I'm also 5 months pregnant with my first and all the comments are really helpful. I get so indecisive about this as I hear such differing opinions from the few friends I've got who went private...

I'm partly swinging towards a home midwife but as I'm 39 I'm worried that they'll see me as high risk... anyone had a home birth whose approaching 40 or older?

I have seen Neighbourhood midwives mentioned a few times and i just want to mention there is also IMUK (independent midwives UK), you can use the website to search for your nearest midwife and meet them to decide whether you would like them involved in your pregnancy and birth. They are fully insured and support you with you birth at home or in hospital.
All your antenatal appts would be in your own home, you do not need to attend NHS appts. If you choose to stay at home they come with all equipment, if you choose to go to hospital they come with you and act as an advocate and stieve to achieve your birth choices in hospital, they then support you at home for 4-6 weeks postnatally to ensure your transition to parenthood is simple.
All this at about 20% of the cost of the private birth you quoted.
Have a look you won't be disappointed.

Hello - I think no one has mentioned the VERY WONDERFUL BARKANTINE CENTRE - living in Canary Wharf you are very close to the centre. The Barkantine Centre is probably one of the most wonderfully supportive places to give birth in the UK - and it happens to be NHS. A small team of midwives: actual care - midwives listening to you, respecting your decisions and the right environment for a positive birth. Best. Rosie Goode

I've had 2 babies at St Thomas'. both deliveries were not straight forward and both babies required neonatal care afterwards. I thought all the midwives and obstetricians during labour were amazing and all staff in the neonatal wards were brilliant. The hospital is fully equipped to deal with any emergency and I couldn't fault the care.
First baby was in care for a week and st Thomas's kept me in the whole time, being on a ward wasn't great but it meant I could go and visit my baby at any time of the day or night. The post natal wards are very busy and most of the staff are doing their best but I did encounter one or 2 quite rude and insensitive midwives.
Second baby I asked midwife if there was a room in the Landsell suite available after I had given birth and there was. I had to stay in for 3 nights as baby wasn't full term and I didn't want to do a ward again for more than one night. It's amazing especially if you've previously done a week on the nhs postnatal ward, but it is pricey.

My friend went fully private at St Thomas', yes she had her obstetrician for all appointments and birth but when both her and her baby had issues afterwards they were transferred to NHS wards as private wards are not equipped to deal with anything that is not straightforward.

Hope that helps give you some comfort with your decision.

Hi Garfield,

The scanning machines that they have in The Feotal Medicine Centre (if that's where you had it) and also the ones in Chelsea Birth Clinic are much ,ore superior to those generally used so that is possibly why you had a different result.
If you're worried (I had Harmony test too) then drop me a private message and I would be happy to chat to you over the phone about it all.
If you go down the private route you will have a much greater number of scans which is always reassuring, especially when having a first.

l

Hi ladies, I had my 11 weeks combined test and scan at NHS yesterday and also went for a harmony test and vitality scan the same morning. When I was at the private clinic, the sonographer was able to do the scan over my tummy and I could see my baby clearly, and very active. 2 hours later when I went to the NHS for the Nuchal scan, the sonographer there wasn't able to see my baby over the tummy scan, despite me having a full bladder. I had to empty my bladder and do a transvirginal scan. I think they used the same machine at both place, I have no idea why at one place it was absolutely clear whereas at another place totally not possible? Any similar experience?

I did two blood tests at nhs so far. They don't seem to explain anything, just that I'm low risk for Downs...1:450, and I was then dismissed. When I got home, I saw the beta free HCG and ppap-a figures, not sure what are the significant of these two. I really wish they could at least tell me more given this is my first baby. Any thoughts?

Thank you.

If you go private at The Kensington Wing your Consultant will not be visiting NHS patients at the same time.
You pay for their time and you really do have it when you need it.
There are a couple of Dr's there who work for the NHS too but most work private only.
Not sure if it is the same at other hospitals.

Hi,

Congratulations!

Just to let you know that I had 2 babies in the home from home centre at St Thomas' under the NHS and had great experiences both times. First time was a water birth. I could have stayed in the home from home centre (with partner staying overnight). However they needed the room so I was moved to the "other side" with the 6 beds. We asked if one of the Westminter suite was available but none were. In the end, I didn't mind staying on the other ward. I didn't find it as bad as previous posters have felt. But maybe I would have felt different if I had to stay longer (I stayed 2 nights). I think the only down side is when I had my parents visiting you're stuck between the curtains.

For the 2nd birth, I was in the home from home centre again. I gave birth in the morning and was asked if I wanted to be signed out in the evening. I actually said I'd prefer to stay overnight. I enjoyed a nice night (with an amazing view!) to rest. I was reassured knowing that I had midwifes nearby if required. My husband could have stayed but to be fair, he wanted to go home and I was also pleased to be with my newborn baby and rest.

So just wanted to show that NHS at Thomas' can be good. Let me know if you have any questions.
Best of luck and fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Ladies, thank you so much for the advice and experience shared.

