What's the cheapest place to "go private" in London?

[PuffPants]

We are ttc baby no2. I had a horrible time with no1, made bearable only by the saving grace of the wonderful epidural. I often think back and wonder how I would have coped if I'd been refused it, as so many women are. I am really frightened of giving birth a second time and desperately want to ensure an epidural (assuming we are lucky enough to get that far, obviously) and suspect paying to go private is the only way I can do that.

Can anyone reccomend anywhere that doesn't cost the earth? It would only be for the birth and I wouldn't care what the food was like or the decor in the bathroom - I just want the drugs!

God, it's just so wrong that pain relief is left to chance during the most traumatic and painful thing many of us will ever experience in our lives...

If you are really only concerned about getting an epidural then maybe there are ways to do this other than going private? Be very clear about your past experience and speak to your midwife team early on etc. You will have a lot of time to think about / discuss this if you are not yet pregnant. I don't know anyone who gave birth in London on the NHS and didn't get an epidural when requested... That of course may not be representative!

I would also note that going private might not NECESSARILY guarantee an epidural (though I bet it would essentially) unless they have a dedicated anaesthesiologist in call. I had my LO at the C&W privately and they have an on call one for the private labour ward. I didn't have an epidural but as I recall epi was an additional £500 or so on top of other hospital fees. C&W absolutely NOT the cheapest in London - there are def cheaper places and going midlife led vs consultant will prob cut the cost in half or thereabouts.

As I say though, you shouldn't need to go private to get an epi.

Also, just going to throw this out there - hopefully you will have a muchnicer birth experience this time and JUST MAYBE you won't feel like you need one!

I agree with the other posts on this thread but to get a quote you just call them up. The consultants will have different charges and the midwifery led service is cheaper and you would still have access to epidural if you wanted. But the best bit about private care is the post natal care, which is blooming brilliant.

I was refused an epidural with DC2, but that's because from the point I started shouting about getting one he was born 5 minutes later!

I was also refused an epidural when I asked for one. Dd was born 20 minutes later.

From what I've heard it's only refused if you're already too far along, which I guess would be true private or NHS.

well, i was pratically refused one, as mws kept trying to convince me not to have one until it was too late.
However I don't think you need to go private to have one. Go to a hospital with a high rate of epis and make sure you have a very vocal advocate with you, who will bring the house down until you get it (dh, dp, mum, doula, whatever). They won't refuse the epidural if you create a big enough fuss :)

I had my dc privately. I also had an epidural and had to wait a long time as the anaesthetist was in theatre. I think the rule here NHS or private is to get your order in early if you think you might want or need one!! You can always turn it down if you think you can manage.

I gave birth in St Thomas' and had an anaesthetist coming to recommend an epidural and wanted to put one in when I didn't want one at just 1 cm so maybe try them. I wasn't private though so I'm not sure of the prices to go private.

Also, if you are really scared then you could request a c-section if that makes you more comfortable and you shouldn't need to go private either.