Private vs NHS birth

[Sith]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently 7 weeks pregnant and I've been very disappointed about the NHS care I've received so far. When I first saw my doctor to say I was pregnant, she never mentioned having a flu jab, she said she was going to put me on referral for a consultant (as I'm 38) and it's never happened, and I wasn't given a pregnancy pack - I only found out this week that I should have one and that I've already missed a blood test I should have had.

The midwives unit won't see me until 10 weeks, I kind of feel a bit abandoned at the moment.

In short, my experience with the NHS care so far has been chaotic and uncaring. So I started thinking about the scariest part - what about giving birth? Will that be the same?

So to cut to the point, I was wondering what experiences anyone else has had of private births and if you'd consider it worth it?

I don't live in London so I've no idea where the private birth centres are around Worcester, but I think it's worth inquiring about.

I'd really appreciate any thoughts, thanks :)

[Lj8893]

I don't think anybody has been particularly unsupportive. Posters have given the op valuable, reassuring and supportive advice. Some more so than others yes, but I don't know why we are being labelled as unsupportive.

[OhShutUpThomas]

Feel the need to apologise for your experience here.
Netmums has a much more supportive forum, see you there x

Are you joking?

[pinguina16]

Congratulations!

Personally what strikes me is how engage you already are with your pregnancy. This is good. At this early stage many women are still wondering if it is all real.

A book might be what you need? I'd recommend The essential pregnancy and birth guide by The essential parent company (just out of the press). The postpartum is not well covered but pregnancy and birth sections are sound I think.
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/184949584X?keywords=Essential%20pregnancy&qid=1455608316&ref_=sr_1_5&sr=8-5&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Good read!

[Stylingwax]

to focus focus

[affogato]

Hi OP. I've had my babies under private care. You can't beat full private obstetric care, for continuity of care and detailed observation before and during labour, but it doesn't leave much change from 15k all told (and this is the private wing of a major nhs hospital local to me). There's a lot of other things you can do with that money unless you are fortunate enough not to feel it! Most private consultants will offer a "hand-holding" meet and greet type appt before 12 weeks, but the schedule of appointments and bloods is really otherwise very similar. For example I explained to my consultant that I wanted bloods for toxo and CMV with my booking bloods, and she was happy to oblige.
I went private for my scans and Harmony test at the fetal medicine centre which I was very happy with. They scan at 10,12,20 and 34 weeks, so a little more than the NHS, which is reassuring (and reassuringly expensive...!)
Good luck with your pregnancy!

[glueandstick]

At 7 weeks they have done all they need to. I'm sorry you feel let down already.

Wait until you get to 38 weeks having only had a 10 week blood test as 'they are too busy', never had any information given to you and no advice what so ever. Oh and your booking appointment done three times as they lost all your information. Last week they started fussing over a carbon monoxide test as the box hadn't been ticked, screw the fact I've not been offered any jabs (and the GP won't allow self referrals). Oh no, it's a box to tick!

I really would go private if it is available to you. I regret it so deeply but it is a bit late for me now.

[LillianFullStop]

woah glue that sounds horrible! I'd have refused to go in for a booking in appointment for the THIRD time.

Hope the rest of the pregnancy and your childbirth experience will be much better

[HBSBeeches]

I went totally private and we really struggled financially but I wouldn't swap my choice for a moment. It was £24K all in which I was shocked at - still am.

Went to the FMC for the harmony/early scans etc. Did my research between 7-12 weeks and picked everything bar the anaesthetist and postnatal midwife which I did at 30 weeks.

So I was in control of my care. NHS can work well but I wanted to know who was delivering my baby and I wanted to see the same person every time. I also didn't want to be confused and wanted a number to call for clarification.

Hoping this gives another positive private view.

[LillyC]

I only had my first midwife appointment at around week 9/10, and that was just blood tests. I was nervous about the dating scan which was 2 weeks ago (week 12). My next appointment is April. I would wait until around week 9 or 10 and pay for a private scan if that makes you less stressed. Honestly it sounds the key trick to a good pregnancy and labour is to try to keep calm. Knowing from myself (a natural stresser) that's easier said than done. I'm debating around private vs NHS with some add-ons. My main concern is really around the childbirth itself. If I find something doesn't feel right I would get a private scan / private appointment, but just spending almost £20k for birth of top of everything else really puts me off.