Has anyone had a private room in an NHS hospital after birth?

[cantthinkofaname2021]

Hello,

I have a c section provisionally booked for June but they might bring it forward slightly, I want to book a private room for until I can go home but can't book just yet until my date is confirmed
For anyone who has paid for a room, what was it like? Especially during covid, can you have people with you there longer than ina ward? After my last birth (vaginal) the experience on the ward after was horrible and I asked to leave early which luckily I could

I had a private room off the ward after my second c section (I didn't pay for it) but this was because I'd had my first emergency c section there a few years previously and had been out in a ward with other mums and babies whilst my own was fighting for his life in SCBU, it caused a big fuss so they were very circumspect with my second section.

Yes, I paid for one at the John Radcliffe, it made such a difference to my experience of post natal care. I could not cope with the noise and disruption of the ward and would do it again.

Yes, because my baby was brain-damaged and in scbu and they try to build a bit of distance between you and and the healthy babies on the ward.
I did actually end up with a private room after my c section but it was in Germany. I was on a ward in Canada to start with but then moved to a single room as I was in fairly bad shape and needed physio.
I sort of associate single rooms with a medical need, now. I haven’t paid for one.

Not read the full thread but i requested a room and all went ok but when i went in for my section they had an emergency section in the night & they got the room instead by request. The ward was ok this time around though.

Go with a plan but know it may change! Dont over think it easier said than done i know

I have, I didn't pay though.

I was put in a private room for a week after spending a week in HDU. I had sepsis from a nasty bacterial infection though so had to be quarantined away from other patients as I was contagious. OH was allowed to stay with me throughout and sleep in the reclining chair.

This was pre covid, 2019.

I'm going to be having an elective cs for current pregnancy and will be looking to book a private room this time if possible. The wards are bloody awful.

I have had two nicu babies in two different NHS London hospitals and both times I was taken to a ward (well the first time I initially went to a room because the wards were full, the next day I was moved to a ward full of babies). Luckily, I didn't mind and preferred it this way.

I would ask my hospital, if they let partners stay and the cost. Different hospitals have different rates and covid policies.

I was put in one from admission on the day of my ELCS, was having twins and I was 34 weeks so we knew they'd be going to SCBU. I stayed 5 nights and then was discharged leaving babies in scbu. Grateful to have been automatically given once since being on a ward with mums and their new babies wouldn't have been great whilst mine were in scbu.

I had a single room for 8 out of the 9 nights I was in hospital having my daughter. This was pure luck, and I didn’t pay.
I was on a ward for the night after my C section, and it was horrendous. No sleep whatever. If you can organise a private room in advance, definitely do it,

Pre Covid I had a c Section and was told the first 24 hours/night I had to be on a normal ward so they could keep a closer eye on me. After that I was put in a private room due to my medical condition, so free. However, do not get private treatment and actually harder to get hold of a nurse or HCA than in a bay of 4!

I asked for - and was given - a private room after my first birth. I'd been in hospital for a few weeks before they were born and simply couldn't face another ward so I begged. I was forgotten - my buzzer didn't work. I discharged myself from the labour ward 4 hours after my second.

When I was readmitted when DD1 was around a week old, I was put in a private postnatal room because I had an ‘infection of unknown origin’. They didn’t want to risk me passing anything on to others.

It was nice having my own space and en-suite as I was in for nearly a week and had drips in each hand so showering was really hard. DH and my mum took it in turns staying with me and sleeping in the chair.

Yes I had a private room after both c sections, one was emergency and the other was planned. On both occasions I couldn't book it in advance, it was a case of if one was available following the birth and the timing was right, then I would be allowed to use and pay for it. I was very glad to have it, it had an en suite bathroom and space for visitors to sit. Visiting times were the same as for those on the ward but it was obviously more peaceful and private. I was especially grateful for the en suite toilet and shower following the c section so I could access it privately and easily.

Pre covid. I had ds at just past midnight (emcs) and dh stayed with us on the delivery unit until 4am then came back at 7 ish so I don't really count that night. But the second night we paid for a private room which meant dh could stay too. Had a bit of leftie guilt about it but it was great- dh got to spend so much more time with ds than he would have otherwise and was able to help me during the night lifting him so I could feed. Plus we could have visitors without worrying about disrupting others. Would absolutely do again.

I'm also hoping for a private room as my exsil is due on the same day as me and is going to the same hospital. I know the odds of us actually being in hospital at the same time are slim it's still bothering me slightly.

I've had 2 kids. 1st time I had a private room. As it was snowing very bad and hospital thought dh would need to stay. He walked home as he didn't want to stay I hated it I was so lonely I was a new mum aged 20 literally just turned 20 I couldn't walk and had a catheter due to spinal couldn't move up bed due to catheter pulling.

2nd time I was on a ward and was so happy. Sil had a private room and she had her dh sleep for 3 nights. Personally I would hate that but each to own

I work on a postnatal ward, our private rooms are lovely. In our hospital you are paying for the room, and/or consultant care. The rules regarding visiting during Covid are exactly the same as for the patients in the shared bays. The rest of the care is still under the NHS, so the private patients fall within our normal ratios of midwives to patients, unfortunately this isn’t always explained properly to the patients.

I had one with DD, it was a paid option £25 per night. Wasn't an option with DS 5 years later, not sure why. Was nicer with DD as no other babies crying, just her! or noisy visitors, was pretty much left alone. Tiny hot room though.

Yep, I am very thankful for this. Can I also add I have been actively contesting this even after my own experience as I feel services are hugely letting women down. Also as a mental health practitioner am very much aware of the long term damage this will be causing women, partners and new babies.

I've had one twice - both times for medical reasons rather than paying. It was def quieter, but I got less attention from the nurses/midwives and it was a bit lonely after a while (was there for longer than I care to remember)

I had a private room after an NHS c section with twins years ago. It was great - private shower room, own loo, there were less visitor restrictions and less noise. Recommended.

Oh - and I was allowed someone with me which I wouldn't have been in the ward, but again, that was for medical reasons. I don't know if they'd have allowed it otherwise.

At my local hospital (Wirral) all women have a private room post-labour. I didn’t realise it was that uncommon! I was on a post-op ward after my planned c-section in 2018 and was moved straight to a private en-suite room after a few hours, in for 2 days as standard, then home. I feel incredibly lucky after reading this thread!

@bunglebee

I paid for a private room at Queen Charlotte's after birth. The private postnatal ward is completely separate from the NHS ward and has its own staff. It had a double bed, an ensuite bathroom and a midwife who took my baby overnight between feeds. Also both of us got to order food from a really nice menu. It was worth every fucking penny.

Second this. I paid £1300 for two nights and it was definitely worth it. And I'd do it again

Only because my daughter was seriously ill my other children I was in wards x