How much does it cost a private elective C-Section? Help!

[mar72]

Hi,

I'm considering having a private elective C-Section (London area).

This is for health reasons (private matters, sorry) and also because I've always been phobic of having a natural birth. Actually, this option has never crossed my mind.

The hospital where I'm having antenatal care is extremely disorganised, I don't like neither the midwife nor the consultant who are seeing me. The other two options in my area are far more scary and I'd never go to either of them.

I've read a few things about the Portland, the unit in St. Thomas Hospital and St. John's Hospital.

Ideally, I'd have the antenatal care provided by the NHS (as bad as it is) and would have the delivery and hospital stay only done privately.

Does anyone have an idea of how much it'd set me back?

Thanks in advance.

[RedToothBrush]

Is there anywhere in East Anglia rather than London?

In a word: no.

[jamtomorrow1]

Does anyone have any recent experience of private ELCS fees? Is there anywhere in East Anglia rather than London? Thanks so much

[Alltootrue2u]

I had my DD at the Lindo ring in 2004. At the time the fees were:

£4000 in consultant fees
£1.2K for Aneasthetist - spinal and mobile epic for post operative pain relief
£1800 for first night in hospital and £850 for every night thereafter. I was in 5 nights.

All in my bill was £10,500 and this was 14 years ago. It will have risen considerably since then!!!

[HappyShineyMum]

The NHS is not a free service though. You have already paid for the care through your NI and Taxes. Unless you don't pay tax?

[leannac]

I'd recheck the prices as quoted above for c section at Kingston Coombe wing. I called them last week to go through prices for a private birth. I was told the hospital fees alone are £1700 (which includes 1-2 nights in the private room & rather randomly flowers, dressing gown & fancy toiletries too), then you have no option but to hire a full consultant service which I was told STARTS at £4600 depending on your pregnancy. Once both these non negotiable & obligatory costs are paid you have the option to either pay something like £1400 for natural or £1800 for c section (these last 2 prices are from memory as I stopped writing info down at this stage as I realised there was no way we could afford this). For every additional night you need to stay there is a charge of £638.

I had hoped to have all my ante natal care at Kingston on nhs then literally just have delivery privately but that alone looked to cost £6k upwards so I've had to accept this isn't an option for us anymore!

[nav1978]

Hi Lolaknickers and feeltrapped, please can you give the names of the hospitals? I have just found out that I'm pregnant and I just can't sleep. I'm totally scared of having natural childbirth. Can you help so I can that I can start researching and put mind at rest and start enjoying the pregnancy!

[RefereezaWanka]

If you wanted to consider state care, UCLH was excellent when I had my second section there (if you or your baby develop any problems you will most likely be transferred there from the Portland, I think). Postnatal care is fine but minimal, so if you want a hotel experience you won't get that, but the quality of the Consultants is second to none and their special care baby unit is one of the best in the world.

[quietlyafraid]

Thats precisely why its so important to try and get awareness of tocophobia out there and get it taken seriously. If you expose the fact that the bans are actually hurting women with mental health problems rather than women choosing lifestyle, it will change attitudes from the public. These bans have been put in place as they are popular and they don't met any real resistance unlike other areas. Its totally political.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Unfortunately I'm not sure all trusts will follow the guidelines. They certainly don't have to.

[quietlyafraid]

They are not new guidelines - yet... Final thing is due out on 23rd November so it may change yet. It does however mean that all those Trusts saying they are cutting back on electives due to costs can frankly get lost, as the draft says the economic argument is a pile of doogie doo as it takes no account of complications. Trusts do not have to follow the guidelines either - but it does, for the first time, give power to women who really need this. It will help doctors who do recognise tocophobia help their patients against the all the stupid and damaging politics.

I've actually been reading up on a pile of stuff regarding electives - I've put this in another thread. The whole premise of cutting back on electives is based on the fact that people believe they are done for lifestyle reasons. Unfortunately because of the way its recorded, when people are asking for mental health reasons because they are either suffering from primary or secondary tocophobia (usually women who are more vulnerable in the first place), this isn't being recorded as even though the government recommended in 2003 to change the system to reflect why women were having electives better nothing was done. Its had the net effect of the press and public (and more importantly and worryingly policy makers) jumping on it and accusing women of being soft. Thats what makes me really angry; all of this was picked up 8 years ago and not a thing has been done and yet this is now recognised as a big issue in Sweden, Norway and Finland. We are now years and years behind because record keeping has been poor and attitudes in this country have been so obsessed with the myth of "too posh to push" at the genuine expense of women.

Reading though stuff, I'm appalled at just how much certain pressure groups have spread misinformation on the subject because they have their own agendas, rather than supporting all groups of women. I find it very worrying when influencial people (including the NI health minister and head of the NHS alliance) are quoting out of date information and clearly haven't been reading the NICE draft.

Women with PND are not treated in this way. Its time to get this on the map and to fight back against all the idiots who really don't understand how distressing this is to face a system that doesn't understand this is a mental health issue and not a lifestyle issue...

