C-section with BUPA

[Bellabelloo]

Anyone successfully had a c-section on their private healthcare with BUPA? I have been told that a c-section is necessary on the NHS so thought I'd see if I can get it done privately. Number of reasons, age, gestational diabetes so baby is big, will be put straight on medication to make me menopausal and the baby is still breach at 34 weeks.

I hear it can be tricky for get them to cover. Any success stories or tips? Doesn't matter if I can't but thought it was worth a shot - slightly more comfortable for me and frees up the NHS.

Thanks.

Hi, when I found out I was pregnant I looked at my bupa cover and it didn't cover any maternity services unfortunately! However perhaps your cover is different? Have a look at your policy booklet

I personally would be a bit scared to do it on private healthcare. I've always had PHC through work and had quite a few different procedures and ops over the years. I also had a c-section on NHS. All the other services you might need are right there. I struggled to BF as no supply coming through. Regional BF coordinator was with me helping, 30 mins after a nurse requested help. And all the other things you don't really want, but might need, are right there.

My baby was breach and I'm disabled/complex joint problems. Go with widespread expertise rather than guaranteed private room and posh menu.

I just had a private room afterwards. Was much safer in an nhs hospital but my children are 17, 15 & 9!

My old boss (an anesthetist) has always said if you need an operation dont have it done at a private hospital as if something goes wrong blood will be transported from the nhs hospital and any back up surgeon will also come from the nhs hospital. I have had 4 sections, my last was delivered at 38 weeks due to size (11.6lbs) and him being transverse, i was just shy of 40. I cannot fault my care with any of my sections both during and afterwards. Good luck with your baby and any decision you make.

You can have private care in many nhs hospitals though.

The more complications you have the more reason to go with the NHS. Private hospitals dont have the same resources to deal with emergency situations.

Yes, as Mimi says it would still be in an NHS hospital - but on a private wing and you can choose the consultant and just have a bit more comfort. It also allows you to choose which hospital (my local one isn't spoken very highly of and is often overstretched with expectant mums being turned away when in labour).

Like I said, not knocking the NHS at all, but if it saves the NHS a few thousand, then great! I had treatment for cancer a few years ago, and by having private healthcare would have saved the NHS hundreds of thousands. That's not a bad thing. I had all of my treatment and surgery at the Royal Marsden which is part NHS, part private and all consultants work in both sectors.

Loads of them are the exact same hospitals, operating theatres and staff!

I had two lots of health insurance (through both my and my husband's employment perks). Neither covered anything maternity related. I needed a CS for medical reasons (growth restricted baby and problem with blood flow through the placenta). I ended up paying myself to go private, so I could choose my surgeon and deliver in a hospital with a top level nicu as we didn't know how bad the baby was in, rather than my poorly regarded local hospital. I opted for the Westminster Suite at Tommies. I consider it money well spent.

Thanks Eurochick. X

Me - BUPA has authorised my c-section I need for medical reasons. My consultant had to write and set out the clinical reasons. I was told that even if the circumstances are clear, it can be a bit of a battle, but I didn't come across this. One point I would make though, is if the c-section is for medical reasons, don't switch over to private until 36 weeks+. Private maternity wings within NHS hospitals are of course incredibly safe, but they are not set up for ante-natal complications. Acute teams much more available on NHS/if you needed to be admitted prior to section at any point, BUPA don't cover this so you would be forking out per night etc. Plus if you then transferred back to NHS care at that point, you can't then switch back to private again - can only make the move once. Best is to see a number of consultants who work privately at the hospital you are planning to deliver at, and see what they say to you. First consultations (or 'meet and greets') tend to be free so you can see as many as you like. They will also have access to all your NHS notes/records if you stay at the same hospital.

Thanks Barefoot. I am 34 weeks at the moment so looking to start the ball rolling as it would be mid-Jan and we have Christmas and New Year in the middle.

I will get my consultant to refer me and see how I get on.

Thank you!!

X

That's quite late to start looking, although I managed it in a similar time scale. Some consultants just weren't available though.

It was only at my appointment today that they would even discuss my birthing options and said they would strongly recommend a c-section. I've been trying to talk to them about it for ages!!

It depends where you are OP - it is true in London they book up months in advance (mine has been booked since October for March). But I'm sure there will be some availability (I do know people who have moved over that late), so get on the phone! Also you need the authorisation to come through from BUPA unless you want to pay the full amount and then get reimbursed, and to do that you consultant has to have written the report. You can of course get your NHS doctor to write the letter (they don't care which it comes from) so i'd do that immediately.

Can I pls discuss this further with you?

@Barefootcontessa84 What is the best way to contact you to discus this? I will greatly appreciate it.

[quote njhere]@Barefootcontessa84 What is the best way to contact you to discus this? I will greatly appreciate it.[/quote]
You are probably best starting your own new thread @njhere. This one is 5 years old and the posters on it may not be around anymore.