Going private at St Thomas'

[1stTimeMummy]

Hi All

Is there anyone out there who is going private (or has done in the past) at St Thomas'?

I'm considering it at the moment and would be interested in hearing about others experiences.

Thanks

Molly

Lockets my going rate would be over 600,000 pounds but I get your point!

Holiday

A Christmas baby, for your third!!! Now that has made me cop on to myself with my small time stresses over organisation.

Are you up to your eyes thinking about making Christmas nice/fun for the others combined with having everything ready for the new baby, what a fabulous Christmas present for the family though and how special at this time of year. I am spending my first Christmas in London (as can't fly home to Ireland) after living here for 7 years and am really really upset at the idea. I adore Christmas and it just isn't going to be even remotely the same. I know I should be thinking of starting my new family life here (first Christmas since getting married)and setting up my own traditions but as it will have to be based around my inlaws I sort of have to go with the flow (not easy for an ever so slightly obsessive compulsive like myself).

M

Spudballo

Do you mind if I ask what led to your decision to go to the Portland. I've pretty much decided to go private at St Thomas's at this stage although have been disappointed as my first choice consultant isn't available and none of the other choices are jumping out at me as being perfect. I never really considered going to a private hospital as I was always told it was best to be in an NHS in case anything goes wrong with the baby. I'm not sure about in London, but I know in Dublin (sorry, where I'm from) that if you are in a private hospital and there is a problem with the baby that you get separated ie they rush the baby to an NHS equivalent and you stay in your private hospital.

Blueshoes

Thanks a million for your comment on the neonatal ICU and Special Care Baby Unit. There is no question that its really comforting because unfortunately "you just never know" and that is my main reason for wanting to be at St Thomas' despite its slightly grubby, innercity feeling. I'm sure that the care in an emergency is - as good as it gets.

Finger crossed for us all, that we won't need the special care though.

Ladies, I have to say that the best information that I've received about hospitals during my preganancy so far has been through this website -thank you all very much.
M

I wasn't impressed with the paperwork/info from St Thomas and felt that they could make more of an effort considering the cost is the same as the Portland

Have you looked at St Marys?

In the end it was the consultant who swung it for me, I wanted to go with Dr Gibb who only delivers at the Portland. I had concerns re the Portland as they don't have maternal intensive care there, but they do have a high dependency unit which can deal with all childbirth related 'issues'. But non childbirth related and you ship out to either the NHS or the private intensive care clinic on Harley St. There are only a TINY amount of ladies transferred each year, out of thousands of births at the portland and I decided I was comfortable with that. A good friend of mine is a neonatal nurse and had her baby at the portland, if the facilities for poorly babies there are good enough for her then they are for me too!

the Portland is hideously more expensive than thomas', but I'm lucky to be covered by my medical insurance.

I had a very traumatic first birth and have a dreadful fear of hospitals. Thomas' brought on a panic attack for me which also pretty much ruled it out.

x

Spudballo

Sorry to hear about your traumatic first birth, I hope this one is much easier and have no doubt that the luxurious Portland will allow you to re-cover in style. Thats great that your insurance covers it. I didn't realise that my insurance didn't cover me until after I got pregnant, I'm the first of my friends and a bit clueless so I guess I should stick with Thomas' as its expensive enough. I had Mr Kelleher highly recommended but unfortunately he is going on holiday a week after I'm due so don't really want to take the chance. He recommends another chap who's name I can't spell, so I'm going into see him on Wednesday night, fingers crossed he is nice/personable.

Thanks again for all your help and wishing you a really quick/smooth birth this time round.

M