Chelsea & Westminster vs St Thomas - c-section / private Post Reply

[99pctpractice]

just wondering if anyone had an experience of an elective c-section (without medical necessity) at Chelsea & Westminster or St. Thomas's?  i had an elective for my first (we have since moved to Clapham so my previous hospital isn't an option) and it would be good to know before we choose between C&W and St T if either of the hospitals will agree to this.  i had heard previously that St Thomas's did not allow elective c-sections without a medical justification, but i don't know if this is still the case (especially given recent reports on maternity care at other hospitals)? 

if it isn't possible on the nhs, then we'll do it privately so experience of private c-sections at both hospitals would also be much appreciated.    

Thanks v much! 

 

[Moonlightdawn]

Hi

I went private for my births at St Thomas’. Emergency and then elective c-sections.

Dr Eugene Oteng-Ntim was my obstetrician there. I can’t recommend him enough. Incredibly knowledgeable and so kind and caring. Feel very fortunate to have had him.

[Anne123]

Hi there,

I had an elective c-section at C&W under Nick Wales (he is private and also NHS) limited argument as given my age they were not inclined to advocate for natural. I have had friends argue that the supervised care under c-section (ie guaranteed consultants rather than random midwives) is better and also argue against the trauma of a natural childbirth to do c-sections on NHS.

I would suggest that if you can do c-section under NHS this is pretty similar to private (minus the extra scans - I went to harley street clinic for these (you get very few on the NHS) and the nicer consulting rooms (no fix here - I treated myself to a nice coffee at restaurant after consultation)).  You can ask to pay for private room in Kensington wing for the post birth recovery if available.  This significantly minimises the cost of the full package of private.  While you would not necessarily get the same consultant for each meeting when you schedule them you can ask to match the schedules of one of them for continuity of care (they may object so ask your consultant and then you can say they suggested this) - I did this to save the random chatter of a new consultant every meeting - you do end up with random midwives though (some were great; some were truly not good.) I also privately was tested for Strep B (quite serious complications for newborns) which the NHS did not want to do (to be fair less likely to transmit during c-section rather than natural but it made me feel better).

Also if you have to go the full NHS route, you can self discharge after 24 hours and recover at home rather than shared rooms in general ward after the c-section (to minimise exposure to infections)).

Good luck.

 

[Pigeon1]

I’ve had two private c-sections at Chelsea and Westminster under Mr Duffy and was very happy both times. The second time around we complained about something and got moved to the massive suite they have on the Kensington Wing, which was really very nice. The regular Kensington wing rooms are also perfectly nice enough. Food is nice and lots of teas and coffees offered for you as well as guests. C&W also have a very good NICU which is re-assuring (although obvs that’s back on NHS). Having had my first two as natural births on the NHS, it’s basically two completely different experiences and if you can afford it, I don’t know why you wouldn’t!

[Penguin80]

 I’m having an elective c-section next week at the Chelsea and Westminster, my pregnancy is with a donor embryo so they were very supportive of my choice.​​​​​​
 

[JonesieSW]

I had an elective Section for mental health reasons at St. Thomas' and had a brilliant experience. As it wasn't private, I didn't know the consultant, but my anaesthetist was Lindsay Arrandale and she was incredible. If you go for St T's, I'd definitely recommend requesting her if that's possible.
I hope it goes really well for you.

[virginiafal]

I have had two c-sections in Chelsea & Westminster and had good experiences with both. First one wasn't planned but the second one I was given the choice as I had a C-section first time. I think in your case as you had a previous C-section it would be the same.
They invite you to a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After C-section) workshop where someone tries to convince you that it is possible to have a normal birth. I went to the workshop and still told them I preferred a C-section and that was it. Just signed a form.
The theatre staff was great both times, the more unpleasant part was just the hospital stay afterwards in a ward full of newborns, etc. The second time around since it was an elective and I had an uncomplicated pregnancy and previous C-section I was eligible for "fast tracking". This meant that all the paperwork / administrative stuff was completed in advance so I could leave the hospital after 24h. I was definitely grateful to do the recovery at home.
Good luck!

[yestose22]

Hi - I’ve had an elective c section at St Thomas’s under Kumar Kunde (private). Excellent care. Very positive experience.

[99pctpractice]

thank you for the responses - super helpful.  i think we'll go with Chelsea & Westminster so that we know we have the option of an elective c-section without having to go private if that's the route we go down (though either way i'll definitely try to stay on the kensington wing the night afterwards!!). 

[Mummyof3SW11]

Hi, I have had 3 c sections at the Kensington Wing at Chelsea and Westminster- amazing. If you do end up going down the private route there, and are looking for an obstetrician recommendation, I highly recommend Charlotte Deans- she is AMAZING. I wish I’d had her for my first two! Good luck.