Any Northern Ireland ladies gone private for antenatal care?

[AphroditeN]

Hi everyone, I am currently expecting my first baby and had my first GP visit today. I am in the Co.Down area and the GP said that she would refer me to Craigavon. My husband (full disclosure also a doctor) had wanted me to go to the Royal as he felt that would be the best hospital to be in in the event that there was an emergency with me or baby, so I requested the Royal. My GP referred me to the Royal, but said that, as a woman, she would prefer Craigavon as the wards are large and busy in the Royal. I have heard horror stories about the wards there and now am worried about my decision.

Furthermore, and the purpose of this post we were considering going private for antenatal care, but have no idea what the pros/ cons are in NI and I would love to hear from someone who has had experience of it.

 

[Toots4]

I considered going private myself (also co.down) but I don't really see the benefit as you still have to give birth in an nhs hospital. Why not go to the Ulster. I had excellent care there and it's not as busy as the Royal. My son was in NICU in the ulster for 2 weeks. As a result I will go there again xx

 

[AnxiousAnnie]

I'm going private in Belfast. Going for my second appointment next week.

Pros: will be scanned at every visit, will see the same midwife/consultant at every visit, will be seen a lot more regularly than on nhs.

Cons: clinic only runs one day a week during working day so bit of a nightmare in terms of missing work, consultant does not guarantee to deliver baby - you will be treated as nhs patient at royal, cost (almost 3000).

Hope this helps!

 

[lillio]

I considered it (I'm booked into the royal) but going private only makes a difference to your ante-natal visits, as far as I could see! It's pretty expensive too! you hear horror stories wherever you go, everyone's experience is different! xx

 

[Toots4]

I'm going private in Belfast. Going for my second appointment next week.

Pros: will be scanned at every visit, will see the same midwife/consultant at every visit, will be seen a lot more regularly than on nhs.

Cons: clinic only runs one day a week during working day so bit of a nightmare in terms of missing work, consultant does not guarantee to deliver baby - you will be treated as nhs patient at royal, cost (almost 3000).

Hope this helps!

I just wanted to say thank you for the info as it is something I'd seriously considered. But for me there is no point as due to being high risk I see a consultant every 4 weeks and she scans me at each appointment. I'm sure the peace of mind is good though xx

 

[AphroditeN]

Thank you so much ladies for your honest opinion on things.

I have indeed heard horror stories about just about everywhere, and they generally were one or two bad experiences here and there which is to be expected. However with the Royal I have heard and read far too many for it to be a one off and it certainly raised alarm bells when I the GP suggested it. I guess I was just too excited/ distracted at the appointment to really think deeply about it.

Annie, I hope you don't mind my asking and, of course, feel free not to answer, but where are you visiting in Belfast. I have considered 352 (I think that is the name of it), but as I am south Down I thinking that perhaps I should consider somewhere closer to home.

 

[Rosmuira]

To be honest if you can afford it I would totally go private . I am booked in coleraine and have heard mixed reports about the royal, especially since the outbreak of infection which caused several babies to die in the royal only a few months ago .

 

[MrsC2011]

hi ladies, i live in co.down also, i am 7wk 3days pregnant i also considered going private but my dr actually said there isnt alot of difference apart from extra scans and its alot of money! there is a private clinic were i live were you can get a private one off scan anytime for £50 so i went there for an early scan last week because i was worried and the epu at my local hospital wont scan unless there are alot of problems so i found the private scan really easy and reassuring and saw the hb which was amazing! so i have sort of said to myself that i will go nhs and if i feel i want an extra scan or two which seems to be the only real difference between nhs and private, then if i feel i need an extra scan i will just pay the £50 when i go which will work out alot cheaper and give extra peace of mind it might be something to look at in your area hope that helps and congrats to everyone!

 

[MrsC2011]

To be honest if you can afford it I would totally go private . I am booked in coleraine and have heard mixed reports about the royal, especially since the outbreak of infection which caused several babies to die in the royal only a few months ago .

