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Original poster

Cost of having a private cesarean in the UK?

24 replies

lolabanola · 04/09/2010 07:44

Hi,

Sorry, this may be a bit long!!

Just wondering if anyone knows the cost of having a cesarean done at a private hospital?

I am 37+5 weeks with my first baby, the NHS hospital that I was due to have a natural birth at only picked up on Wednesday that I had a low lying placenta, yesterday I went to see the consultant who said that It would be too dangerous for me to give birth naturally and said that I would have to have a cesarean, he checked his dates and can't get me in until the 24th September, when I will be 40+4 ... which I really am not happy about. I have already been told that there is a big risk if I go into labour naturally, so I told the doctor that I wasn't happy going over my due date, his answer though was that I'll probably be overdue anyway(god knows how he knows). I asked what would happen if I do go into labour before the 24th and he said just to phone 999 and then they will do an emergency cesarean on me.

He said with a dead pan face that they could damage my bladder, my bowel, they may have to remove my womb or they could cut the baby's head ... I could also catch an infection, bleed to death or have to have a transfusion (will he said i'll probably have to have a transfusion anyway especially as i'm anaemic). He then told me to sign the consent forms, when I said I wanted to read them he told me not to bother and just to sign! lol I did insist on reading them though! ... obviously he has to prepare me for the worst but he has made me more worried than I have ever been in my life!

I also questioned the babys weight as she is already 6 pound 11, if they make me go another 3 weeks she'll be huge! Again he just ignored me. Anyway, have an appointment on Tuesday with the midwife so I will raise my concerns with her. Really not happy with the midwife either ... never met this one but this will be the third one I have had, the first one retired and the other one has disappeared!

So, does anyone know the cost of going private as I really have no faith at the minute in his doctor!!

OP posts:

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HarderToKidnap · 04/09/2010 07:48

Where in the country are you?

It does seem a little odd that they are waiting until you are 40+4 to section you for low lying placenta. How many centimetres away from the os is the edge of the placenta (should say on your scan report)?

As for your other concerns - well, the risks of a section, as your doctor outlined, are the same everywhere. Going private won't change those risks that are inherent to having a section or indeed any surgery. And I would relax about the baby's weight if I were you - if you are having a section, does it matter how big the baby is? And the weight is perfectly normal for your gestation, bag on average.

differentnameforthis · 04/09/2010 07:50

Second opinion definitely re the dates. He cannot know that you will go over.

The risk he told you are risk associated with routine elective sections too, so not exclusive to emergency. They are general careful in either case, but yes, accidents do & can happen. They are risks you take either way!

Can't help you on cost of private. But hope you get some answers!

lucy101 · 04/09/2010 07:52

I was told yesterday that in London at my hospital that it was £8000! I think you can probably make a bit more fuss and get the CS on the NHS moved forward.

Original poster

lolabanola · 04/09/2010 07:56

I'm in the west mids,

There are no other dates available other than the 24th!

I know that he was just telling me the risks and this is part of his job to do so but I don't have any faith in him at all, now the only person I can talk to is the midwife on Tuesday who I have never met before!

Thanks for all of the responses.

OP posts:

AramintaAlice · 04/09/2010 08:43

Lola, this is crazy..the doctor sounds like a real bully.

I've never heard of anything like this on the NHS, I had an emergency section as baby number 7 was breech and began arriving 2 weeks before the planned section date.

As I'd had a previous section they couldn't risk me going into natural labour and the emergency was performed perfectly beautifully.

No problems and no complications. just lovely surgeons, anaethetists and midwives.

I really think you should complain about this awful man - I'm sure his managers would be mortifed to hear of him terrifying a pregnant woman in such a way.

I'm so sorry you've had this ordeal hug

AramintaAlice · 04/09/2010 08:46

In fact, (sorry to go on) I'm amazed that they didn't deliver your baby there and then with a low lying placenta.

