Has anyone given birth and one privately?

[warmsummersday]

I am just wondering if anyone has been to the Portland or similar? I would like baby no 3 but we don't want to have it on the NHS as had alot of problems with the last 2.

Can you give me a rough idea on how much it costs please. Thanks

Haven't gone private myself, but remember reading a post about this before and on the Portland website there is a list of prices for the packages they offer, although people did say there were a lot of hidden costs on top of that though so maybe worth budgeting more than that.

Sure someone who has actually done it will be along to give you a better idea though.

I dlivered at the lindo wing 4 years ago

it was about

• 5000 for the consultant ( antenatal care + delivery package + 1 post natal appointment)
• 2500 hospital fees (delivery suite + individual room) for a normal delivery and 2/3 day stay (incl. nursery care and peadiatrician visit)
• then you have the Xtra charges for scans & blood works (500 to 1000 depending where and how many)
• about 500 for anesthesis if epidural

I think the portland website does list fees and generally if you call them, they'll send you a fee scale by post.

I looked into St John and St Elizabeth's for this baby. However I was put off by the very real possibility that you'd end up transferred to an NHS unit if there were problems during pregnancy and birth.

I would second what the PP said about price lists - expect the final cost to be 30% more than you'd budgeted when everthing is taken into consideration.

me too mammyG as St J&E was down the road from me but was put off for same reason, that's why I went private at St Mary's

like slim22, i delivered ds (dc#2) at the lindo, which was a complete joy compared to birth of dd (dc#1) at st marys (nhs). More for quality of ante natal care and knowing who would deliver baby etc than anything else (though loved my own room and CLEAN BATHROOM).
Costs for a year ago more or less exactly as slim22 said, though i beleive consultants fees may vary slightly dependng upon the consultant him/herself.

I'm at the Chelsea & Westminster Kensington wing - they say about £10K for consultant-led and £7-8K for midwife-led. These are latest figures. Went midwifery-led first time round and only really recommend it if you are generally entirely straightforward as the slightest complication means they call on the overworked OB staff from the NHS ward anyway.

Hi warmsummersday
I agree, only do it if you are a straightforward case. I am categorised as "high-risked" so I am better off at an NHS hospital just in case. But I have got myself and independent midwife now, who visits me at home, will be with me in labour (she brings the gas and air with her too) and birth (at the hospital), and will also give me a month of postnatal support. She also told me that they tend to discharge you quite promptly if they know a midwife is looking after you, so fingers-crossed my NHS experience will be a bit more bearable (and not too lengthy) with her as my advocate.
So if you decide not to go down the private hospital route, you might find an independent midwife useful. It is also the only way to be sure you will have a friendly, familiar face by your side (apart from your husband). For the whole package they cost £3000-3500.

Good Luck!

I had both my daughters, privately, midwife let at St. John & Lizzie, amazing hospital, amazing care, midwife are simply angelic.

Check out www.babyfy.com/index.php/default/hospital/ for all the hospital information you need.

thanks,

Char

i had ds1 and 2 at john and lizzies (hospital of st john and st elizabeth) which was lovely. v hands off but supportive.

cost a flaming fortune and entirely unnesccesary for me as i wanted a homebirth, but dp was nervous and insisted on a hospital... this was our compromise.

ive heard worrying stories of maternal death rates being alarmingly high at the portland. is just a big hotel really afaics.

Go to St John's and St Lizzie's if you have the option. Lovely, midwifery led care there. Very holisitic care!

yes. twas lovely. v laid back ( my kind of place then)

I agree John & Lizzies is great

But still, if things get hairy, you are hauled off to St Marys in an ambulance..... always worth bearing in mind.... if lo is not well, he/she will go to SCBU at ST Marys too (great SCBU unit, dd spent her 1st few days there, lovely people etc...)

i gave birth at the Portland in September. wonderful hospital. no you will not be carted of to the NHS as they can do just about everything you will ever need. they are well staffed and will look after your every medical need at any time of day or night. I found the aftercare was fantastic. NICU/SCBU was great as well. i could not fault it. everything was good. i would certainly go their again if I had another one.