesday. The consultant offered me it on a plate. I was so gobsmacked I didn't reply to him straight away. I was expecting him to go on about trying for a natural birth - none of it. He looked at the delivery notes from my last child and realised that things could have very easily gone badly wrong. I guess I was lucky to see someone with common sense as there is so much on here about people having to fight for an ELCS after a terrible labour experience.