Its good to start thinking about what options you have well ahead of time because then you can put a policy in place if thats the route you choose. Here at Neighbourhood Midwives, we have worked with a few different private health companies now including Bupa international, Allianz Global Assistance and Simply Health and I think it's becoming more common for the more comprehensive policies to cover private midwifery care without the need for 'complications' to trigger payment.

You may be able to pay for a 'top up' to an ordinary policy too. Midwifery care is much cheaper than private obstetric care and offers continuity of care, visits in your own home at a time to suit you, and, really important - given the lack of postnatal care available these days - ongoing, consistent care and support after the birth for six weeks. If you can't access private health insurance have a look at our website http://www.neighbourhoodmidwives.org.uk and the different packages on offer because we have a range of prices and always work very closely with the NHS so it's a very comprehensive service whichever one you choose - good luck!

Would second/third Neighbourhood midwives - I found it a great in-between an extremely pricey gynaecologist and the NHS. As was said there's various packages to choose from, but having had continuity of care for both my children (prenatal / birth / postnatal) I can safely say it's the best use of money I've made. Being able to give birth serenely is priceless.

On your original topic - I too, looked for private insurance to cover pregnancy and birth, and couldn't find any...

I have full Bupa cover through work which does not cover anything relating to pregnancy or birth except for emergency c section but the details are a bit of a grey area!

I have used Neighbourhood midwives (Annie and Tina) for my last 2 pregnancies and cannot recommend them highly enough! My daughter is 8 weeks old and Annie signed me off last week. Both children were born at Kingston but the service that NM provides means you get one-to-one care before, during and after the birth. They offer different packages so you can choose one that suits your budget and needs. I went for full care both times and although it stretched us financially we felt it was totally worth it and we will definitely be using them again (if i can get my other half to agree to a 3rd baby)!!

I believe that any of the Global policies will cover you - Bupa, Signa, AXA. However, there is a 10 month exclusion term. So, you need to sign up at least 10 months before maternity coverage will kick in. Given the low rates of premium for a healthy female, it is worth it - at the time I looked, it was about 1K for a year of premium.

bupa worldwide medical plus - you cannot simply take cover out for pregnancy, you will need to get underwritten and commence the policy sooner rather than later. there is an exclusion period to pre pregnancy. this is the only policy that offers comprehensive private cover pre, during and post. be prepared to pay a huge premium - probably IRO 500 a month depending upon age.

Sorry can't edit my post, just read your original post.

They didn't cover any pregnancy care, or anything other than the c-section. So I'm pretty sure they wouldn't cover any midwife care or a natural birth.

Really interested about AXA PPP as I am also with them and agree they'll cover a c-section for medical reasons which I think you may have.

However their idea of covering was fine for the post surgery care (3 nights) but they barely covered the consultants costs, I can't remember exactly but think it was roughly £600 they covered so it would have ended up paying out around £3k for the actual operation, so I really wouldn't recommend them.

I'm with axa ppp through work who are paying for my c-section and 3 nights in private room at st Thomas.

I'm having twins but also due to trauma in last birth they would have covered the section.

an alternative to private (or a midway point I guess) might be the neighbourhood midwives. As I understand it, they work in NHS hospitals but provide care directly to the mothers.

http://www.neighbourhoodmidwives.org.uk/?gclid=CjkKEQjwzv-cBRD_oY2PouKVvMIBEiQAKuGNC8RqN1jWKhJT4E5MpgElWs-ZEjUVlM26IMlDN60hNVjw_wcB

I haven't used them personally but met one of the founders a while back and she was absolutely lovely and it sounds like a great plan - especially post natally

Having had two babies with pretty awful labours (noone's fault just nature) and then experienced terrible post natal care on NHS, I'd like to think about private options if and when we decide to go ahead with baby number three (the jury is still out... I'm not pregnant and wouldn't try until next year anyway so plenty of time to agree/argue about it!). I have private health insurance with Cigna through work, but called them to ask if I could 'top up' or take out a separate policy to cover me for pregnancy and labour...but was told no they don't do that and could only help on a discretionary basis if there were complications. Do any of you have policies that cover you and with which companies? Or is it best to just start saving now instead? And I know giving birth privately won't stop it hurting...but it might cushion the blow a little!