I have decided to go down the route of giving birth at St Thomas, hopefully a water birth at the Home to Home centre, and have a private midwife with me throughout. Will probably splash out for a stay at the Westminster suite as after the anticipated pain and exhaustion of giving birth, I think a little luxury of my own room is justifiable, even though my husband thinks for the price we could stay in 5 stars hotel for a couple of days!

Will have my combined test at NHS tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

I would suggest speaking to neighbourhood midwives they have vast experience and an extremely caring ethos

Hi & Congratulations,

I had my son last July at St.Thomas'. Unfortunately I had a very bad experience right from the start of my pregnancy through to the birth, I won't go into detail, because it wouldn't be a good thing to do, but I didn't get to meet my midwife (S) beforehand, (I went through 3 because of change of shifts), they knew nothing about me and hadn't even bothered to read my birth plan. I also have to agree with the post natal care, I was appalled at how I was treated, especially after what I'd been through, I ended up begging my husband to collect me, and I had to sign a self-release form.

I would strongly advise you to hire a private midwife, right from the start. My friend did this and they built up a rapport over the 8/9 months and she was there throughout the delivery, she had the labour in an NHS Hospital, but her private midwife was with her throughout, she was apparently very firm with the staff about what my friend wanted and completely took over when she was giving birth, this made her experience so much better and she was looked after very well. There may be no need to pay out for a Private birth if you go down this route, if you end up needing a C-section it could get extremely costly.

Good luck

I'm 39 weeks pregnant with my second. My first was planned to be a home birth but I ended up having her at St Thomas's, which was fine but agree with previous posts re terrible post-natal experience.

Again I'm planning a home birth and have been so impressed with the quality of care I've received, in particular this time round, with the Valley Midwives, based from St Thomas's. All my appointments have been at home with the same midwife, so I've developed a relationship with someone I trust. They've also really taken care that I meet the other midwives too, so that I'll know the midwives who deliver the baby. At a home birth you have one-to-one midwife care during labour then a second midwife arrives for the birth (much more attention than in hospital unless there is some issue) and they have the same drugs, rescucitation equipment as in hospital except for epidural.

If you look at some stats regarding risk, you are actually safer planning a home birth as firstly you are under the care of very experienced midwives, dedicated only to you, so if there is a problem they are likely to pick up on it earlier and transfer you to hospital where it can be dealt with appropriately, rather than ending up in a stressful, last-minute emergency situation. There is also a lower risk of intervention (c-section, episiotomy, ventouse, forceps) which means that the outcomes for you and your baby are far more positive in terms of recovery, establishing breast-feeding, infection etc. Also, you can change your mind at any stage so it means that all options are open to you.

I recommend doing your own research and trusting your instincts. Our bodies were designed to give birth and can even do so in a coma!

Hi Ladies, thank you very much for sharing all the useful information.

Have managed to speak to a friend who gave birth at St Thomas last September and was told the birth was good but post natal care was bad, more due to being in a 6 person ward with constant noise and activities.

I think I will stick to birth at St Thomas but will consider staying at the Westminster suite, hopefully only for a night or two.

One rather naive question, who stitch you up after you have a VB? Is it the midwife?

On a different note, she also recommended having a private midwife throughout, rather than going to the NHS midwife appointment, like some of you have recommend. She ended up seeing different midwife each time for a few minute and didn't get the right level of care. She spent half the time bring the new midwife she met up to speed with her background/progress etc.

Thank you.

I think it would be sad to form an opinion of the NHS because one person you know had a bad experience. It is very likely that if you go private, your doctor will be attending to NHS patients also. Private will get you a prettier room etc but not necessarily better healthcare.
Whatever you choose, I hope all goes well for you and baby.

I think it depends on what you are looking for in a birth experience. I am a midwife working in the private sector. Neighbourhood midwives enables not only the women and their partners the continuity they so desire, it also enables us the midwives the continuity we desire. Personally I have never worked in the NHS as I have always craved being able to offer continuity of Carer as well as Care. Now it depends on what is important to you when you think about the day your baby comes to meet you. Is having that constant support with you an important thing to you or are you someone who doesn't mind seeing several different people and not really getting to know them very well. I'm actually NOT being pedantic I'm just saying that there are women out there who say "I don't care who's with me when I have my baby I just want it out!" Neighbourhood midwives offers you peace of mind that you will be nurtured and cared for by a passionate and dedicated midwife who will be with you every step of the way no matter which route your journey may go. It's true that nhs midwives are stretched to the limit half the time and that they have to give the best care they can in very strained and tough environment. It's not that they don't care or that they are not passionate, dedicated midwives. It's just that they are fighting a very big system that doesn't afford them the luxury of seeing women in their own homes, having cups of tea and catching up with their lives, being with that woman throughout the whole pregnancy, labour &birth and then seeing it all through with their post natal care for 6weeks.
If you would like to chat through this further please feel free to contact me on the Neighbourhood midwives website. My name is Sharon. Good luck xx