Postnatal stays

[raspberrycheesecake]

A question about post natal stays by which I mean being able to stay in a hospital, midwife led unit or "equivalent" (by which I am open to ideas such as the equivalent of mother and baby homes if there is such a thing in this context, or even hotels although hotels are not really what I had in mind).

Most people want to get home after a hospital birth as quickly as they possibly can which I can totally understand.

But say, theoretically and for reasons I won't bore you with the mother and new baby wanted to positively opt to stay on a post natal ward, hospital ward, midwife led unit, or a mother and baby unit how can she do this? Is it entirely up to the medical staff who advised on the childbirth (i.e. depends on medical need only).

Assuming there are no medical complications and the mother wanted to have a hospital birth (possibly by C section as she has already had one C section) but after the birth she wants a pre arranged plan to stay on a guaranteed basis for say 2 weeks or maybe even 3 weeks.

Am I right in thinking her only choice (assuming there are no medical issues) is to pay for private healthcare? And if yes how does that private healthcare work (eg does she arrange to pay an NHS hospital for her room and then reclaim the money from BUPA or equivalent? I know nothing about private maternity birthing clinics (apart from that they are expensive) and have not really researched because in this case it is not the birth itself which she is happy to have in an NHS hospital, but the post natal period when she would like a bit of support although fairly low key support (she even seems happy with the idea of self catering facilities although obviously somewhere which does meals would be ideal if she has a newborn.

Any ideas? Even just a confirmation that this type of thing does not exist or is not provided for in the UK (if you don't have a medical need) would be useful. If it does exist what website should I look at? She is happy to pay but does not consider herself in the "private birthing unit" league (i.e. she does not have thousands spare) and she is very happy with the sparten frugal approach to things! (I am thinking "sheltered housing" accommodation!!)

thanks

Think you might be better/cheaper arranging for help in your own home once baby born.

She would be best talking to a midwife led birthing centre - I know someone who was able to transfer to one after her planned cs (id twins with single sac) to stay for a week or so.

I doubt an nhs hospital would let someone occupy a bed for that long if there was no medical reason for them to be there. Agree that some kind of help once you're home would be worth looking into as I'm not sure why anyone would want to pay to stay in hospital if there's nothing wrong with them.....surely that's not what hospitals are there for?

If you are in London, then she can give birth on the NHS and then transfer to a private hospital for after care. I know John and Lizzies offer this and I bet the Portland do too.

I think it depends on the facilities available in her area. I have a Maternity Centre very local to me and I plan to go there for a few days after I leave hospital (unless any complications prevent this). It is an NHS facility and therefore completely free so they are definitely around!

However, I am also very aware that many local Maternity Centres in my area have closed down in recent years so it may be difficult for her to find one. I think I just got lucky...

I am positively hoping for a stay in the MLU I'm booked into. It's lovely and I am hoping to stay in at least 2 nights while I get to grips with BFing, am looked after by the lovely midwives and don't have to worry about visitors at all hours of the day (visiting is only 3-9 for anyone other than Dad)

If I end up in the local DGH I will be getting out of there as quickly as my legs will carry me as I have only heard and witnessed atrocious things about their PN care (or lack of it)

Oh, and where I'm booked allows you to stay as long as you like as long as it's within reason and they have room

I cant think of any NHS hospital postnatal ward that would let you stay for 2-3 weeks with no medical need. Frankly I dont think your friend will find the care she receives on the average postnatal ward will be something she wants for that length of time anyway.

I know of someone who was able to spend 7 nights 'rooming in' at a local midwife led birthing centre - she would have had to leave if new labouring women needed the room though.

I think a postnatal doula at home would be worth considering. My friend currently has one for 4 hours/day who charges £15/hr. Depends on your friends circumstances really.

Also dont think you will be able to claim through BUPA or similar either - as they only insure for medical needs and normal pregnancy is standardly exempt. If your friend has had a previous CS and has been advised to have another one she may be able to claim for the second section in part or whole but not for 2-3 weeks of medically unnecessary postnatal care.