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Childbirth

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:

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hoarseoldfrog · 08/05/2015 20:14

Had emcs a month ago at southmead. Found staff on post natal ward great, always someone available. However my baby was in nicu so I was in a quiet room with 2 other nicu mums and didn't have to care for him. I also made a really swift recovery so not sure how it would have been if I needed more care.
I stayed for 3 nights, mostly as baby still in nicu. Wasn't put under pressure to leave earlier.
Staff were definitely busy but I was pleasantly surprised by my experience. Every single person working there was compassionate and went out their way to help me. My friend had a similar positive experience at st Mike's

WienerDiva · 04/05/2015 10:31

Hi Melody,

I had a private c-section at John Radcliffe in Oxford. There are 2 private obs there, Laurence Impey and Deb Hannington(I may have that second one wrong).

I had my c-section 4.5 years ago so it may be different now.

FishWithABicycle · 04/05/2015 10:23

It sounds to me like you'd be best off staying in Bristol so as to be near your family, getting home as quick as possible and having a private nurse and doula at home to ensure you and your family are well looked after.

Robin0369 · 04/05/2015 10:14

I just wanted to say I've experienced both systems - Aus (Sydney) and UK (Kingston). Had NHS section at Kingston following a traumatic 1st delivery at Kinsgton that resulted in 3rd degree tear. They were happy to give me a section second time around no issues even though I didn't medically need one, I had a private room for free, stayed 3 nights out of choice, consultant did my section. A good experience all round. Now about to have third section under midwife care in public hospital in Aus. This seems unusual to some as seems a lot of women go private here. Can't really see why - actually pretty similar to UK but probably better (I am at a major hospital). I do know that Kingston have the private Coombe wing that'll be a lot cheaper than London hospitals and you will get better aftercare as that seems to be where it goes wrong in the UK. Despite having had two complicated deliveries I would be ok with having another NHS baby but it does sound like it depends on the hospital. Good luck!

RedToothBrush · 02/05/2015 11:10

Also if you get a private room in a public hospital can the husband sleep there as well?

It depends on the individual hospital policy. Some places will allow your husband to stay others won't. This can be difficult information to find out without asking directly what the policy is as its not always advertised. Same for private rooms. There is also the danger that there won't be a room available even if you have asked for one, as they will be given to women with a clinical need ahead of those who are simply paying.

I think this thread is unfair on some NHS hospitals tbh. My experience wasn't grim. I did have a medical need for a private room, but my DH was allowed to stay. The hospital (which is in another part of the country) had a new policy of allowing fathers to stay.

Also you are NOT 'allocated' to a hospital. You are free to choose any maternity hospital you wish in the UK, though they can try and persuade you to take the most local option and it can be a little more complex in going somewhere which you are 'out of area' for. The only cavet is they can turn you away if they are oversubscribed for patients. I went to a hospital which was not the one for the local Trust, without too many issues though. You would see a more local midwife for most of your ante-natal care if you went with the NHS, and then go to the hospital for scans, some blood test and any additional care you needed if you had a more complex pregnancy. (You can also do this if you go private too)

Some hospitals are over subscribed - particularly in London. This does include the private hospitals too though so don't leave it too late in booking in, if you are considering going down this route.

The same goes for VBACs after two previous sections. Different hospitals will have different policies. As a rule after two sections though, you are unlikely to face too much opposition to having an ELCS (it can be more difficult than it should be if you've only had one section though) but equally you will probably be supported if you did want a VBAC.

Unfortunately, I think the worst this is the real lack of transparency in the UK. You have to ask questions rather than be given information. And I am slightly dubious about just how valuable word of mouth is, because my experience was that you frequently will get different answers from other women rather than directly from the hospitals themselves.

melliemoo1 · 02/05/2015 10:39

Just to say it will depend where you live in Bristol which hospital you will be allocated as there are 2 trusts. If south bristol or north somerset your hospital would be St Michaels. Which I have to say I was very impressed with their treatment of patients when I was there a couple of weeks ago.

cricket13 · 30/04/2015 11:56

Yes I saw my local NHS midwife for my general antenatal care. I only went to London twice - once in the first trimester to book in with the consultant, and once at 34 weeks for a growth scan and blood test and to book in with the hospital midwives. The consultant just asked me to be in London from 38 weeks and scheduled the section for 38+5. It's all turning out to be really easy, although I wouldn't be able to do it without my parents coming for the birth to look after my other two kids.

Melody12 · 30/04/2015 00:57

Thanks cricket. Can I ask you how you managed for the visits? Did you just go to your nhs hospital?

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cricket13 · 29/04/2015 18:26

Melody I am in a similar situation - I am about to have my third CS. I live in Scotland but have decided to travel to London to have it at the Portland Hospital. My first two were in America and I wanted a similar experience - private room with husband staying with me, and nurses that aren't too overworked to help when I need it. I have heard lots of stories about how stressful it can be on the NHS wards, and I didn't want to deal with that after surgery. If it's an ELCS you will know the date so you can just travel down a week beforehand and make it a pleasant experience. As much as possible anyway! Mine is in a couple of weeks - I can let you know if it ends up being worth it.

Providore · 28/04/2015 17:52

No, Australia has a reciprocal care agreement so you'll be treated for free on the NHS, should you want/need that.

Melody12 · 28/04/2015 09:27

Thanks everyone for your advice. You have given me food for thought . I'm really battled as London seems like the private hospital that I was expecting, but the distance seems an issue to me, having to leave my kids so far away without my husband being able to spend few hours a day with them while away. But then I think that, given that we are not uk citizents, I would be paying an Nhs hospital as much as a private for what it sounds like terrible care!

OP posts:

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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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

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

Primaryteach87 · 28/04/2015 03:18

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

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.

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.

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...

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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?

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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.

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.

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