If you are going private when do you need to decide

[PixieCake]

Hi all,
For those of you who have gone private, at what stage did you decide and swap over? Is it the same price at whatever stage you start going private, or can you save some money by having the scans etc done on the NHS, and then private birth?
Also, how quickly do the private consultants get booked up for delivery?
Thanks

I decided from the beginning that I would go private as my health insurance covered it. I found that with some of the best private consultants, you have to call right away when you find out you are pregnant. Some of them have a maximum number of patients they will take on for each calendar month, so if you happen to be due at the end of the month they could already be fully booked! (DS was due 31 May and some consultants told me they were full for May and I ended up telling one that I was due 1 June!) They also plan their holidays a long time ahead, so best to call as early as possible - if your preferred consultant is on holiday on your due date, you have time to look around for another one.

Thanks pinkpeony. My MW told me to wait until 24 weeks before discussing with consultant because by that stage the pregnancy will be viable. Do you think that is leaving it too late though? I'm 16 weeks preg now.
No idea how early they get booked up.

Hi Pixiecake, I am having a private scan tomorrow and I saw on their website the different prices depending on what week you book in from. Its called the birth company on Harley st, worth googling just for a bit of info.

Thanks Lucypeanut, will take a look now.