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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Private, NHS or homebirth? Really can't decide!...

19 replies

floppops · 27/08/2013 15:33

I'm 11 weeks with our second DC and have only just self referred at our local hospital-Whipps Cross.
I am completely undecided about where I'd like to have the baby..
I am totally horrified at the thought of ever entering a postnatal ward ever again-awful experience last time.
My mother has just announced she would pay for private care as last time was such a shambles-was at Homerton. She favours the Lindo wing at St Marys but I'm wondering that I might be too far along to book in there anyway. Also concerned at how far away St Marys and indeed the other private maternity wards are to us here in E17.
Also quite like the idea of homebirth as DH could stay with me and hopefully I'd be more relaxed.
But I'll be 41 when this one comes along and my last birth was assisted with borderline hemorrhaging and a torn cervix with a large episiotomy so whether home birth is a good idea I'm just not sure.
Keep changing my mind from each option and back again!

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Azultrailer · 27/08/2013 15:38

I transferred to private care just for delivery both times. Saw private obs twice before delivery, both post 30 weeks so defo not too late.
You could transfer for private post natal care at some places - St Thomas and Watford I think. Fully private (eg Portland) is only worth it if you've got insurance as its stupendously expensive although v nice.
HTH x

Azultrailer · 27/08/2013 15:39

Thought Romford had private rooms?

Are you hoping for vb or ELCS?

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 27/08/2013 15:41

What about a home birth with a private midwife? You'd get continuity of care before and after the birth, and the benefit of a home birth.

I had ds2 and ds3 at home, and it was a great experience both times.

Original poster

floppops · 27/08/2013 15:54

Hoping for another VB first was by ventouse, unless of course there are complications later on..
I don't know Romford-will research. Does it have a private maternity ward? Or just rooms?
I had booked a private room with my first but couldn't/didn't get one in the end. But did get one when readmitted a week later but to be honest the private room on the postnatal ward was still awful. Nurses coming in all night and the door kept open all day.We had to complain about one of the nurses as she threatened me and one mother on the ward was swearing and screaming and crying and trying to run out of the ward in the night. Postnatal wards are hell.

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Original poster

floppops · 27/08/2013 15:59

SDT I thought independent midwives where as of October this year not allowed to cover homebirths as they won't have insurance. As I understand it you can still hire them for pre and postnatal care but have to have NHS midwives at home or go into hospital. I'm not sure I'd like to pay whilst still having a NHS birth at hospital. If I have a home birth I'm ok with having NHS midwives I'm just not sure it's advisable due to my history.

OP posts:

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 27/08/2013 16:36

I'm sorry - I didn't know that, floppops.

Wincher · 27/08/2013 17:25

Maybe have a chat to your midwife about whether you'd be a suitable candidate for a home birth - second time round is meant to be much easier. And the homebirth team at Whipps has a great reputation (though have just posted about the fact they are being reduced from four to two midwives).

Another option could be to get a private room at Whipps after the birth? With luck you would only need to stay in one night, if that - second time round you can ask for a 6 hour discharge.

Wincher · 27/08/2013 17:26

Somebody on my birth group on here has just given birth at 10pm and was home at 4am!

Azultrailer · 27/08/2013 17:28

On that basis then you seem to want a private birth and private post natal care, so that means your choices are;
St Thomas, Kingston, Watford, St Mary's, Kensington and Chelsea and The Portland.

Pick a hospital and then an obstetrician (or the other way around if you've got a preference for anyone in particular) and off you go. Remember the SCBU/NICU at Portland are private too and if you need them are up to £4k a night, so insurance is advised there.

Original poster

floppops · 27/08/2013 17:42

Azul I'm still totally undecided. We haven't any insurance and private would mean my mother giving us the money which I'm not sure I'm comfortable with anyway.
Really the decision is so hard as I can't know till the day if its going to be a quickish and easyish birth then NHS hospital or home birth would be tolerable. Especially if I can leave quickly. But if there are complications I'd rather have more one to one care privately.
I may well end up seeing how the pregnancy progresses.

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Billy11 · 04/09/2013 23:42

I had two private births. One natural. Ine c section. Fabulous. First in dubai. Second in kensington wing. And nr three is booked to arrive at the kensington wing.

fuckwittery · 05/09/2013 01:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CandyPop · 05/09/2013 15:30

I think before you make a decision you should be aware of a recent report on whipps cross.

www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/dirty-and-unsafe-whipps-cross-hospital-told-it-must-make-urgent-changes-8760165.html

Personally I would go private if you could afford it. My experience with the nhs wasn't a good one and I personally believe they made decisions based on their budget rather than what was best for me. That's another story though!

Let us know what your finally decision is. You must live in the same area as me and I'm interested in finding a private hospital for my next one too but also worried about how far they are!

ButteryJam · 05/09/2013 16:59

If you can afford, definitely definitely go private!

Bamboobambino · 07/09/2013 09:10

If someone is paying for it like the kind offer you have had, then go for a private delivery in a hospital, Lindo wing or somewhere similar.
Do not even consider home delivery with independent midwife. They are deemed to risky to insure by the indemnity organisations for good reason.
At 41 ( no offence intended at all) your obstetric risks are higher.
Not worth the gamble.

Original poster

floppops · 07/09/2013 19:05

I am pretty sure I'm going to go down the private route. I'm just too worried a home birth could result in having to go to hospital anyway and I am high risk I suppose being 40. I'm also worried about my possible cervical condition complicating things so I think I'll get the most care privately. I haven't been given a booking in appointment at Whipps yet-will be 13 weeks next week but then I did self refer quite late.
So I'm going to have a look at St Thomas' private maternity suite next week and find out a bit more info about prices, when I can transfer care etc.

OP posts:

Pooks123 · 11/09/2013 10:05

Just to let you know there are midwifery providers with full insurance now.

Dramamama · 11/09/2013 10:15

I have nothing helpful to add really I just got exited cause I was born at whipps and the mw who delivered dd at rd&e in Exeter was trained there so strong ties for me. I would have loved a home birth with both my dc but fate wouldn't allow it, look in your heart of hearts and you'll know what you want x

bundaberg · 11/09/2013 10:33

if your mother is willing to pay then how about an independent midwife for a homebirth?

not that I think that NHS ones aren't good enough, I've had 2 fabulous NHS homebirths, but if you wanted more peace of mind that your midwife was going to be available and continuity of care?

my first birth was assisted, had a 2nd degree tear and PPH.... my second was brill, so that wouldn't necessarily put me off although obv something you need to discuss with your hcp

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