Please go back and ask to speak to another doctor or speak to your midwife or gp to get some help to deal with this.

Good luck :)

LadyBiscuit · 04/09/2010 08:49

Of course they can fit you in earlier - how ridiculous. I had to have one on the day and they just did it (was 39 weeks)

They have to tell you the risks of CS - but really they are pretty low, especially if it's an elective.

Ephiny · 04/09/2010 11:49

Consultants usually charge about £2000 for C-section only, though you'd have to pay hospital fees on top of that for private care, which will be several thousand more, depending on how long your stay is. Your problems are going to be that even if you can afford it, there isn't much private maternity care outside London, and it's usually advisable to book early as the private consultants' schedules tend to fill up - no harm in asking though.

But I agree it's really bad you can't get it earlier on the NHS, surely a different consultant could do it if this one isn't available. Can you ask for a second opinion from another NHS consultant? I'm pretty sure you have the right to do this.

TitsalinaBumSquash · 04/09/2010 11:54

Is there not another NHS hospital you can transfer to? The consultant doesn't seem to be concerned about your wishes and has obviously scared you.
Some Dr's have appalling bedside manner i have discovered this an awful lot in the past few years.
Maybe ask to see a different consultant or another hospital.

thelittlestkiwi · 04/09/2010 11:55

I struggled to get a date for an C section for breech in NZ. But my Dr told me that if I showed any sign of going into labour they would whip me in quickly. He then listed the signs he considered an issue. I can't remember many of them now but one was a show. Luckily I got a date 8 days before my DD.

You could ask them what will happen if you show signs and ask what they are.

Good luck.

emmyloulou · 04/09/2010 12:15

Why would they section there and then as a poster has suggested? Guidance for most trusts now is 39 weeks minimum for an elective, due to a risk in breathing problems at 37/38 weeks. Most are fine but when it happens it's not fun trust me and I see why they have upped the recommendation.

I am old hat at sections this will be my 4th, I have had every complication in my pregnancies going, GDD, low lying placenta in one, breech, early labour, mutiple sections etc...

They will section you as an emergency if they feel there is any signs of labour coming, or any immediate risk, so if you were contracting or bleeding or niggly they would have sectioned you, as it stands you are just a case for an elective is what he is saying as I presume the low lying placenta is nto currently causing issues such as bleeds?

Also the risks are the same no matter where you go. The thing is some dr's can be really blunt and not exactly helpful, so you can complain to the mw and ask to transfer care, but at this late stage you may find it an issue where ever you go trying to get an elective slot, it will be a case of come in and lets assess you, if they feel labour could start or what not they will section you there and then before things get properly going. I think you will look back on this in a few weeks and see you were worried about nothing, it's just your consultant wasn't great at explaining things.

serendipity16 · 04/09/2010 14:03

Your consultant doesn't sound very good imo.
I would ask to speak to another consultant at your hospital or ask to go to another hospital.
I don't understand why they can't fit you in before the 24th.

My hospital don't book elective c-section until about 2wks before. I'm due my 4th c-section & will book mine at 33wks ready for a c-section at 35wks.

I also saw you mention your babys weight. I don't think your baby is large for your dates so i wouldn't worry about having a huge baby. Two of my babies were 6lbs 4ozs at 33+5 and 6lbs 1oz at 34+1.

Best of luck & i hope you get a better consultant.

ItalyLovingMummy · 04/09/2010 14:08

I think you need to kick up a fuss unfortunately and maybe you will get somewhere. Also, like someone else has mentioned, it is your patient choice to say you want to be treated at another hospital (if you have another hospital near). I do believe that some doctors/midwives hope that we will put up with poor service because, especially if its your first DC, you don't really know what your rights are. My friends who made a stink about things not being right when they were pregnant certainly got a lot better treatment than those myself and other friends of mine who said nothing - I will remember that if I have another DC! Good luck, hope you get your date brought forward.

