NHS vs Private after Positive test

[Steph254]

Hey ladies, I hope you are feeling good about yourselves today and that the weather isn’t being too hard on you with crazy hormones ( if you are in the UK) 😊... Somy question - I’m still a long way away from testing ( 5th Aug) and while it’s the first try at IVF and just waiting to see how it goes, I’m was wondering , once you have a positive rest and probably go for one more scan or so , is it possible to then transfer to a private hospital if you have been on the NHS or do you then have to complete the entire pregnancy through the NHS ? Just wondering ...

[Hidden]

Hi Steph you can do whatever you like! It’s quite a good idea to stay within the NHS so they know you and your case and you can always do what I did - weekly scans up until 14 weeks for reassurance privately (I lost 6 pregnancies so this was particularly important for me) and should your pregnancy go full term you can choose to go privately last minute. Nhs hospitals have the best specialist baby care units (especially essential if you’re preterm) Some private hospitals I’ve been looking at wont accept you if you go into preterm labour before 30-32 weeks so it’s good yo keep options open. That’s what i’m doing. Good luck x

[Steph254 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much for the response .. that makes a lot of sense and it’s good to know that. Yes I have heard that NHS has better baby care units... I’ll definitely keep my options open and I wish you the best in your journey .❤️

[Hidden in reply to Steph254]

Glad it’s helpful! The above advice was given to me by a Professor who works in the private system and the NHS and it makes perfect sense for the best possible care 😉. If you safely reach full term of course you can go privately but good to have options in case of early labour etc xxx

[Hidden]

You can transfer to private care at any time (and back to NHS too). Just bear in mind that if you don’t have insurance, you’ll have to pay private charges for any medications connected to your pregnancy that your private doctor may prescribe eg say you need blood thinner (of course hopefully not!).

I’m an NHS doctor so probably a bit biased but have used private care but the NHS obstetric care is pretty good- you might not see a consultant but if your condition means you need extra care, you will (it’s a need based system with limited funds). When I worked in the NHS obstetric ward, we often had private mothers transferred to us when things were an emergency. A lot of NHS hospitals allow you to book a private room after delivery if you want the privacy (and they have the availability).

[Steph254 in reply to Hidden]

I can’t thank you enough for your response! It’s good to know that there is that flexible. I do have insurance but I have heard that in some cases they do transfer patients to NHS. It’s good to hear about the private room because that’s really what has me thinking of private. I’m sure they have a sort of timeline of when you can book but thanks to you now I’ll know to ask about it ! Thanks again and all the best on your journey 😊❤️

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

I’ve been pretty impressed with my nhs care so far, I’m 20 weeks pregnant. I only went private to have the NIPT test.

[Steph254 in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Ah ... I’m sure it will be okay with mine too.. so far it’s been fine but I just found it a bit strange how we had open wards and with just the curtain could listen to what the doctor told the next patient and the same with us .. I would have preferred to have had more privacy and I’m sure if I asked maybe they would have offered it but I would rather sort of just have it then need to awkwardly ask if you understand what I mean 😊.. anyway , I’ll see how it all goes .. and thanks for responding .. all the best in your journey 😊❤️

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Steph254]

They had this in my first private ivf clinic too. So it’s not universally “private” with private treatment 😜

[Steph254 in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Hahaha good to know!!!! I’m not missing out on much then! 😊