Private Maternity - More likely to have C-Section

[Razberry]

Hi all,

Does anyone know whether private maternity will more likely result in c-c-section (not planned c-section)? Do private maternity units have more incentive for c-sections, perhaps because it will make them more money or because it's "quicker" for the consultant?

If you have any experience, I'd love to hear from you!

I'm planning to go private but I really want to be given enough time for a natural delivery if possible.

Thank all!

I looked into private but decided it was pointless (for me it would have been really so as I'd have given birth in the car given how far the hospital is from me)

From what I saw there was a lot of making it feel like you were 'getting your money's worth' scans that weren't needed, posh food that wasn't needed, not a lot of help to make suitable birth choices for you. I didn't feel like I'd be pushed to a planned section, but I didn't feel like I'd get as much support to have a natural birth or to breastfeed.

What sealed it for me was realising that all doctors I'd have seen trained in the NHS and did work in the NHS still too. If I'd needed to be consultant led I'd could have seen them for free at my local hospital.

The hospital charges for a section are more expensive, but the consultant’s charges are the same no matter how you deliver. So I’m not sure there is any extra incentive for the consultant to push you to have one and they should be the ones making the call, not the hospital. It’s quite hard to generalise though, especially as I feel like there’s a prevailing view that women who choose to go private are more likely to want/opt for a section. If I were you I’d meet with the consultant you’re considering and see what kind of vibe you get—if they seem like someone who’d push you into an unnecessary section you probably don’t want them to be your doctor anyway.

Thank you so much for your replies!