Larry:
I just read that you think that overseeing a "normal birth" is a waste of a consultant's 7+ year training. I find this a bit perplexing- it's a part of their job technically to oversee and assist ANY kind of birth.
I don't know if you're aware that in countries like Canada, USA, India, China, Brazil, Italy, Singapore, South Africa, Japan and many it is obstetricians who take care of pregnant women and their deliveries. Whatever your private view of any of these countries, I doubt any of the OBs there think they are wasting their training.
OP, I think it's great if you can afford to go private. These were my reasons,
- I could choose the HCP who would take care of me for the 40 odd weeks, and I wouldn't have to see a different person every time.
- My OB worked with two more consultants and I met them both prior to the birth. They each knew my history and preferences. I was assured that one of them would deliver my baby if my consultant was delivering someone else at the time. So I was secure in the fact that someone I knew and trusted and someone who was aware of my preferences would deliver my child.
- I had more of a say in everything. Since I was paying I could ask for a lot of things without being given reasons like "hospital policy".
- I felt less judged. I said I didn't want to breastfeed, I wasn't pushed. I said I didn't want to attempt rooming in, and I was given the freedom to sleep while baby was in the nursery. I asked for a CS, I wasn't judged.
- My husband could stay with me and mum could visit any time.
6 I had my own, clean bathroom. This to me, is priceless. I would have paid if only for this! I saw my cousin
struggle with early labour on a ward. She had to go poo every half hour and the loo wasn't exactly close by. In addition to which, it wasn't always free. An en suite was a blessing post natally as well.
- I felt I had more say in what was done to me. I went into labour before my planned CS date and before my consultant could get there the one on call suggested a trial of labour and maybe forceps if it got too late for a CS. I flat out refused and the CS was done without question. In an NHS hospital, this could have been a potential battle. I also refused suppository pain relief and asked for oral medication instead.
- I had a paediatrician of my choice look the baby over and answer my questions to my satisfaction.
- I asked for and got only females performing intimate procedures like catheterisation, checking my pad etc.
10. I spent my pregnancy without living in constant worry about being given a nasty or incompetent midwife/consultant on call (obviously all aren't like that, but some are and I would have been worried sick about landing up with them) When strangers deliver your child you have no guarantee of their experience and expertise. I didn't worry about being sent home while in labour because there weren't enough beds in the labour ward. I didn't worry about having procedures performed on me without my express consent. I didn't worry about dealing with a newborn in a noisy ward without anyone to assist me. Oh and I didn't worry about giving birth in a corridor or being left with poor post-natal care.
I don't think about how much all this cost. To me it was priceless.