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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Anyone hire a private room when in hospital? (bit silly question)

22 replies

Martha200 · 09/09/2007 16:11

Here's hoping I have the right section to post/ask this!

This is my second pregnancy and will be a different hospital, but I am tempted to hire myself my own room after the birth (which is going to be a planned section due to valid reasons.)

I just remember the stress of last time, though my baby (from my memory) wasn't a howler, I was petrified of disturbing everyone else. In the end thanks to the staff, we had to move to the special care ward because they didn't pick up on the jaundice that we kept asking about, so got a room to myself then, but tbh, was soo upset as our son was a spit away from a blood transfusion and other things, I was happy to be away from the world.

I want to feel comfortable going in, and if booking a room helps this process then I am prepared to do it, but my DH brought up the subject of would I feel lonely after the visiting times were over? This made me think.. and now I am hesitating a bit!

So, did any of you book your own room and were you happy or vice versa, would you never, ever want to go on a ward again with other mums and babies?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Mommalove · 09/09/2007 16:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

scienceteacher · 09/09/2007 16:20

I had my first in hospital and hired a private room for £35 a night. I thought it was worth it. The mums in the 6-bed bays seemed to have their curtains drawn the whole time, so it didn't seem very sociable there.

ArcticRoll · 09/09/2007 16:20

If my rather poor memory serves me right I booked private room for second planned cs.
Was told that I may not get it if somebody else in more need required it.
I found it to be fantastic.
With first cs on open ward I didn't get any rest day or nights with constant comings and goings.
In private room it was peaceful and actually got sleep. Think I became quite institionalised and didn't want to go home!
First time round I was begging to be let home early.
Would deffo recommend.

BecauseImWorthIt · 09/09/2007 16:22

I would if I were you. I was in a ward with 5 other women - who were perfectly pleasant - but everyone has so many visitors, and they seem to be there all day. The woman in the bed next to me had her whole family and parents with her all day. It was Sunday and they just moved in with all the papers and sat there with her!

I never felt I had any peace and it was deeply intrusive. My baby was in special care for a couple of days and I was trying to sleep in between visiting/feeding him and it was just impossible.

Original poster

Martha200 · 09/09/2007 16:22

Chuckle to the mag comment

I said to my husband it's not like any one on the ward (bar one lovely lady) bothered to talk to me/each other!, and this time around I would not be so tired and stressed (first time was emergency section) and just a mare from day one to fourteen days later when I was allowed to leave the hospital.)

This time WILL be a short stay and less hassle (she hopes )

OP posts:

littlerach · 09/09/2007 16:22

I was given a private room after dd1, partly because she was prem and we had ot stay in a while, also I htink because it was available.
With dd2 I was offered one(diff hospital) but I didnt plan t be in for long, so turne dit down.

berolina · 09/09/2007 16:23

I was in for 8 days with ds, the last 4 days because he needed phototherapy. For those 4 days I had a private room just across from the neo-natal unit, and I so needed it (although I had only been sharing a room with one other mother previously - the luxury of German hospitals! - I found it very stressful, particularly as she was an extrem,ely patronising second-time mother and I was a first-timer). This time I'm hoping to be in and out asap, tbh, as money's a bit tight for a private room atm and I am not good with sharing.

ProfYaffle · 09/09/2007 16:26

After my 2nd cs I asked for a private room (£75 per night) but they were full so I was on a normal ward.

daisyandbabybootoo · 09/09/2007 16:33

i got what our hospital calls amenity beds after my elective c-section. we were supposed to be charged, but haven't had the bill and it was 3 months ago.

that aside it was the best thing i could've done as i was able to get lots of rest and peace and quiet, especially at night.

potoroo · 09/09/2007 16:36

We hired a private room - it was £75 for the entire stay if I recall (£75 one off fee no matter how long you stayed).

You couldn't book (obviously) it was first come first served, although I suspect they gave priority to c-sections (rightly so!)

I will definitely do it again. If nothing else because I got my own bathroom and a lot more privacy.

I only had DH and my mum visit - I was definitely not lonely! I enjoyed the few hours of quiet

MagicGenie · 09/09/2007 16:40

I did it and it would recommend it if you can afford it.

My hospital charged £75 (I think) per night but it was worth it. Had DS on an extremely busy weekend - gave birth at 12.30am and got the very last bed in the maternity ward - when I was told we had to stay in an extra night, I didn't hesitate.

Felt a bit extravagant but...was great.

MrsMarvel · 09/09/2007 16:43

I had no idea it was that cheap. But can't turn the clock back now. I say go for it.

NKF · 09/09/2007 16:44

Hire one. You won't get a wink of sleep if you don't.

Elkat · 09/09/2007 20:12

Do it!
I had a private room when I had my first daughter, and it was fantastic. The only downside is that you need to ring the bell more often to ask for help, as the nurses tend not to disturb you in private rooms.

With DD2, I was unexpectedly kept in after a bad birth... and so could not have a private room (they'd all gone by the time I realised I was going to be staying in for a while). After 3 days I discharged myself as I couldn't cope with it any more. I would always have a private room, the ward was just awful.
HTH

sfxmum · 09/09/2007 20:25

best decision ever don't think I could have coped with a full ward for the 4 nights we stayed in hospital

lapsedrunner · 09/09/2007 20:27

Absolutely, worth every penny & more, just do it .

artichokes · 09/09/2007 20:33

Go for it. I would not have got through my post-natal stay without my own room. Kept me sane and gave me the quiet and space I needed to get to know DD and learn to BF.

Katisha · 09/09/2007 20:35

NO question- get a private room. Had it the first time and didn't know any different. The second time there were none available and the ward was just awful - noisy, nurses up and down all night, and during the day hordes of extended families visting, complete with their smelly takeaways. Horrible. In the end they took my blood pressure and found a room for me pretty sharpish...

SourOldBagpuss · 09/09/2007 20:49

I asked for a private room with DS1 (think it was £25 (6 years ago)- as long as you like your own company, bliss. With DS2, I spent 2 days in a mixed ward before the birth.. Twas awful. Girl across would not even acknowledge smiles, so I gave up, but felt unfortable. Managed to get a (free) room to myself after c/s - thank goodness. I suppose it all depends who you end up with, on a ward.

Tutter · 09/09/2007 20:51

mine was £125 but, having seen the alternative, was worth every penny

rooms w/o en-suites were cheaper

crimplene · 09/09/2007 20:56

I wish I'd though of that. 5 nights of total sleep and privacy deprivation were a miserable start to motherhood. Go for it.

Pitchounette · 09/09/2007 21:06

Message withdrawn

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