We've decided to (probably) go private for a planned natural birth, I just wondered if anyone knew the answers to these questions? The reasons we're planning private is solely for the labour itself- I'm tocophobic and am aware of the staff shortages in central London, so having a familiar Obstetrician attending my labour would be hugely reassuring. I am happy with the antenatal care offered via the NHS, it's just the delivery I'm worried about. I'm going to phone the Consultant's secretary tomorrow and ask her these questions too, but I'm not sure whether she will know all the answers.
Most of my questions related to cost, as it's a bit of a stretch for us.
- the hospital ask for a substantial booking deposit- what happens if we pay this and then miscarry? (currently in 1st trimester so could happen)
- does the Consultant's fee (around £5,000) also cover the numerous antenatal appointments I will have with them, or will we be billed separately for these?
- will we get charged extra for the antenatal scans and blood tests? We are eligible for NHS care and I wonder if it's possible to go to my normal NHS appointments with the midwife at my GP practice/ the local hospital if this is the case.
- if I need to be admitted antenatally for complications can I still be admitted under NHS care? The hospital we are planning to choose for private care (St Thomas') would be unlikely to accept me for NHS care as I am out of area, so I'm wondering whether I could be admitted to their NHS antenatal ward if I had problems as I'm booked with one of their Consultants privately, or whether I'd need to be booked at a second hospital if I needed NHS antenatal care in the pregnancy? I wouldn't want private antenatal admissions as the costs could spiral and I'd be completely happy with the NHS antenatal care.
- if I/ the baby had a serious problem during delivery I understand that we'd be transferred to NHS care at St Thomas', but does anyone have any experience of how much costs can spiral before the transfer happens?
- how likely is it that my chosen Consultant would be available to attend my delivery? Seeing as it could feasibly happen anytime in a month-long period, I'm wondering how he avoids having other important commitments during that period?!
Thanks for any info.... We just decided to go private yesterday, so I'm really keen to find out more.