Roughly how much does a private C-section cost?

[Sproggle]

Rough, or even better an up to date exact figure would be great.

Thank you!

here

When I looked into it, it was at least £5k (at the Chelsea and Westminster)

Thanks all, don't know why but the ventouse charge made me chuckle. As if to add insult to injury!

Anyone know how to convince an NHS consultant to give you a section based on previous birth trauma and GD?

I think that if you've had a traumatic birth experience then you should push to speak to a consultant and argue your case for an elective c-s.

In your case, request/demand a meeting with a consultant, go armed with lots of info about c-sections to show that you understand the risks and stand your ground. It will make a big difference to your emotional well being during your pregnancy to not be worried about the birth.

I had an em c-s with DS1 after a very long and difficult labour and was determined to have an elective this time round. All the staff at the hospital were very supportive, however am now going for a VBAC as have had counseling and am having 1 to 1 midwife care with the same midwife for all antenatal, birth and postnatal care which has helped hugely. These things can make a difference to how you feel about your impending birth and I can't believe how I've come full circle and am now looking forward to a VBAC. It has taken a lot of talking with a lot of different people, and the fact that we're at a different hospital which is one of the major factors for my change of heart.

Hope that helps - sorry for the essay!

previous traumatic birth and section and / or tokophobia is a reason to get a c. section on the NHS

Thank you.

Lulu I haven't had a previous section - had an instrumental delivery, will they still consider my request?

if you are traumatised enough to want to pay for a section to ensure you get one, then yes..

phobia of giving birth , and a bad delivery first time, is a reason that at the least, has to be given some weight

10-12k at the chelsea. consultant's fees will be around 6k and that's before anaesthetist, nightly charge etc.

I had a csection for my first due to my complete horror of the thought of VB so it is possible to get on on NHS without having had a previous one. Talk to your consultant but do your homework and take someone with you for support - if they refuse ask for a second opinion (I had to). In view of your traumatic experience you should be able to get them to agree. Good luck.

The costs quoted for a private c-section do not take into account that any complications arising from a c-section will also incur costs such as extra nights needed if an infection plus the cost of the srugs. There are many hidden expenses. Has your consultant refused you a c-section because I am not sure they can do that. If he/she has, change consultants and/or hospital, you should be able to get this on the NHS. Plus I believe it is safer having surgery in an NHS hospital where they have every specialist there. Many private hospitals for example do not have neonatal facilities should they be needed necessitating ambulance to NHS.

I looked into this in some depth with my first pregnancy.

You shouldn't need to pay if you had a traumatic vaginal delivery. Just ask to see the Consultant, and explain your reasons.

If you go private, expect to pay around £10-12K all in.

If you just go private for the birth, then I think that cost would be around half.

I went private (Portland) for both my kids (absolutely COULD NOT consider the idea of a natural birth) and would recommend it to anyone.

T'was wonderful!

I had a traumatic vaginal delivery - rotational forceps in theatre when DD got distressed after hours stuck in wrong position. Lots of internal and external tears and damamge, very unhappy bladder.

My consultant has agreed an elective this time round. I read up on the risks and made it clear that I wasn't seeing it as the easy option, but I wanted to avoid further bladder and pelvic floor trauma physically, and further emotional trauma of another DC getting stuck/forceps/appalling pain etc.

Good luck and do get a second opinion if you need it.

How pregnant are you? NHS consultants only really begin to discuss birth methods in detail in the third trimester. If you are at that state, book two appointments with a consultant, about a week apart. At the first one, say you would like a c-seciton and state your reasons. They may try to talk you out of it and outline all the risks, Listen politely. At the next appointment, go back in and say you've considered all the risks, read the literature and would still like a section. They really can't refuse you. Birth trauma and GD are perfectly valid reasons.

I had an NHS elective (first birth) at the C&W. GP referred me to a sympathetic consultant. This was ten years ago. At the time St Thomas' would also do an elective if you had had a traumatic previous birth. I would follow oranges's advice - Teflon also has some good advice on another current thread (about second time etc).

Be honest about your reasons for wanting one, cry if you have to - I did - and don't give in if it's really what you want.

Counselling might help you either way - I got free psychoanalytic therapy at my hospital with a therapist who specialises in traumatic births. It took lots of phoning around and - again - some crying, but it really helped me get over my first experience.

And I also got the section I wanted by being up front and assertive about my reasons for wanting one.

Ultimately, find out who legally has the final word about your birth method. I think you'll find it's you, not them.

The Portland, C&W and St Thomas's are all within £100 of each other for the hospital costs - the average £5100, including 1 night
On top of this, you have to pay consultant fees, which are between £4-6k depending on the consultant, and anaesthetist fees, which are between £350 and £750 depending on the hospital, plus scans and bloodwork (about another £750)
Extra nights in hospital are around £1k.

If you have medical insurance, you can't claim for the antenatal portion, but depending on your policy, they may have a list of circumstances under which they will pay out the birth and/or aftercare portion, including non-progression of labour, pre-eclampsia and breech.

It is worth telling your consultant from the off if you have insurance though

Watford General £3400 for delivery plus £2600 hospital costs inlcuding a 4 night stay + £500 epidural / spinal = £6.5k