Private elective c section

[Freshcucumber]

Hello Ladies,

Did any of you book their Elective C Section privately at one of the following hospitals and can recommend one please?

I have been told that I have to book mine (already!) and have absolutely no clue and nobody to ask to:

- Portland Hospital

- Fitzrovia Wing at UCLH

- Queens Charlotte (Clayton Wing)

- Queen’s Mary Lindo Wing

Thank you so very much! 🙏🏻

[MrsOrangejuice]

I went with elective on the NHS but I did look into private. Putting aside the cost, I'm sure it will be fine but I would really do your research on private vs NHS for birth, many don't tend to stock all the meds or bloods, or other things that *could* be needed if things went wrong and then it warrants an ambulance transfer to an NHS hospital as an emergency. Maybe see if there is anyone at an NHS hospital or your GP who could help you decide and give you a realistic assessment of the differences, risks, and whether it's appropriate for your situation, also what you should be asking a private clinic, then check with each of the private ones. I don't want to scare you, and hopefully it would be fine, and I didn't consider any of the above hospitals specifically so maybe this doesn't apply to any of them, just as I looked into it and came across some things that tipped me towards going with the NHS for any birth, I wanted to mention this so you could check.

[Freshcucumber in reply to MrsOrangejuice]

Thank you that’s a very valid point I had no idea about… oh dear! 😱

[MrsOrangejuice in reply to Freshcucumber]

I was quite shocked and it hadn't ever crossed my mind either as I just assumed a hospital is a hospital, and if anything private would be safer. But for birth it just seemed to be that there was a lot more to it. Hopefully you can ask the right questions and get comfortable with wherever you choose.

[Purpledoggy in reply to Freshcucumber]

I was going to comment the same. I wouldn’t have this type of procedure done at a private hospital unless I was really desperate or you paid me! The chance of needing a transfusion is relatively high (I was 50ml away on my first CS, which was elective ) and private hospitals really aren’t equipped to deal with complications. They also won’t have a NICU and may not be too well equipped to stabilise a newborn with complex needs requiring urgent transfer to the nearest NICU (at the very least check what arrangements they have in place for this if you do go ahead privately).

If you don’t mins me asking, why do you want to go private? If it’s a case of being ‘denied’ a CS on the nhs then they can’t actually do that unless for a genuine medical reason. Your birth, your choice. If you just like the idea of a fancy hospital (no judgement) then be absolutely clear on the risks to you and your baby giving birth there. TBH I feel the same way about midwife units that have basically no doctors, meaning urgent transfer to another hospital for complications.

[Albs171]

I went elective at uclh on nhs. I looked at Fitzrovia suite, but I majorly got the jist it was a lot of money for the same service bar the room. And 10k for a room felt a lot!

I saw all the same surgeons. Service was excellent. And if anything happens in the private wing that doesn’t go to plan - you get treated in the main wards anyway.

Granted was then in a busy ward for recovery. That may be something you could ask them about? Go nhs for the birth, and then can you pay for just the room for after?

But I was out in 24 hours. So only really on ward for about 14 hours and it was totally fine.

I know a couple people who have had a nice time at the Portland. But again, I think if anything happens you go into the main hospital.

Good luck xx

[Olive_77]

I had a planned c-section at Portland without any issues. I’m quite pro private hospitals (the reputable ones) and would avoid NHS at all costs 🙈 Everyone I know who gave birth under NHS had an issue in some shape or form, not to mention that for over 65% of NHS maternity units’ safety rating falls under “requires improvement” with none being “excellent”. This said most stories I know happened in my local maternity unit which I tried to avoid at all costs 🙈 I’m sure there are good ones too. It was mentioned here that private hospitals may refer patients to NHS in case of emergency, so it’s worth looking into known and reputable ones like Portland and Queen’s Mary Lindo Wing (I’m not familiar with the other two). Portland did do blood tests for me prior to the procedure and this was to ensure they have the right blood available in case transfusion is required. They do have NICU as well. The costs are very high though 😕

[Purpledoggy in reply to Olive_77]

I stand corrected re the NICU, it seems some of the big London ones do have a NICU. It’s highly unusual outside of London but I appreciate the OP seems to be looking at London ones.

[Freshcucumber in reply to Purpledoggy]

Thank you, yes I live in London only considering the area where we live xx

[PRAYINGFORTHISTOWORK]

Just a thought as something we looked into, you could pay for a private midwife to be with you at the NHS hospital, you can also request a private room if one is available ? X

[Freshcucumber in reply to PRAYINGFORTHISTOWORK]

I had no idea this was a possibility. Thank you for the idea! xx