NHS vs Private

[user1471455201]

Hello everyone,

I am looking to give birth in London, and really want to have a natural birth. I was wondering if anyone has given natural birth in any private hospital without intervention or birth centre? And how those would compare to NHS - for example, I have read some great reviews about St Mary's Birth centre? I am not from England and all the information I am finding online is really confusing my decision.

Has anyone given natural birth at the Lindo wards at St Mary's or knows anyone who has?

I would also prefer to have a private room after delivery if I was going to go with NHS, does anyone know if that is possible at St Mary's Birth Centre or any other recommendations?

I would really appreciate and value any responses as this would really help me make a selection of where to visit when I come visit London next month.

Thank you so much!

Hi OP - as far as I know the Lindo don't have birthing pools. They only have consultant-led packages but being private care I'm sure you can express your wishes for a fully natural birth experience unless there was an emergency or medical need. You should book in for a tour now though as it may take 3 weeks until the next available slot.

St Mary's Birth Centre does have private post natal rooms but if there was a need to transfer you to the Labour Ward you would stay in the hospital postnatal ward (you won't be be able to move back to the Birth Centre for your post natal stay). I don't think they offer tours unless you've been referred there by your midwife.

Queen Charlotte's & Chelsea Hospital have a mid-wife led private package as does the Portland Hospital.

Chelsea and Westminster also do midwife-led packages in their Kensington Wing.

The birth centre at St Marys is amazing, wonderful staff and the rooms are like a hotel. All private rooms with a lovely bathroom and double beds so your partner can stay with you. If you do need to go up to the labour ward you can't come back to the birth centre though. I think booking the lindo wino privately is really the only way to guarantee exactly what you want.

Lindo wing not wino!!

UK private hospitals are not nice. You have your own room and own bathroom, but the actual quality of the accommodation is akin to a provincial B&B. Have low expectations, as the price might lead you to think you'll be getting Claridges.

Choose your obstetrician first, as to a very large extent that will dictate where you give birth - Philip Bennett doesn't deliver at St Mary's (or didn't when I had DD in 2013) but Alan Farthing does, for example.

The midwife-led package at QC&C was what I chose originally and you can choose this option on the NHS but request a private room for recovery.

Had an ELCS in the end as decided I couldn't cope with the unknown unknowns of natural birth (was 42, DD was IVF4).

Thanks everyone for ur response! Will check out all the options given above.

YoMommasMomma, do u mean that the recovery rooms at St. Mary's are actually private rooms?