New and Nervous

[stellala]

Hi all. I'm American and new to London and pretty sure I'm pg (testing in a few days, but having many early symptoms). We are on assignment here and may stay longer than originally thought, which means we would give birth here.

I am almost 36 and worry about making sure I get all of the appropriate scaen, etc. Please recommend your OB, midwife, hospital, etc. I do have private healthcare but am also eligible for NHS care and simply want whatever is best.)I am trying to sort through so much info!

Many, many thanks!

Hi, stellala. I'm a bit unique on MN - an American posting in the US. I've been on for about 2+ years and from what I have gathered regarding the NHS I would say stick with your private insurance. The British system is quite different from ours in the US and I believe it would be a bit of a shock to you. From reading about it I know it would be to me! Also, since you are an older mom like me you want to be able to have a bit of extra care IYKWIM.

As soon as you get a + test go see your GP
They can then set up the appts for scans and midwife appts on the nhs. They can also sort out referral to go private

www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=1365&threadid=193297
Some private recommendations on this thread

www.expatparent.com/ is also useful

PS, I have had an amnio with ds and with this current pg. Not bad at all if you decide to go that route. I am definitely more relaxed having the results.

Can anyone in London recommend their OB? GP? I have one but not too thrilled)... Hospital?

Thanks!

Hi I'm sure this is no help but GPs also have rough catchment areas too most prefer people to be within a certain distance. Same for hospitals generally there will be up to 3 locally and you're given a choice (depending on space). Again you generally don't have a OB here unless problems/issues. I also thought you had to live here for 2 years before being eligable for NHS or use medicare which only covers you for emergencies (and I guess strictly speaking a birth term "planned" birth isn't) but I'm not too sure about the later bit. I'm not sure what you're used to health care wise hopefully you've not needeed to get used to much at all but I think you might find our good old NHS a bit basic!!

the good thing about having your baby here is that you will be able to have a more natural/less interventionist birth if that is your bag. an ob isn't a matter of course here.most normal births/pregnancies are tended by midwives.

where in london are you? what are your feelings about natural versus medical?
if you are going to use your insurance and go private then the portland is good for r a more medically controlled birth(iyswim) and i believe st john and st elizabeth very good for a more natural way of things.

Thanks for all of the responses. I think I prefer a consultant led birth since midwives are basically unheard of in the States. I've heard bad things about some of the private places not having emergency services. I am in central London (W1). It's nervewracking for someone whose friends all got early scans and amnios in the States (where they are routine). I would consider a midwife, but I'm pretty sure I'll want an epidural, etc. It is so different here. So many decisions to make!

Trust your instincts stellala. I used a midwife here in the US (weird I know, but it was at a teaching hospital so I thought it was safe). Horrible experience, my birth story is in the archives but you probably don't want to read it.

They had said that my age shouldn't be an issue but as it turned out they really didn't handle me as they should have - re: checking my thyroid on schedule, which I told them about on my first checkup, etc. This time around it's a medical birth all the way. I have been thrilled with my OB.

Midwifery led care can be brilliant. There is often no need whatsoever to see an ob unless there is a medical problem. I wouldn't decide for certain that you want a epidural etc either, they're not brilliant (mine didn't work properly and that is fairly common). I think US has a much more medical approach to birth. Having said all that if you have private medical care I'd go for that.

Thanks for the thoughts. I am learning more and more as I keep reading this site and others. It's just a different approach, I guess. I'll likely go private, but may not. Depends on the personalities involved. If anyone else is nearby (in central London), I'd love to hear your stories.

Stellala, I thought it might be helpful to share this with you. My brother and his wife are both British but lived in the States for years and had their first child there. They are now back in London, she is pregnant again and really shocked by British antenatal healthcare - doesn't like her GP, can't believe she won't get to see an obstetrician till she is in labour, and probably not even then!

They have been considering going private, but the cost is putting them off and they will probably hire a private midwife or doula instead. This is a lot cheaper than going to a private hospital, but it means you will have someone with you who you know and trust. This is something you might want to consider, but it depends what sort of birth you want. Are you planning an active drug-free birth, or do you wanat it more medicalised? Different hospitals (both NHS and private) have slightly different focuses and reputations.

I recommend the Fetal Medicine Centre in Harley Street (private) for prenatal scans.

This site will help you compare consultants/hospitals

dr foster

Thank you both! That website is fantastic. I am not sure what is better for me, so I want to find a place that has options.