[pawprints]

anyone seen these new guidelines released sept 2011? Looks like mothers-to-be have a little more power to insist on c-sections? However, once they've tried to convince us otherwise perhaps?! ;) www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=download&o=56255

[MrsKwooooHaHaHaAzii]

You may not be in for too long. They tried to turf me out 24 hours after my ELCS at an NHS hospital

[pawprints]

Stangirl, I've just seen your prev message I think you used Kings College? However I dont live in their catchment area so I dont think they would consider seeing me? King's Maternity Service catchment area

This service is offered to women living in the following postcodes in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham:

SW2, SW4, SW8, SW9, SW16
SE1, SE4, SE5, SE11, SE14, SE15, SE16, SE17, SE19
SE21, SE22, SE23, SE24, SE25, SE26, SE27
CR7

[pawprints]

Stangirl, I am also in South London. Can you tell me which hospital you went to and which consultant you saw? I am in the same boat as you and desperately want an ELCS!

[coffeemaker]

Hi Babyjay10,

I dont know why there is so much fuss around getting a c-section.My surgery was done in 25 mins and recovered alright and was at home in 3 days.

[coffeemaker]

Hi,
Can anyone share their experience of a private C-section at Royal Surrey hospital In Guildford .
I am pregnant with my second one and planning to undergo a second C-section.

[Stangirl]

Babyjay With my first DC I had no other reason than being scared of birth and the NHS granted a CS easily. They just asked me twice if I was sure it was what I wanted and was aware of the risks and I said "yes". It really was that easy. I am in South London.

Oh - and the ELCS was brilliant, I recovered easily and bf'd for 6months starting in the recovery room.

[Babyjay10]

Hi Girls

Hope everyone is feeling well.

When my OH and I decided to try for a baby we went along to the doctors to discuss a few things with her as I have an autoimmune disease and I also spoke to her about wanting a c-section. I am not asking for a c-section because I feel its the easy way out, I'm asking because I have a genuine fear of giving birth (I can't even watch birth scenes on tv, read about births etc without feeling ill and panicking) hence it has taken me till I'm 40 to have the courage to have a baby. Anyway the doctor listened to my concerns (I was in tears by the time I had finished telling her the reasons I wanted a c-section) and agreed with me and said the consultant will see how distressed I am etc and they will agree if not we'll get you a second opinion.

I had my first doctors appointment last night as I am now almost 6 weeks pregnant and we mentioned my wanting a c-section. The doctor although very positive and encouraging said we may have to fight for it etc so now I am a total bag of nerves and really getting myself in a state over it. OH has said if it comes to it we will pay privately for it.

Has anyone else experienced this/or feels this way? I really don't know what to do next :(

[MsPav]

I'm in Scotland. so am aware things may be different.

My DS, was born by an ECS, after a failed forceps. He had a very difficult time after birth, and has CP.

I couldn't begin to consider another VB, and would not have become pregnant if ELCS hadn't been promised. I spoke to my GP, and Hospital Consultant long before I did so and was assured I could have one.

My pregnancy with DD was obviously a worrying time, but my care throughout was outstanding and reassuring. I saw the Cousultant on every visit to the Hospita l(GP arranged a very early first appointment) and we had the DOD in our diaries from this date.

DS now 20, and DD almost 14!

[Stangirl]

For those that are very birth phobic - Kings College seems very pro-ELCS. I asked for my first DC due to being scared of birth - no medical reason - and was granted an NHS ELCS easily. With my second pg my MW suggested I would want an ELCS straight away as I had had a CS with my first.

Post natal care was a bit rubbish but the CS was so good that i healed quickly anyway.

[gopimukti]

Chynah - thanks very much for the response. Can you share who the obstetrician was at Royal Surrey please?

[zeeby]

Itchy8Scratchy,

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience first time round. I'm an NHS doctor (used to work in O+G, now a breast surgeon) and the good news is that you don't have to save up for an ELCS privately - as you've previously had an EMCS, when you book with your community midwife next time you are pregnant, you will automatically be referred to a consultant to discuss VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean) and be offered an ELCS at 38/40 if you decline a VBAC. Obviously this doesn't get around the potential problem of aftercare but it will safe you a lot of money and worry knowing that, as someone who has previously had a CS, you will be entitled to one on the NHS.

Hope that helps!

[Itchy8Scratchy]

Has anybody sought to get elec c before they 've got pregnant?


I know this sounds weird, but
I had an emergency section the first time and the labour gives both myself and patner flashbacks. I'd like another child, but I have to have c-section, but I don't have allot of money. also I'd have to say my aftercare was soo terrible that I was in a real state the first night. The trouble with nhs aftercare, is they are brilliant if they have the staff, if they are packed.

I won't try for another without knowing whiter I can get c-section and get good aftercare. Private rooms in nhs hospitals, would you have more mw, or the same as a ward, would husband be able to, could cope as long as I'd have someone to help me the first day with feeds etc.

[Chynah]

Gopimukti - I have had 2 NHS ELCS at Royal Surrey and been happy with the care both times. Neat Scar, no infection, etc. they are VERY busy and midwives obviously streached but if this is your 2nd you probably dont need so much support and they will probaby leave you to it apart from sticking heir head round the curtain every now and then to check on you (did me) and it was much nicer.

[QTPie]

Suggest you start a new thread titled something like "ELCS at Royal Surey?" - might get more replies....

Good luck
QT