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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Third c-section Bristol area private consultants

36 replies

Melody12 · 27/04/2015 09:45

Hello,
I'm moving from Australia to Bristol in October. I'm unfamiliar with the UK NHS system. I'm now planning my 3rd baby that will be my third c-section. I was wondering if you had private maternity hospitals in Bristol and private obsteticians? I read on the Southmead Hospital website that they only keep you 24hrs for a c-section!!! Is that right? What is your experience with the c-section in Bristol? Do you have any suggestions on private obstetricians? Thanks

OP posts:

BeanCalledPickle · 27/04/2015 12:27

The 24 hour thing is for your benefit really. Theory is you will recover much more easily if you are at home than in hospital, assuming there are no clinical reasons which necessitate you staying in. An EMCS is likely to result in a longer stay but a straightforward ELCS should see you up and moving such that you can get home. They won't kick you out if desperate to stay but if you are feeling ok why wouldn't you want to go!

Private ELCS are an expensive business. Mainly London focussed. If you've money to burn then fair enough but the NHS experience shouldn't be too terrible. And it's free, assuming you are entitled to NHS care.

A lot depends on how pregnant you might be on arrival. I've no idea how you arrange things if you arrive in the country quite far gone

RedToothBrush · 27/04/2015 12:35

There are NO private maternity hospitals in the UK outside the South East. You don't pick private obstetricians here really as a result. I believe it is a very different system in Australia.

If you aren't eligible for NHS care, you would still probably be treated in an NHS hospital but your insurance company (or you) would be billed for the privilege. Unless you were prepared to travel to London.

yearofthehorse · 27/04/2015 12:43

Not strictly true redtoothbrush. Whilst there are not many private maternity hospitals in the UK, many NHS obstetricians also have private practices and can see you for antenatal appointments and deliver you privately at an NHS hospital.

I'm assuming you have private health insurance OP, so this would seem the best way forward for you. And if you want to stay for more than 24 hours, if you're happy to pay a private room I'm sure they'll be happy to have you.

Original poster

Melody12 · 27/04/2015 13:58

Oh thank you for clarifying that year of the horse! I was just about to ask whether going public meant that I would get a different ob everytime and the dr performing the c section was just a jr doctor (in Au it would be so). Do you then have any private obs to suggest? Do you have an idea on costs?
Also Beancalled pickled although I would love to stay at home it is also true that at home I would have two kids under four that will require my constant attention making it hard to recover. Plus I have had a four day recovery rate with my previous sections 24hs seems really short.

OP posts:

Heels99 · 27/04/2015 14:04

Hi there are no private maternity hospitals in bristol.
I had a section at southmead I was in for 5 days, had major problems with my wound but they still kicked me out. Too early as it turns out, was back in hospital a week later for an operation associated with c section and ended up being in for two more weeks. Had two babies in nicu thoughout this.
Post delivery care at southmead was dire, midwives fainting as somshortstaffed couldn't take break and hadn't eaten, rough handling by staff, no notice of kick out etc etc.
Go to London and go private.

Original poster

Melody12 · 27/04/2015 14:22

That sounds scary Heels99. Are there no better maternity hospitals in Bristol? What about St Michaels? I would even go to London, but isn't like 2 hours from Bristol? Seems like It would be a bit hard to go for the prenatal appointments especially when they will become weekly.

OP posts:

Heels99 · 27/04/2015 14:28

yes there is St michaels. You will definitely be out quick from there.
I don't know anyone in Bristol who gave birth privately I am afraid, nobody does it as there are no private maternity hospitals. I tried to find one locally as that was my preference but came up with nothing. Whether you can use a private obstetrician I don't know. Have to say the actual c section at southmead was fine it was the after care that was absolutely shit.

yearofthehorse · 27/04/2015 15:56

I was going to send you a link to the one I work for but googled it for Bristol and there's loads. Have a hunt around OP, good luck.

BeanCalledPickle · 27/04/2015 18:12

You don't have your ante natal appointments at the hospital unless you really need to. Most of the time you see a midwife in the community and hospital is just for occasional appointments.

Think a private ELCS is somewhere around 10-15k in London.

I think it's hard to explain the system fully here. An ELCS is in theory your right but unless no clinical need it can be a battle. All post natal wards are horrific. I'm having an ELCS on Friday and dread it. Partners there all hours of the day and night. The noise and general horror meaning that I am clinging to a 24 discharge desperately. I have a toddler at home and that is still hugely preferable to staying. 4 day recovery would be very rare if no complications. They will certainly discharge you after 48 unless you have a clinical need to stay

MrsCampbellBlack · 27/04/2015 18:20

I'm near Bristol and would say I've never known anyone have a private c-section round here. Not sure where you'd even have it as the local private hospitals don't as far as I'm aware have the facilities to cope with maternity stuff.

I've had 3 c-sections in Bath and I was chucked out after 24 hours after my third. However there are some smaller hospitals - Chippenham and Paulton near Bristol where you can go to recover/get to know baby type thing. Or at least you could 5 years ago when I had my last.

Maybe worth thinking about paying for a nanny/doula to help with your eldest two if the private c-section doesn't work out. I had my in-laws stay and help and I retreated to my bedroom with baby for a couple of days. I also got my cleaner in more often etc.

Good luck!

YoungGirlGrowingOld · 27/04/2015 18:21

Jesus wept...

I am not in UK but I had no idea things had got so horrific in the NHS. They were bad enough when I left. It sounds utterly grim.