Applemuncher · 04/09/2010 15:22

Without a doubt - ask for another consultant. You have to feel confident/comfortable with what you're going to do and this guy just isn't doing it!!!

Ask for someone else, and quickly!!!

lucybrad · 04/09/2010 16:43

I presume that they just gave you a date for routine cs, but if you go into labour then they will perform an emcs (same procedure - just not prebooked). Drs a prat though because of his manner....

BramblyHedge · 04/09/2010 21:37

No help on the cost question but my ds was born at 37+6 and was 6lb 12oz - this wasn't considered large for dates. I don't think the size of baby needs to be a worry though the rest is more concerning. The risks are the standard risks they spelt out for my emcs and almost failed vbac with ds2 (I did actually end up with a transfusion) - I don't think it sounds like he was saying you were more at risk of these than anyone else having a c-section. It does seem his manner and attitude may be at fault though and not getting an earlier date is crap. TBH if you go into labour, they will do the c-section there and then and as long as you go in early it shouldn't be too different.

fuschiagroan · 04/09/2010 21:39

You need a second opinion quickly. Also, if I was you I would write to the Chief Executive and kick the shit off. How can he say you will probably go over? 'Probably' isn't really good enough. Unfortunately some doctors think they're God.

CrispyTheCrisp · 04/09/2010 21:47

Tbh, if you have got to 37+ weeks with a low lying placenta, you have done well and you have a healthy baby of good weight. Mine was so low i was always having a CS, however they will wait as long as possible. I only got to 36 weeks (before bleeding) and had an emergency section which was very calm.

Yes, i would expect them to schedule in at 39 weeks, but be aware you may well not get there anyway.

I would go back to them, ask to speak to the head of midwifery and discuss your concerns. If necessary (and you are really worried) then ask to change to a different hospital

blimey · 04/09/2010 21:58

Contact PALs for your hospital- patient liasion service - they can kick ass when there is a complaint.
I guess the problem is the system just does not allow booking of extra caesarians but they can easily book in an emergency one when necessary. the guy clearly needs to improve his communication skills though.
your local private hospital should be in the phone book you can call them to get the cost if you want to go this route. dr foster has reviews of hospitals so you can check this out.

LittleSilver · 05/09/2010 07:07

OMG at the consent!!! I'd be complaining to the GMC for that issue alone, and OP, would strongly recommend you complain about that point, that is awful!

Original poster

lolabanola · 05/09/2010 13:21

Many Thanks for everyone's comments, the Doctor actually worried me sick - have an appointment on Tuesday with a new midwife so will see what she has to say, will keep you all posted!

Apparently the doctor looked at all other NHS hospitals in my surrounding area and they are all fully booked for c sections. Anyway, we will see what they come out with on tuesday! Just hope I can get the op moved to before my actual due date!!

OP posts:

Lulumaam · 05/09/2010 13:26

i'd get confirmation re the low lying plcaenta issue, as it is something that would usually have been picled up on and if it was dangerous and too low for natural birth, there would probably have been signs of that already.. i/e bleeding

i would get that confirmed, then ask for a different consulatnt

electives will be available before your due date, with a different consultatn

if you go into labour, you will be given a c.section that day. so don't worry about that bit

daisystone · 05/09/2010 16:41

If you want to be accurate call your nearest private hospital and just ask them.

My husband has got it in his head that he wants me to go privately now as he has decided he has no faith in the NHS and isn't happy with how our local hospital maternity ward runs. He therefore did a bit of research on our local private hospital.

I am fine going with NHS but if it makes him happy to have a back up plan and to have done his research then I shall let him.

Either say you are not happy with the date they have given you and make a fuss or call a private hospital and ask.

oggybags · 05/09/2010 17:02

where in the mids are you? im leics way and the mw says there is a huge baby boom causing waits on everything (my first scan is 15 weeks, theyve know I was preg from 5)so could you look at other health authorities, eg shropshire, warwicks, notts etc depending on location?
hope all goes well x

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