Where to have baby: NHS/private/independent midwife (at hospital)

[pali1978]

We are thinking about NHS vs private and as much as I know I'd feel so much happier with the latter, it would be a stretch for us. But the stories you hear about lack of staff on the NHS scare me; I'd like to know the person who'll help with the birth before the day and not to have to worry about whether there will be enough staff etc. My own experiences of our local NHS hospital (St Mary's Paddington) have, unfortunately, been pretty bad. So, I was wondering whether having an independent midwife with me would go part of the way to addressing these concerns (without costing as much as the Lindo). Has anyone gone this route and have views on it? Or any other thoughts on the question more generally?

I had an independent midwife and gave birth in hospital (transferred in from homebirth). Made me feel very safe. Best money I've ever spent, and everyone I know who's had an IM says the same.

Might a doula do the trick, cheaper than an IM but you'd be able to get to know them in advance and they'd there solely for you.

Unless your baby is due before September you won't be able to have an independent midwife legally.

*be there

I had DD in an NHS hospital. If I'd wanted to we could have gone private but I wanted the NHS in case anything went wrong, in an emergency I trust them more. The care was ok and in the event of a fairly hectic interventionist delivery I was very well cared for. I was glad to go home but I think that would be the case anyway even if I was in a private hospital.

Thanks all. I hadn't realised that IM's can't practise from September...wow, that reduces choices. And I already feel out of control of this process. I will look into a doula.

I am just so ignorant about what happens when you give birth...

When are you due?

Come October an EU law means it will be illegal for any healthcare professional to practice without insurance. There is no commercial insurance available currently for independent midwives, hence they will become "illegal". Independent Midwives UK is working actively with the government and other interested bodies to find a solution so don't give up hope!!!!!

I'm only 6 weeks pregnant, due at the very beginning of February. But saw the doc today for the first time and got me thinking about what to do...
Good luck to the IMs out there.

Just thought I would update this thread...I spoke to an IM who explained to me that the insurance issue only affects IMs' ability to deliver babies. So if, like me, you want to have your baby in a hospital and just have the IM there as a support rather than to deliver, that is fine after October.

I debated going private and also having a doula and NHS care.

I ruled out private because when it comes to childbirth I trust the NHS far more as mad as it sounds, I think I'm right in saying that if something went majorly wrong you'd be transferred to an NHS hospital anyway.

I ruled out having a doula in the end because after much discussion, I decided I wanted the birth to be a really intimate experience between me and my husband, I didn't want another person permanently there. I just made him research EXTENSIVELY about childbirth .

My labour was long, but the NHS were pretty good!

You can have the best of both in a private wing of an NHS hospital, which is what I had (Chelsea & West). I wanted to know a fully kitted out NICU and ICU was available without having to transfer if anything went wrong.

A lot more expensive than an IM / doula. I have a friend who used a doula though and found it really beneficial.

Some independent midwives seem to have sorted out cover for antenatal and postnatal care and can attend you in hospital as a birth supporter and advocate (like a doula, but with all their professional midwifery experience). They can't do anything clinical during the labour/birth in hospital unless they have a contract with the hospital, but that has always been the case. So post-October you might still be able to have an independent midwife for everything you could have before, except actually delivering your baby at a home birth.

I think it would be useful to met your local independent midwife to see if she is the right one for you. Independent Midwives UK stats show that we have a 78% normal birth rate compared to 61% in the NHS. Our caesarean rate is half that of the NHS and so is our instrumental birth rate. Independent midwives are a very safe option. IMUK is working hard ot secure insurance and has been in talk with the health Minister who has assured iMUK board (I was there at the meeting) to tell midwives and clients to continue booking. The government would halp source a solution for October. So please do not be put off by this date. It is also true that you iM could provide all ante and post natal care and come to your birth as an advocate. If you speak to her she will inform you of what she has in place fo October. You are correct - it will imit choice - you can find out more about our campaign to stop this on facebook - chooseyourmidwife.

I wish you well in whatever you decide.

There is a private company called www.thebirthcompany.co.uk
don't know if that is any good.

Have a read of this as well www.nmc-uk.org/Documents/Midwifery-Reports/Feasibility-and-Insurability-of-Independent-Midwifery-in-England_September-2011.pdf

Good luck

Last May I had my first (healthy girl, 7lb 3!) :) and my friend referred me to the UK Birth Centre. So I had a chat on the phone with them...which seems like agggges ago now, they sent round a brilliant lady called Susan. Once the initial visit was over I phoned them back to tell them that yes she was the midwife for me. One big big big advantage is that I was able to choose my midwife and it was great because I had the same midwife throughout everything and I consider myself very lucky. Here's the link and good luck all you mums-to-be! www.ukbirthcentres.com/

Independent Midwives are hoping to obtain insurance.
The only problem is that they need £72 000 by the end of September to get the scheme up and running.
www.independentmidwives.org.uk/?node=13143

I sincerely hope they raise it in time, so much so, that I have already sent a modest donation. This is even though I had an NHS midwife for my homebirth; I would most definitely have considered an independent midwife if I hadn't been able to organise that.

There are private midwifery groups with insurance now.

Neighbourhood midwives has full insurance and has a number of IM's with them.