First time pregnant..... NHS v/s private anxiety Post Reply

[rrscorpion]

Hi all

I am 5 weeks pregnant, and my GP recommended I choose a hospital... I have recently moved from the US so I was a bit lost... I did some research but an emergency cramping and bleeding session over the weekend meant I spent a night in Chelsea Westminster Hospital..
I liked the hospital but I am really confused on the choice between private and NHS... While I liked the care, it needed some patience- I couldn't help but wonder what it would mean for delivery?
On the other hand, I keep reading online that private can get very expensive for complications since no tests, scans are covered... How expensive can it get?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[LP73]

Hi I can understand your concern especially being in a different Country.

Firstly, there are private options that have everything such as scans covered. I went with Keith Duncan and from a certain point in my pregnancy - I think 20 weeks but would have to look it up everything was included in his costs, along with private delivery, an over night stay in the private wing at C&W (The Kensington Wing) which was wonderful. You can pay for extra nights which we did as the care along with the help from the midwives (one to one care) is exceptional especially when breastfeeding.

I would be more than happy to chat to you in person about this.

I had my first scan with Keith at six week at The Woman's Wellness clinic on The Fulham Road - which Keith runs and he is also head of the Kensington Wing.

We have an amazing health system but sadly the staff are stretched and you don't always get the care and attention that may be needed.

I also think that ladies should have far more scans on the NHS but understand this is not done due to costs. In my final two months I had a scan every week which was very reassuring. Also having Keith's personal mobile number is invaluable as a just in case.

Best of luck and drop me a message if I can talk you through anything.

[LP73]

PS I should have mentioned that if you decide to go down the private route then your GP won't refer you to anyone nor will they do much. Dr's do not like to mix private and NHS as it complicates matters.
The only thing we did was have some bloods tests done on the NHS as this is the only thing extra that needs to be paid for.

[Goldhawk]

It depends if you have expat insurance that covers maternity/birth

The Portland list their prices http://www.theportlandhospital.com/maternity/prices/

It used to be around £8K for a natural birth w midwife and around £15K for a c section - it may be more now

[mumplusone]

Hi,

Congratulations! I hope you're well.

The private/NHS choice is really personal. I'm on my second 'NHS' pregnancy, and in my experience it's been fantastic. Having said that, I'm not an anxious type, and don't need all the nice extras that you might get in private care! My only real criticism is that you don't get the same midwife from the antenatal care to the delivery room. This time round however I've had the same midwife for all my antenatal appointments, and last time I was so wrapped up in the labour I wasn't as bothered as I thought I'd be by having a 'different' midwife in the birthing room (who was fantastic!).

The level of care you get in the NHS is great, and to be honest, if things go 'really' wrong, you'd end up in the NHS specialist care unit anyway, as that's were the best facilities/consultants are. The private route is probably best if you want more time and reassurance, and/or you have a really demanding schedule and so always need appointment times that suit you.

Good luck with it all!

[LP73]

Just for the record at C&W in private care if something goes wrong the top consultants are already looking after you and you remain in their care.

[LP73]

And I should have mentioned that I avoided the Portland as they do not have special care for mums or babies should they need it. You would be transferred to a NHS hospital which isn't ideal and it could also mean that your baby could end up somewhere different to where you are due to beds.
At C&W you have everything there.

[rrscorpion]

Thanks LP73- does it get expensive if there is a complication or frequent tests?
I was looking at Kensington Wing website, and they had everything itemized.
Is there like a package that includes the scans to delivery?

I would love to have a chat to get a better idea...

[rrscorpion]

Thanks mumplusone
I had a few questions on the NHS route.
- How many ultrasounds and check-up appointments are done typically? Can you request for more if you wanted?
- Can you request a private room? I am a bit scared of being in a labor ward with other strangers around.
- Do you get to meet your obstetrician or only your midwife? I thought you have the same midwife to delivery.

Thanks a lot for answering my questions!

Hi,

Congratulations! I hope you're well.

The private/NHS choice is really personal. I'm on my second 'NHS' pregnancy, and in my experience it's been fantastic. Having said that, I'm not an anxious type, and don't need all the nice extras that you might get in private care! My only real criticism is that you don't get the same midwife from the antenatal care to the delivery room. This time round however I've had the same midwife for all my antenatal appointments, and last time I was so wrapped up in the labour I wasn't as bothered as I thought I'd be by having a 'different' midwife in the birthing room (who was fantastic!).

The level of care you get in the NHS is great, and to be honest, if things go 'really' wrong, you'd end up in the NHS specialist care unit anyway, as that's were the best facilities/consultants are. The private route is probably best if you want more time and reassurance, and/or you have a really demanding schedule and so always need appointment times that suit you.

