Private c-section = private room ?

[Nubadub]

I’ll be having an elective c-section later this year. 3rd child after two very difficult and damaging vaginal births (physically and mentally). Either going with NHS or private. Depends on a few factors.

Quick question for anyone that’s had a private c-section… is a private recovery room a guaranteed part of the deal? I’ve not been able to confirm this from googling. Looking at private c-section in Oxford if that makes a difference.

So will I be guaranteed to be staying in/sleeping in a private suite for however many nights required?

Many thanks tor any answers.

It depends on your facility and what they offer. Some of them it might be standard, but for others you would have to pay extra for a private room afterwards.

Thanks for the reply.
It seems crazy to me that you would not get one. Or be at least guaranteed to reserve one. Spending all that money… you would think at least got you a private space.

I’ve been reading lots about the noise and sleep deprivation on NHS wards after c-sections. That’s my main concern.

In Oxford you would be a private patient in an NHS hospital. Consultant Obstetrician and Consultant anaesthetist for your elective surgery but ward staff would be the same as for other patients. NHS food and usually a private room would be prioritised for you on the postnatal ward. Recovery area may be an open bay as single rooms are very limited there.
I think if you are looking for nice food, guaranteed private room etc you may have to look at Portland, Lindo etc.

I booked a private room in an NHS hospital.
While in recovery following the C-section you will be with other people, but once recovering are happy then off to your own room.
Is that an option in your hospital?

OUH private patient link

Seems you won't know until the day. I know there's not too many up on level 5 though, and most of them aren't en-suite. Recovery is more likely to be in a shared bay. Either a 2 bed room, or 4 bed bay.

I had an NHS c-section and stayed on a 6-bay ward afterwards. I took earplugs and an eye mask but all the other mums were on morphine so slept very well, partners were the only allowed visitors and they were kicked out at 7pm, the only noise came from the babies when they needed a change or a feed. It was much more peaceful than I imagined! I had heard horror stories. I think the thing that had the most impact was no visitors after 7pm.

Thanks all for the replies. I’m an earplugs and black-out sleeper kinda person even at home (and we’re fairly rural)… prone to sensory overload and sleep troubles. It’s purely for that reason that we’re even considering going private.

I had both my cesareans with the nhs and was in a private room both times.

Me too but they did caution me that if I needed more medical intervention afterwards they might need to put me on a shared ward as easier to keep an eye on me that way (I lost a lot of blood second time round & narrowly avoided a transfusion).

ETA - and honestly had I not had my mum with me & looking out for me I probably wouldn’t have been safe in that private room - no one brought water etc. Hopefully private will be a lot better!

@Nubadub you can pay for private room in some nhs hospitals . Imagine they'll still need to come in and disturb you regularly to do y
Both your obs x

It might be worth comparing the NHS hospitals in your area too.....
I switched at about 35 weeks to a more modern one which had private rooms

Its worth it. After my section I had a private room for 4nights, in Italy its standard. Wonderful.

Generally yes but it will depend on the hospital and if it's a fully private wing or just paying for the consultant etc.but if there are complications they may still transfer you to NHS care too so bare that in mind

You can book a private room but if someone with a greater need comes along, even if you have booked and paid for the room and it’s late in the evening or overnight, you will be moved into a ward.

Doesn't really answer your question but I had 2 nights in a private room at an NHS hospital after my elective c section. It was still pretty noisy and nurses were in and out all the time doing obs and giving medication so wasn't all that restful! I was on a ward initially and then they moved me for someone in more medical need.

How long is it normal to be kept in for? I was put in a room with 2 others and it was pretty quiet. They were keen to get us out asap though so everyone was gone after 1 night so wouldn’t have been long to put up with any noise anyway.