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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Thinking of going private - any tips, recommendations etc please?

52 replies

KeepingQuiet · 17/07/2006 18:27

I'm only 6 weeks preg but off to see the GP tomorrow and I know he will ask which hospital I want to be referred to

Went NHS at St George's last time but the "care" was dire
My other NHS option would be St Thomas' and I know they have a private wing

Any other options in London apart from the Portland or St John & Elizabeth?

Any hints or tips? Our health insurance won't cover this so it's a big spend

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giraffeski · 17/07/2006 18:29

Message withdrawn

eenywifemum · 17/07/2006 18:29

I dont know anything about going private but if you want a better birth experience (fair enough!) it might be a lot cheaper to hire a doula to help you at an nhs hospital. She will give you support and intervene with medical staff on your behalf (I'm guessing!)

Original poster

KeepingQuiet · 17/07/2006 18:37

I'd rather be in hospital than at home
I had a normal delivery last time with no intervention but basically no support or midwives
Baby was delivered by a student midwife on her own
I tore and was not stitched up until over 30 hours later
Postnatal care in the community was also shockingly rubbish

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LeahE · 17/07/2006 18:42

You could go for the Birth Centre which is an independent midwife centre next to St George's -- they cover home births too but you can give birth there. In the event of needing intervention you can transfer to St George's for the actual birth and then back again. Aftercare is supposed to be very good (haven't used them myself but would have done if we had the ££££)

Original poster

KeepingQuiet · 17/07/2006 19:24

Thanks, I had forgotten about them, might be an option

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TuttiFrutti · 17/07/2006 19:43

All the private hospitals (and private wings of NHS hospitals) have particular reputations, so it depends a bit what sort of birth you are aiming for. I know St John & Elizabeth is well known for favouring the all-natural candles and whale music approach, and Queen Charlotte's is more medicalised.

I have never been through the private route so can't speak from personal experience, but I know it is ruinously expensive so I would think hard about whether it's better value for money to hire a birth doula to be with you, as other people have suggested. I get the impression that in a lot of private hospitals, the medical care is no better, you are just paying for nice surroundings and hotel-quality menus and wine lists.

NotQuiteCockney · 17/07/2006 19:44

You can have your own midwife in an NHS hospital. I had a private midwife, who would do home births or hospital births. If she came into a hospital, she'd be there only as a helper, officially, but actually, she'd done a lot of bank work at our nearest NHS hospital, and I'm very sure I got better treatment thanks to being with her.

glassofwine · 17/07/2006 20:03

I had an independant midwife for DD1 and was transferred into hospital after 26 hours labouring at home (had to beg) - It was my worst birth experience and all down to the midwife.

I had DD2 and DS1 in the same NHS hosp without a private midwife and they were much happier experiences.

I guess I'm saying it's luck of the draw I wouldn't waste your money especially as you've already had one baby.

thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 17/07/2006 20:05

whole-heartedly recommended

Uwila · 17/07/2006 20:31

Beg to get into Queen Charlotte. They are lovely. I live in Sunbury, and flat out refused to go to St. Peters when I was also 6 weeks pregnant. It took a while before someone I wanted accepted me (Kingston and West Mid both turned me down). But then I got into QC and was very happy with the care. Check out www.birthchoice.co.uk and look at where you want to go. Then, refuse the other options. You have to kick up a lot of fuss. But, if you really want to go somewhere you can avoid your local.

controlfreaky2 · 17/07/2006 20:40

i had both ds's at st john and st elizabeth, god like (in a agood way) yehudi gordon and the best midwife team imaginable (the midwife who delivered my first came in on her weekend off to deliver my second). cant reccommend it highly enough.... but you seem to have ruled out as option....

Original poster

KeepingQuiet · 17/07/2006 22:24

I've not ruled out the Portland or St J&E but wondered what other options were out there

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controlfreaky2 · 17/07/2006 22:26

would reccommend a visit to see if you like it.... good luck

daysoftheweek · 17/07/2006 23:25

Hi Tommies NHS pretty average really especially the dire post natal wards but if you think anything is likely to go wrong (doesn't sound like it from your post) very good place to be. Just because Georges was average last time doesn't mean it will be this time (although I have heard some random things about it!). Not much help sorry.