Sorry OP - no useful advice other than to say that when I lived in Dubai there were plenty of expat mums (UK and Aussie) who returned to the private hospitals there to give birth because private care was cheaper and apparently better than the UK (own anaesthetist, private rooms, etc).

noitsachicken · 27/04/2015 18:22

I had an ELCS in Southmead in December.
It was fine, I was happy to come home after 24 hrs (with toddler at home), postnatal ward was ok, only four of us in there, no problems with care.
Yes they were busy, but I had no problems.
I wanted to get home asap though.

MissyBear10 · 27/04/2015 20:22

Hello!

I had a private ELCS in London - the main hub.

Lindo is amazing. I chose William dennes who is fab.

Being an ELCS you can plan so can travel if you want to...

Hope this helps.

Original poster

Melody12 · 28/04/2015 02:45

Oh my I'm getting anscious! A beancalledpickled you said that I'm not automatically entitled for an ELCS, is this true even if I have had two prior c sections? Would they really try to make me give birth naturally first? I ask you because I would have like to try a vba2c but where I live in oz they wouldn't attempt it. My first c section was an 'emergency' the second was a failed vbac, the baby was over 9 pounds. Also if you get a private room in a public hospital can the husband sleep there as well?

OP posts:

Original poster

Melody12 · 28/04/2015 02:50

Hi Missybear? That sounds good! Is this private hospital big enough to handle emergencies such as placenta acreta? I wouldn' t want a clinic where at night there are no doctors around. In oz you need to be very selective of private hospitals as well...

OP posts:

Providore · 28/04/2015 03:08

I had a c section at Southmead and had to stay in for a week as baby had complications. I begged and pleaded for a private room and was willing to pay but there were none available the whole time. It was the worst week of my life. Sick baby who screamed all the time, lights never switched off, door never closed, woken repeatedly by screaming babies, snoring mothers, noisy staff. You can only have a private room if there is no one with a clinical need, even if you pay for it. We have private cover but it doesn't make any difference as there is nowhere to have a baby privately in Bristol. And yes, you'll have to argue your case for a section. Very, very, VERY different from Australia (where I'm from, incidentally). I would never have a child in the UK, given the choice, and recommend you don't come over til after the birth. You'll hear a lot of women disagreeing with this view, but I found in the UK that there is an attitude of 'well childbirth is shit for everyone so just grit your teeth and get on with it'. It's so unlike what you'll be used to and I think you'd be so much better off not coming before the birth.

Providore · 28/04/2015 03:13

And no, your husband can't stay in a private room. He's only allowed in during visiting hours. I'm not joking. You're left, drugged and in pain, to care for your newborn on your own all fucking night.

Primaryteach87 · 28/04/2015 03:18

Why not hire a private nurse to look after you at home post op?

MrsCampbellBlack · 28/04/2015 06:38

I doubt you'd have to do much arguing for a 3rd c-section - it was a given with me to be honest.

And the care was fine. My 'mistake' was getting up and doing my make up the next morning - the midwifes were then very keen for me to go home

Heels99 · 28/04/2015 07:34

I had a private room for the four weeks I was in hospital but husband could only come at visiting hours. I think the reason women are ok with leaving after a short time is they get no sleep, privacy and little support so may as well be home

Original poster

Melody12 · 28/04/2015 07:53

Do you guys think that going private in London would be definitly better? At this point I will definitly try to stay here for the birth but IF we concive this month the baby will be due in February and my husband' s work was planning the relocation between Oct and Jan.

OP posts:

MissyBear10 · 28/04/2015 07:58

Hello!

I have to be honest and say I wasn't willing to deal with the hit and miss of NHS maternity care. I'm a Brit. Can be good - can be absolutely awful.

So, we went to the Lindo which is where the duchess has her babies. Amazing facilities and linked to a massive hospital for real emergencies. But they deal with most stuff there. Think there has been a couple of transfers in 8 years - I asked!! Husband can stay the whole time in your own private room. Wee bell to summon help - anything from coffee to pain relief.

Now this might annoy some as this is hugely costly - 23/24k from a full private pregnancy and delivery. But we are going without a nice holiday for some time and keeping our old car. But worth every penny.

I agree with the poster that said the Nhs attitude is childbirth is rubbish and you are just expected to get on with it. I think medical care should always try and make it better. Some times that is the case with the NHS - not always.

Hoping this helps

BeanCalledPickle · 28/04/2015 08:00

We are painting a grim picture aren't we! I think the PP is right in that there is something of its shit for everyone so grin and bear it attitude. But for the vast majority of people it's not that bad and you get through it and that's all there is too it.

Private maternity hospitals will usually convey to an NHS hospital for an emergency. The Lindo is the private wing of St Mary's so the emergency facilities are right there.

The whole partners thing is hit and miss. I'm in north London and they can stay in the chair next to you. Much as I wish they couldn't because they create noise. If I had a private room they certainly can stay.

PuppyMouse · 28/04/2015 08:02

I'd just like to add for the sake of balance that I had an ELCS at St Michael's and it was perfect. I had my own room, next door to a bathroom, very attentive midwives and regular obstetrician checks. Would have been in for 24hrs (happily I might add) but they kept me in for observation for another night. Please don't be terrified by all the horror stories OP. If you are happy to travel and can afford the 15k or so then go to London but my experience was not bad at all.

houseofstark · 28/04/2015 08:05

I was in Southmead in February. Husbands were allowed to stay over for one night only. But this was in a chair in their wife's cubicle. No bed provided.

They weren't allowed to use the patients' toilets, or have meals etc. The staff actively discouraged them from staying actually. But some did stay.

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