In a bit of a panic - are there any part-private options for birth? Please help me!

[bracingair]

Before I get jumped on for considering private I had a horrendous time on the NHS - think big london teaching hospital where they would love to care but dont have the time.

So I though i would go private and actually my insurance would partly cover. But it is not covering as much as I though it would. And the consultants i was recommended are both away for half term.

The thing is, I'm not really interested in private ante-natal care, scans etc. I just want to know who the person helping me deliver is before the birth so that i can really trust them. Im also repulsed at the thought of the showers, bathrooms etc i had after the birth, andI have heard you cant gurantee a private room after birth in an NHS hospital. (Knowing my caregiver is much much important to me though)

What are my options? I would have an independant midwife but only want to give birth in hospital so not sure it works. I also called up the midwife led unit in C&W (or was St Thomas) but they dont accept vbacs.

Please help! Thanks!

last birth was a vback. A firend of mine gave birth at St J&E but had to be transferred to the Portland as her baby needed special care. I would much rather it all in one place!

I had IM from the Birth centre for my first birth. They were absolutely fab and with all my antenatal appointments at home, I got to know them really well. I started off labour at home with them but after many hours we transferred to local hospital when it became clear that I wasn't progressing as hoped. I ended up with an emergency c-section but the IM was with me throughout and was able to advocate on my behalf in times of stress. I was also very clear that every possible avenue had been explored and I was ending up with a c-section because it was the only option. The service was absolutely fantastic. But basically the second time around I couldn't afford it and decided to track down a good VBAC hospital. My local was Whipps Cross (not great VBac success) so I made enquiries and got myself booked in at St Thomas's. Fabulous service and great attempts at a Vbac - but alas a second c-section! Again, I knew that the staff had tried everything possible.
I understand your need to feel more of a sense of control - this was me in a nutshell. But if you get to a really ggod NHS hopsital and take a doula with you or an IM for advocacy - I think you could have the best of both worlds.

If the last birth was a successful VBAC then your chances of a straight forward vaginal birth this time round should be very good. The key thing is to avoid unnecessary interventions (eg IOL)and allow spontaneous labour to start as that will maximise your chances.

I do agree it is much better to have the SCBU back up on-site in-case of unexpected problems with the baby.

Let me know if you need any additional info regarding the RFree (services, Consultants etc).

I still think an IM is the best idea for the continuity and support throughout and knowledge of the local hospitals and obstetricians.
Even though Independent Midwives are not alowed to "deliver" in NHS hospitals I find that women will either give birth or a doctor will perform an instrumental "delivery".
Not clear if you are hoping for a VBAC or planned caesarean but know that women have better mental and physical outcomes with midwife-led continuity of care (even if caesarean is needed).
good luck.

Thank you for all your positive messsages. Jusst to clarify, I have had a vbac, so there should be no reason not to have another succesful vaginal birth. I have realised that the thing that scares me most is that i have scar tissue from my stitches breaking down last time. I am so so scared of having another botched stiches job. The only way to gurantee who stitches me up is to have a private birth but that would be very prohibitive. So still a bit clueless!

Just a few thoughts:

• If you have had a successful VBAC before there is a very good chance you will have a smooth labour and you may not need any stitches at all!
• If you do book with an NHS unit please raise these concerns regarding your previous experiences with wound breakdown with your midwife and or your Obstetrician. They may not be able to personally guarantee that they will be present were a repair required but you never know they may happen to be available if such a situation arose and they were on-site! Furthermore if this problem is high-lighted within your notes your Consultant could also document instructions that the senior most oncall individual (MW or Dr!) be there to do the suturing.

thats a really good idea!

My gp is under the impression that the midwives are better at stitching because they do it all the time! Ive no idea if he is right.

As it is, I'm not sure if my problems are due to bad stitching, or just one of those things that just happen, regardless of how well you are stitched.