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.

[SympatheticConsultant]

Unfortunately there is no cheap option to having a private delivery AND private postnatal care. What others may have alluded to was an 'unofficial' arrangement with their specialist to have them undertake a CS delivery within the NHS system and then with the usual NHS postnatal care and facilities!

This is not strictly permissable within the NHS maternity system!!

[Lotster]

It is at Kingston. If you have NHS ante-natal care up until the birth, you can pay £548 to the consultant you want to perform the elec c/s on an agreed date, then pay the hospital package price to cover theatre fees and 48hrs private room and care fees (under 3k when i booked but around that now). I didn't take this option as it didn't guarantee the surgeon would be at my disposal if i went in to labour early (you take whoever is on in that case). Which would have defeated the object for me as i wanted continuity me care.

[Lotster]

'of' care. Responding you your first sentence btw.

[PixieCake]

Hi everyone,
This is my first time posting here and I have found this thread really useful, so thank you all. I am pregnant with my first baby and am just about to go to my antenatal appointment and sound out the MW about getting a CS on the NHS - non medical reasons, just really can't bear the thought of a natural birth. I have taken some tips from those of you have been successful so fingers crossed. Very nervous that the MW will dismiss me as being 'silly', but determined to stand my ground since some of you seem to have been successful.
Will post any updates.

[lumpasmelly]

I had my elcs at the royal surrey in Guildford. Paid 6k to my consultant and 1.5k for the op and 305 pounds for each extra night after the first. Also paid for bloods and scans to the tune of around £700 (all scans at fetal medical centre). All appointments were with my consultant and she was on call for me 24/7 so I could ring her any time I wanted and she would make things happen if necessary (like when I had bleeding at thirty six weeks I was able to go directly to the hospital and be seen immediately). Appointments were at mount alvernia private hospital so all very pleasant surroundings and no time constraints, and lots of flexibility re appointment times which was important to me as I have two other children......main difference during delivery (seeing as my consultant also works nhs) is that it was patently obvious she had brought her very best people to work on me. The anethetist was incredible - I have never seen anyone place a canula in the back of your arm for maximum comfort!!!!....turns out he had come in on his holiday to do my operation!.... even though I was in a private room
afterwards with nhs midwives they were SO much more accomodating than the ones I had had before in that very same hospital - the room was pretty grotty and the food a bit rubbish but the care was excellent so I didn't care. I thought it was good value compared to what you pay at places like the portland.

[PixieCake]

Just got back from seeing the MW. As I suspected, she was very pro 'the natural way' and before we had even discussed options she told me she had put me down for the midwife-led ward because she thinks 'natural is best without all those drugs'. I told her that unfortunately my opinion differed (!). She asked if I would be requesting drugs, and I said that actually, I would be requesting an elective CS. She sucked in her breath and said something about women not realising the risks. I told her that I would like to discuss my reasons with an obstetrician, and she said not to worry about that until about 34 weeks. But I think I need to get this sorted out earlier. Anyone know how I go about this? Can I just phone up and ask to see the consultant?
Thanks in advance!

[notanothernaturaldelivery]

I am 27 weeks and am desperate for an elective c-section after a horrendous first birth. I spoke to one consultant who I have known to do this 50% private / 50% NHS system that a few people have touched upon, but unfortunately he is booked up for August (my due date). I am going to ask my midwife at my 28 week check outright for an NHS c-section, but failing that, can anyone recommend a consultant in Manchester who may be open to taking me on at this late stage?

[hellymelly]

I had an Nhs section,but i was only in for two nights for the second one,not five(!?) and it was actually lovely on the ward with the other women and their new babies.

[ooosabeauta]

Notanother, can I ask (if you're still looking at this thread) how that went? I'm feeling rather similar and am 26 weeks along. What has the outcome been for you so far?

[NEWBEEKAT]

lumpasmelly not sure if you are still looking at this thread but you have just described exactly the experience I would like - private c-section at Royal Surrey / appointments at Mount Alvernia. I am a new mumtobe and very nervous about the whole experience and how I go about getting the birth that I want so was great to read that this is possible in this area. Would be sos os grateful if you are able to provide a little more advice on how I arrange this - i.e who to contact MA or RS? Arrange through my GP or directly with consultant? Thanks so much for any help.

[LolaKnickers]

Private CS and ante-natal from 8 weeks - £6500 (outside London). This was private consultant but NHS hospital (private room but not en suite).

Second one is NHS though (they don't argue about wanting CS now I've had a previous CS)

[LadyThompson]

I had a private elective cs at St Mary's in Paddington. Am having a second there in Sept. It was wonderful and I have nothing but praise for my care. Not cheap though - about £5k for the hospital package (includes 2 or 3 nights) plus about the same again for the consultant. It is a teaching hospital and your child is treated as an NHS patient from when they are born so no extra charges there. Oh, and your postnatal care lasts until the 6 week check.

[paulmichelle]

Can you please tell us which Hospital this is with ?

Having trouble trying to get one on the NHS, may have to go private at the last minute.

Would be grateful if anyone has any advise, or knows any NHS hospitals that offer casareans at a reasonable price

Thanks

[BagofHolly]

Depends on "reasonable". The price varies with the consultant's fee, plus the theatre fee and then room rate so you pick a consultant, then a hospital he/she delivers at, and call their secretary.
Outside of London I think there's only Watford General and in London there's Kingston, st Thomas, st. Mary's in paddington, Chelsea and Westminster, and Queen Charlottes which are all NHS with a private bit, or the totally private Portland. The prices they quote for individuals self paying is different to what they quote insurance companies.
Hope that helps!

[gopimukti]

hello i am 22 weeks preg with my second child and thinking of going elective c-sec at Royal surrey?

Anyone have experience or suggest going private? Please respond

[QTPie]

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

Good luck
QT

[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.

[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.

[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!

[gopimukti]

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

[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.

[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!

[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 :(

[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.

[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.