Original poster

KeepingQuiet · 18/07/2006 07:36

Thanks for all your help. I will sort out some visits

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Coolmama · 18/07/2006 09:14

Girlfriends of mine have recommended Chelsea and Westminster - they have a private maternity wing, so you get the private service but with a big a hospital so that all the expertise is there if needed - I had DS at St Mary's ( same deal as C and W ) at the Lindo Wing, and although it could do with a bit of updating (which I believe is happening at the moment) because they have the best Neonatal unit in the country and I liked the reassutance of knowing that all the specialists etc were right next door rather than across town - thankfully, the birth and baby were both fine, but it that little safety net was important for me and the aftercare was not to be faulted. The only difference is that I chose a consultant-led birth rather than a midwife- led one - best of luck with everything -

acnebride · 18/07/2006 09:18

my sister, having had one baby at Lewisham Hospital, is going for St Tommy's next having heard all good things about it, but NHS not private. dunno if that helps.

DollyP · 18/07/2006 09:48

I found the care at Tommy's to be fantastic - the postnatal ward I was on first off was fine, but the second was grim central (I was there for 4 days post CS) and I couldn't wait to escape. I would definitely go back there and have a private room if funds allowed as the care was excellent.

Birth centre looks good though and I know people who have used it who speak very highly of it.

kitegirl · 18/07/2006 10:21

I'm having my ds2 at the Lansdell Suite at St Thomas's (Mr Mascarenhas is delivering), the antenatal care has been fab, I found that I get the best of both worlds - the facilities of a big NHS hospital and proper postnatal care in the private wing. DS1 was born at St John & Lizzies which was simply amazing. Can't speak highly enough of them, sadly I couldn't go back because of high risk pregnancy (blood clots).

controlfreaky2 · 18/07/2006 21:32

st j and e is fab isnt it kitegirl? did we meet in a postnatal hormonal rage in that basement with ann herreboudt perchance?!

daysoftheweek · 19/07/2006 01:11

Hi again should just clarify that the post natal care at Tommies was great, it's just the ward/environment that is grotty, got really tired of all the hoards of visitors (everyone elses of course) and screaming children running around all hours of the day and night. To be fair I've heard a few bad things about the C & W too (I didn't know they had a level 3 neonatal unit?)
It is really variable though my SIL raves about Lewisham (well relative to the way everyone else talks about giving birth). Don't think you get the view in the Lansdell suite though!

hoppybird · 19/07/2006 19:40

Sorry - off topic here - Uwila, you said you refused to go to St Peter's - why is that? Did you have a bad experience there? I'm interested as I'm booked in there. My ds was born in St Peter's too, and I was happy with the care they provided.

louli · 19/07/2006 21:33

Another fan of John & Lizzies had DS & DD there. My experience there was totally different to the one I had at the Portland even with the same obs. J&L is very homely, caring and a lovely place to have a memorable birth experience. I still speak to the midwife and obs that delivered both children. The Portland has some excellent staff and the rooms are very well equiped but it is not relaxed ( you can only move you baby around out of your room in their cot) they are very keen on taking your baby into the nursery and I didn't find them a lot of help with feeding problems.
Have you thought about contacting The Active Birth Centre about alternatives?

krabbiepatty · 19/07/2006 21:36

Not a fan of the Birth Centre and would certainly nto pick it if you would prefer a hospital birth.

Original poster

KeepingQuiet · 19/07/2006 21:50

Thanks for all the comments

Brochures arrived today from StJ&E, Birth Centre & Lansdell at St Thomas'

Am I correct in thinking that you can't get an epidural at the Birth Centre?

Lansdell paperwork was interesting - spelling mistakes and the first 3 pages were all about how to pay! They only sent the Obs led prices too

I'm starting to wonder if it's worth the cash to be honest - looks like it will cost 6K (if no complications) wherever I go

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