we looked into private care but wewre in the north and no where nr us do it

we had amazing care and my baby was delivered byut he head consultant we couldnt fault them at all so for us it wouldnt have been worth the money we also had private rooms and bathroom the whole time we was in holiday

be careful if you do opt priovate they do add extra prices on and if god forbid you was high risk or lo was you would most prob end up in nhs care in a hospiral that could offer you the best care can you not look around for a good nhs hospital? we have a choice of over 6 where i live as long as you drive you can go wheere you like here x

We looked at private care and have opted for a independent midwife as a happy medium. She does all my antenatal care at home and she will be with us through my labour, how ever it happens, I want to try for a home birth, but if I ended up in hospital she will stay with us throughout and act as my advocate. Also she will be helping us after the birth so there is a great continuity of care, which is something I am really keen on.
The reason for this decision is that I was with my best friend throughout her labour and didn't like how she was just abandoned in a room at the hospital, they left her for hours, no checks, no pain relief. Also just because of how the NHS works the midwife she'd seem for all her antenatal care doesn't work at the hospital so they are all strangers to you. I want to see someone I know and trust at that time.

I can totally see why you might want to do this... Don't get me wrong I'm a big supporter of the NHS, but the big urban hospitals can be pretty rough. When I lived in London, I went to the Royal Free in Hampstead and it was a rough experience.

My initial booking appointment wasn't until 13 weeks (which seems really late!). I had a miscarriage and the GP thought I could hemorrhage and then had to sit in A&E for 5 hours. I was given a paper mat and plastic chair to sit on, as they was no beds, (another lady in a similar situation was so uncomfortable she lay on the floor!! - No way was I going to do that!!). Then they lost my notes, and a couple of days later a receptionist phoned up to tell me off for missing my ultrasound. My DH had to explain the baby had died. FFS.

So we looked at private maternity care, it was £10k for the basics, i.e. with no complications. But a friend who works in Harley Street said to budget more like £14k.

We're not rich and it would have be nearly all our savings, but after the time in the Royal Free, we were considering it. Even my GP quietly suggested going private, as she seemed sorry to have to refer me to that hospital.

We've moved out of the city now (this was actually a big factor) and my new NHS hospital is a thousand times better. So if you can go to a good NHS hospital great, but if it's a choice between a really poor NHS hospital and private, I would go private.

BTW my friend went to St. Tommy's and it is fantastic. x x