If you had the choice, would you go for private maternity care over the NHS?

[Mintie190]

Hi, this may be a bit premature but there is a strong chance I may need to have a c-section for medical reasons and if so, I will be covered by my private health insuranace (although there is likely to be some shortfall which I will make up which I am prepared to do).

My hospital is UCLH but I would have the private procedure at the Westminster Unit/Lansdell Suite at St Thomas and Guy's because the private consultant I have an appointment to see works out of there. I would have preferred to go to the Fitzrovia Suite at UCH but my private health insurance doesn't recognise it.

I could still have the c-section at UCH but just as an NHS patient. My insurance would cover me for a private room afterward if there was one available.

I think UCH is a great hospital when I get attention but didn't have a great birth there last time with my DD1 (they didn't believe I was in labour and only got on a bed when I was fully dilated, delivered 45 mins later, baby and me in shock and had some complications as a consequence). So far this pregnancy, my care has been a bit hit and miss. I am being regularly monitored because of the condition which is likely to prompt a c-section but Dr's review of my/baby's condition leaves a lot to be desired. Although there is no continuity of care, I keep seeing the same not very impressive Dr and he says that he won't discuss delivery options until 39 weeks - way too late in my opinion. Was really annoyed last week after my appointment last week which prompted me to seek a private opinion.

I'm conscious that a c-section is "major surgery" and that I do tend to get more attentive care in the private system in the limited use I have had of it. However, as I said above, UCH is a very reputable hospital for maternity care.

Any thoughts on whether I should go private or take my chance on the NHS?

And, do you get a scheduled day for the c-section on the NHS which they stick to or will I end up waiting around for days not knowing whether I will be called in that day and meanwhile risking going into labour which will likely mean an emergency situation for me and baby.

Thanks!

Personally if I had the option, I'd go private. But that's just me!

DS1: I went private; consultant worked out of the Landsell Suite. Ended up needing an EMCS. Can't fault the care I received.
DS2: had a planned CS on the NHS due to vasa praevia. I spent 3 weeks in the NHS ward in Thomas' before the CS and 2 days there afterwards. Less good. Some balls were dropped but not, as far as I can tell, with any lasting ill effects.

With DS2, I knew from entering hospital that I needed a CS, as going into labour would almost certainly have been the end of everything. They set a date for the CS, and told me that if things happened before that, it would be a crash CS. I magine (only speculation) that they'll set a date for you at, say, 37 weeks, in the expectation that you won't spontaneously go into labour before that.

Funnily enough I did it exactly the opposite way round. CS privately at the Landsell suite first time then ELCS on the NHS at UCH.

Both were managed pretty smoothly and I got more touchy feely care at the Landsell but in terms of clinical care, it was better at UCH. DD was actually 5 weeks premature but the Landsell I think were a bit cavalier about her because she was such a good weight. With DS at UCH we were readmitted after a week for jaundice and in retrospect that should also have happened with DD three years earlier. I felt very closely monitored at UCH.

I got a scheduled day at UCH which was stuck to - but I knew I could have been bumped in the event of emergencies.

There's no doubt it's nicer to be in a private room - I really don't get why it's ok to put recovering women and their new babies in rooms with four or five other newborn babies - they wouldn't put recovering heart surgery patients in to recover with 5 new babies! But it was perfectly fine. Food was disgusting (and not enough to feed a flea) but I supplemented with chocolates that people brought me so was fine!

Yes definitely, wouldn't even consider otherwise if private healthcare are paying for it

Definitely private and I work with the nhs!

If the cost is not an object and private is on offer then definetly private.

I work in the nhs and can't really fault the antenatal & postnatal care I've had but if I had the choice,definitely private!Same good,highly trained consultants but everything made more convenient for you,nicer food and who would want to be in a 4 bed bay with 3 other crying babies when you could be in your own room?!

I wouldn't go private for maternity.

Private is great for routine, easy cases which don't throw up any issues. Pretty rooms, attentive staff etc.

Just watch out if you need anything that could be classed as an extra.

Congratulations!

After the crap experience of the NHSin the past 9 months if I had the option to go private next time I defiantly would x

Never, in the past 5 years I've been in a car crash and had two extremely prem deliveries at 26 and 24 weeks the latter resulting in a hysterectomy. I have nothing absolutely nothing but praise for the nhs teams and dedication and care we have received. My youngest son was lucky enough to be given the very latest treatment pre delivery and as a result has incredibly healthy lungs for his gestation he would never have got that other than on the NHS.

Thanks for all your responses. Good to see a divergence of views which possibly explans why I am in 2 minds myself. Do you think if the baby needs special care that that could be provided by the NHS or does private birth mean that both of us are in the private system? I reckon baby could be treated under the NHS from the moment of birth or transfer from private birthing suite to NHS special care unit. I guess I should ask these questions when I see the private consultant on Monday.

When DD was born potentially needing special care (prem) the special care would have been NHS. As it happened, she was fine despite being very early and needed no extra help but no question it would have been NHS.

I work for NHS and our consultants also do private work... however the private work is fitted around the NHS patients..
so private procedures done during lunchtimes or after a working day. this is for both obs and gynae work.
having had both mine in the same room of same NHS hospital I would trust my colleagues again with my care BUT at end of day it is what you feel comfortable with in your most vulnerable and precious moments :)