Good luck with it all!

[rrscorpion]

Thanks Goldhawk!
My insurance doesn't seem to cover- which is a bit bizarre to me.

It depends if you have expat insurance that covers maternity/birth

The Portland list their prices http://www.theportlandhospital.com/maternity/prices/

It used to be around £8K for a natural birth w midwife and around £15K for a c section - it may be more now

[Mrsmac35]

Hi, I had my first baby at chelsea and westminster in march and they were absolutely fantastic. Didn't go to plan at all, but staff were amazing! Would definitely recommend and would go nhs again! Good luck x

[mumplusone]

Hi- Here are the answers (just according to my experience)!

- How many ultrasounds and check-up appointments are done typically? Can you request for more if you wanted?
You'll have a scan at 12 weeks and then an anomaly scan at 20 weeks. If they're concerned about anything they'll send you for more scans straight away. For example I was measuring a small later on last pregnancy, and I had an 'extra' scan the next day. If you're higher risk or a multiple birth it's totally different (lots more scans!) Appointment wise if you're a first time mum it's a booking in appt at 8 weeks/bloods, scan at 12, then appt at 16, scan at 20, appts at 24, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 and if you've not given birth 41 weeks.

- Can you request a private room? I am a bit scared of being in a labor ward with other strangers around.
I went for a midwife led unit for my birth at St Georges. (So the midwifes look after you. If you need 'medical' intervention you're moved downstairs and I don't know what the set up is there!) This meant a private room with a birthing pool, bed etc and en suite bathroom in the Carmen Suite- it was really fantastic. After the birth you transfer to a shared ward, (although I was able to stay in the private room for 10 hours post birth). You may be able to request a private room if you need after the birth to stay the night- but it depends on availability.

- Do you get to meet your obstetrician or only your midwife? I thought you have the same midwife to delivery.
I never saw an obstetrician as it was all really straight forward. I don't think you'd get the same midwife at the birth, which is a disadvantage! But if you do have one at the birth you don't get on with, it's fine to ask for a replacement. Someone helpfully told me that if you're not enjoying them helping you at the birth, they'd probably rather not be either, so you'd both be glad of the request to change! I'd usually not be keen on complaining, but in the midst of labour I wouldn't be at all worried about being demanding!!

My private insurance doesn't even cover any maternity related issues- so not even just needing physio for back pain!

Go with whatever option you think will make you feel most relaxed, the less worried you are the easier it'll all be!

[Mum2Monkey]

As far as I know - all NHS labour wards are now single room, ensuites. Certainly St George's is..... And the antenatal care is pretty amazing - at st george's, you can turn up anytime from 9 to 5 (from what I remember) if you have any concerns and they'll check baby's heartbeat and quite often scan you. You can turn up without being referred by GP.

In terms of post natal care - I think this is the biggest difference between NHS and private. Mine was pretty poor with my first child. I know others who had an equally poor experience. My second child went straight to neonatal, but I had my own single room on the postnatal ward as they thought it was unfair to put me in a ward with mum's with babies. She joined me after a week, but I kept the single room for two week.

If it hadn't been for complications, I'd have gone with C&W second time around and paid for a private room for after the birth.

At St George's, there are four to a postnatal ward and you don't get much sleep as you can imagine.

[Mum2Monkey]

As far as I know - all NHS labour wards are now single room, ensuites. Certainly St George's is..... And the antenatal care is pretty amazing - at st george's, you can turn up anytime from 9 to 5 (from what I remember) if you have any concerns and they'll check baby's heartbeat and quite often scan you. You can turn up without being referred by GP.

In terms of post natal care - I think this is the biggest difference between NHS and private. Mine was pretty poor with my first child. I know others who had an equally poor experience. My second child went straight to neonatal, but I had my own single room on the postnatal ward as they thought it was unfair to put me in a ward with mum's with babies. She joined me after a week, but I kept the single room for two week.

If it hadn't been for complications, I'd have gone with C&W second time around and paid for a private room for after the birth.

At St George's, there are four to a postnatal ward and you don't get much sleep as you can imagine.

[healthymummy]

I couldn't praise NHS enough!i had two babies born in ST THOMAS'S and with my third I will go there again!the care we had was faultless!and the views of the Parliament and Big Ben fro the room!i felt like in a hotel not hospital! Why are you anxious?we are in a civilised country,Imagine some poor countries where women give birth and they're still fine.
Enjoy your pregnancy,I hope it all goes well for you!