Elective Caesarean

[itswinetimealready]

Advice needed on two Q's;

1. First baby is due next year and I'm opting for an elective c-section. If I can not get this via the NHS I will go private. Does anyone know how this works? Do you still have your regular checks with the NHS midwife or should you have these at the chosen private hospital.

1. Any London based recommendations for hospitals? And if any of you have gone down this route, what were the actual costs (ie including consultant fees, etc as all the online pricelists seem to exclude these).

Thank you and happy Sunday!

You should be able to get your C-Section on the NHS. You might have to insist though.

You are entitled to the birth you want, look at the NICE guidelines. Maternal choice is reason enough, no need for medical grounds for a C-section.

I opted for one with my first baby (last year) and will be having another with this one (next year).

I had to meet with a consultant and demonstrate that I was aware of the risks involved in the surgery. I had researched the pros and cons of both vaginal and c-section delivery and confirmed that I was more comfortable with those of a section.

The consultant just needs to make you aware of potential risks (to you and baby) so you know what your opting for.

I was given the go ahead that day (I was around 25 weeks at the time of my appointment) but wasn't sent my date until around 37/38 weeks.

That's good to know! I will persist and hopefully they will allow me to have one.

So.. they said you could have a section, but then they only told you the actual date at 37/38 weeks? Seems rather last minute?!

I booked for a private c section as I wasn’t aware at the time that you can get one on the nhs

With private consultants you can choose to include antenatal care , or do delivery and postnatal care only with them. If you pick the latter than you continue with your midwife till delivery..

My delivery only consultants fee is 5.5k… hospital fees vary by hospital, but I’ve heard of 6k-10k for 2 nights stay. So all in, with anasethesiologist you are looking at 13-18k , delivery only..

I’ve had my elective approved but haven’t got the date yet. I will get it at my 32 week appointment.

When I looked at private costs it was in the region of £20k.

@itswinetimealready

That's good to know! I will persist and hopefully they will allow me to have one.

So.. they said you could have a section, but then they only told you the actual date at 37/38 weeks? Seems rather last minute?!

It's pretty standard in my trust (Scotland) not to receive your date until a couple of week before hand. It's to do with the consultants diary and how far in advance they are scheduled.

I also had my date changed last minute (baby had other ideas though and came 5 days early, I still had the section).