This is a way off yet but it plays on my mind a lot and I’d like to make some progress with my own thoughts!!
I had my first baby in lockdown. Vaginal delivery with back to back baby, 3rd degree tear and huge blood loss. Very ill afterward and back in hospital a week after delivery.
Throughout pregnancy I was passed from community midwife to community midwife - first one didn’t believe my dates were correct and called me in for my booking in too soon, then said well it won’t be me you’re with and so I met the next midwife at a follow up appointment. Met with her and on the second appointment she said she was leaving so passed me on to someone else - she was nice enough but at times quite dismissive of my worries and I think in hindsight o should have pushed harder for things I wanted or needed to understand and have reassurance on both pre and post birth.
Despite the physical trauma of my delivery the care I received was excellent. Midwives, doctors, etc all wonderful. But I feel my care overall from booking in to post natal was a mixed bag and due to the physical implications of my vaginal delivery I’ve been told an elcs is recommended if I have more children.
Id rather do it vaginally again but know deep down it is safer and so I’ll end up with an elcs.
We aren’t rich but with a bit of planning could ace for private maternity care and I think my husband would support my request for this. I think it would provide me with better continuity of care, less rushed appointments and more focus on my specific concerns and needs.
But I don’t know where my nearest private maternity hospital is - I’ve tried google and it’s as clear as mud! I gave birth at Warwick hospital and I’ve read you can just have a private mw who then comes with you but I might not get a private room for recovery etc.
Has anyone got experience of private maternity services (ideally for an elcs and in midlands / Warwickshire if possible!) that they could share pros and cons of with me please?