Rosmuira so sorry to hear your news

 

[Rosmuira]

I wouldn't go for extra scans it will make you worry more just try and relax and have a happy pregnancy

 

[Mrs R]

Rosmuira, I'm so sorry about ur news. I had a scan at 8 weeks which showed no heartbeat. I went back a week later and there was heartbeat and a bouncing baby. Please make sure you have another scan before making any decisions as this can happen.

I'm also from south Down and had my babies in Daisy Hill.
As I had twins, I had an emergency admission at 31 weeks for premature labour and so was transferred onto Craigavon as I think they deal with births earlier than 34 weeks. I spent a night in a delivery suite in Craigavon and the care I had was fantastic. The nurses/doctors were excellent an I had no complaints about CAH. Thankfully the babies didn't arrive until a few weeks later. One of my twins spent 2 weeks in SCBU in DH and we were also very pleased with the care they gave our daughter. They definitely know their stuff!

 

[SleepyBaby]

Im booked in at the Ulster, Everything there is new and shiney and up to date, the midwife i seen at my 1st scan couldn't have been nicer, or made me feel more confident about going there, i went for the scan and ofc morning sickness hit me in the back of a taxi, 1st morning sickness ever! so i walked in covered in vomit wanting to sit in a corner and cry, they seen i wasn't ok and got me sorted asap! When i went i was unsure of dates and when they couldnt see baby that had a doctor come down within minutes to go a internal ultrasound, the doctor was a man, i though ' oh dear, a mans gonna do that with my oh sitting there.. eeeep' here, but he was lovely, he reassured me about what he was going to do ( the internal) told me to lay back and just got on with it, found the heartbeat and congratulated us! they then asked me to make another app for 12 week and 20 week scan at the desk so no waiting about to find out dates!

So far in this pregnancy and the last with my son the ulster have been really decent, only thing i didn't like was getting out of bed to get my own breakfast the next morning, ( how lazy does that make me sound lol )but it got me up and about lol

The Royal had the bug in the water pipes that was harmful or deadly to newborns, but since then all the pipes have been replaced and a deep clean has been done, then about 2 or 3 weeks ago it had the vomiting bug, I wouldnt trust its hygine, tho by now the place is bound to be sterilised.. but still

 

[MrsC2011]

I wouldn't go for extra scans it will make you worry more just try and relax and have a happy pregnancy

Thanks Rosmuira, i hope your doing ok

 

[AnxiousAnnie]

Thank you so much ladies for your honest opinion on things.

I have indeed heard horror stories about just about everywhere, and they generally were one or two bad experiences here and there which is to be expected. However with the Royal I have heard and read far too many for it to be a one off and it certainly raised alarm bells when I the GP suggested it. I guess I was just too excited/ distracted at the appointment to really think deeply about it.

Annie, I hope you don't mind my asking and, of course, feel free not to answer, but where are you visiting in Belfast. I have considered 352 (I think that is the name of it), but as I am south Down I thinking that perhaps I should consider somewhere closer to home.

Sorry! Missed your message! Yes am attending 352 on lisburn rd.

 

[MrsEmo]

hey girls, I am for CAH and have to say so far everything has been fantastic!!! even ringing up with queries would highly recommend!!!

 

[weerach]

I had great nhs care at the ulster with my last pregnancy,im booked in there at the minute but would really like to donate cord blood,which is only done at royal and mater hospitals.

 

[AphroditeN]

Since I started this thread I thought I should update. I went for 352 on the Lisburn Road in the end and I will be having the baby in the Royal. So far the care has been fantastic.

 

[MumToEva]

I'm a bit late to this thread to be any use to you Aphrodite, but just wanted to add a thumbs up for CAH. I had my daughter there, as well as attending for care around a miscarriage, and I could not speak highly enough of them. I was transferred to consultant led care due to poor growth, and received excellent care from doctors and midwives alike. Have chosen to attend there again for this baby also.