Private care and birth?

[gloti]

hi all
I was wondering if someone could give me some advice about how to find out about private care and giving birth privately...
I have googled but dont know where to start really!
this comes from bad experiences in the NHS recently (specifically at the hospital I'm meant to give birth)and would really consider paying for it if I could have a better experience...
I live in Beckenham, Kent so ideally London or south east.
thanks a lot in advance xxxx

portland hosp in london does it- where celebs and royalty go. i had a look on their website and its something ridiculous like 8k- and thats midwives, consulant care is more!
im interested in private options in the manchester area and can find none.
when i was born my mother paid for private obstetric care in nhs hospital, quite common in the 70s she says, but no longer possible i dont think.

theavenueclinic.com/mobile/?page_id=22

I had a private scan at this place and noticed they also do deliveries.

Your other option would be an independent midwife/homebirth. That's what I did and although I had to transfer to hospital she came with me.

Pm me if you'd like the name of the midwife I used - she was great!

thanks everyone Looks like the only London hospital is a bit far so I'm scared I wouldn't make it if I need to go at rush hour! x I'm high risk due to BMI so can't have a home birth will keep looking but might be that have to go the NHS route xxx

Hi. What about a doula or private midwife to hand hold at the delivery? Would that fulfil a similar function? You might feel safer? (although I'm not sure if you're able to bring in a private midwife, but if you contact one, they're bound to know!) I personally wouldn't go private as I am high risk too, and the single consultant led care of the Portland worries me a lot.

A private midwife might be an option, a friend if mine had one and would highly recommend it, there are many options available like having them from the beginning of pregnancy or only from near the end, it also includes 6 weeks post natal care. My friends mw came their house the moment her contractions started and stayed until baby was born. Baby was born at a NHs hospital but the private mw was there as well. I think they paid something like £3k for the mw.

Quite a few hospitals in London ha e private wings, I know Chelsea Westminster, that might be another option.

Good luck

I have just had a private birth w consultant at St Thomas' - excellent but v pricey. PM me if you'd like more info.

I had great independent midwives that would probably cover your area. I had a homebirth in the end and didn't have to go near the hospital. It really made a difference as I got to know them really well beforehand.