Hi NewYorktoLondon--You are me, five years ago! Wish I'd had mumsnet then, or had thought to do the research like you.
If you're interested in hearing it, I'd be delighted to tell you the story of what choices I made (and why) when I was in exactly your shoes, but I have a feeling it'd be more useful to you if I just gave you the lowdown on the basis of what I've learned after having 2 babies here, each at a different hospital.
First, find out how much your insurance will cover if you do go for a private birth. Our covered everything. If your insurance will cover all or most of the birth, then, yes, I think going privately is worth it. Here's why:
- The postnatal care (which is important too!) is meant to be poor at most NHS hospitals. The thinking is, "We helped you give birth safely, now you're on your own!" That may seem OK now, when your main concern is the birth, but it won't seem so OK when you've just given birth and you're tired, maybe a little scared and you feel you've been forgotten about.
- The wards & bathrooms can be dirtyblood, the worksat a lot of NHS hospitals. (Just read some of the stories in the mumsnet archives, or talk to people, or listen to the "shame" campaign the BBC does--or did.)
- If, as an American (?), you're used to the idea of a consultant-led birth, you might be more comfortable knowing that you're having monthly check-ups with an OB-GYN, who will field any questions you have when you have them, and that he/she will deliver your baby. It's the system that most mimics the mainstream system for childbirth in the U.S., if that makes a difference to you.
- But I want to point out that I don't think it's any more or less safe to have a private birth. I think the British healthcare system is fantastic when it comes to childbirth--in both the public and private sector. You'll find advocates of both.
So that's my personal opinion on your question "Is it worth it?"
As for you other questions:
Private Hospitals. I believe the Portland IS a safe option even though there's been a lot of Portland-bashing due to some well-publicized deaths there. (Though I'm sure accidents happen at all hospitals--in fact I know they do.) Still, I'm not crazy about the Portland. I feel like the Portland's strength are the things I don't really care about, i.e. the 5-star hotel experience. I don't really need the "Champagne dinner with your partner," the private bathroom, etc etc. I'm more interested in medical care. I want to know, that in case of the worst, I don't need to be rushed to the nearest NHS hospital. I want to be IN an NHS hospital.
So that's why I chose St. Mary's private wing, the Lindo Wing, for my second, and that's what I'll choose for my third, if there is a third. You're in a very good NHS hopsital already, but you get the good postnatal care, the cleanliness, the decent food, etc. that you wouldn't get in the NHS portion of St. Mary's, which I hear is dreadful. (Just ask another mumsnetter, SofiaAmes.) If you want to go that option (which I highly recommend) the consultant I recommend is Mr. John Smith, who I think is sort of the senior guy there. But Karl Murphy and Mr. Teoh are also supposed to be fantastic. You need to book RIGHT AWAY. it may already be too late. Have your GP send a referral there NOW.
But if you want to pursue the Portland option, Mr. Gillard is probably the most famous consultant there. He's a good, well-trained, adept & gifted OB, but I found him to be arrogant, unpleasant,and lacking compassion. I have a friend who loves him, though, and she won't go to anyone else. He also delivered the Spice Girls's babies, if that impresses you. (It doesn't impress me, but it DOES impress my friend who likes him.)