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When pregnant, one of the significant decisions to make is whether to choose NHS or private maternity care. Here’s a breakdown of the differences between the two options.
Both NHS and private hospitals prioritize the safety of mothers and babies. Staff are well-trained in obstetric care, and protocols are in place for additional support, including access to special care baby units (SCBU).
While most pregnancies and births proceed smoothly, specialized NHS hospitals handle complex cases. For instance, University College Hospital has specialized facilities like a fetal medicine unit, neonatal intensive care, and adult intensive care, ensuring comprehensive care for complex situations.
Some specialized units, such as University College Hospital, offer both NHS and private services. Private patients in these hospitals stay in suites like the Fitzrovia Suite, which provides immediate access to NHS specialist care if needed.
As an NHS patient, antenatal care is managed by the hospital’s midwifery team if you are having a vaginal delivery. Consultants are typically involved only in complex cases. In the delivery room, midwives manage the process, with a team of doctors and a consultant obstetrician available if complications arise. In a planned NHS c-section, the on-duty doctor and anesthetist will oversee the birth.
Private care allows patients to choose their consultant obstetrician, who will oversee all stages of care, including antenatal, delivery, and postnatal. Private antenatal appointments can also be scheduled at mutually convenient times, unlike NHS appointments, which are assigned by the hospital.
There are several choices regarding delivery method, pain relief, and other preferences, varying by hospital. For example, not all hospitals provide water birth options, so researching in advance is advisable.
Regardless of the setting, NHS or private, patients can choose their preferred delivery method (c-section or vaginal). This choice will be discussed to ensure it’s the safest plan for both mother and baby. Both NHS and private settings also offer a range of pain relief options based on clinical needs, with private hospitals generally providing on-call consultant anesthetists for epidural requests.
After birth, NHS patients usually transition from the delivery room to a shared postnatal ward, with private rooms reserved for medical needs. Policies on partner overnight stays vary. Private patients, however, stay in single en suite rooms with amenities like a mini fridge, safe, and personal TV, often with a pull-out bed for partners to stay overnight.
Private care also offers more flexible meal options and a wider menu selection. In both NHS and private settings, midwives provide support for feeding, dressing, and bathing the newborn. Private wards generally have a lower patient-to-staff ratio, enabling more personalized care, and the consultant remains available to oversee care throughout the stay.
For further information on University College Hospital’s private maternity services, which combine the best of both NHS and private care, please contact:
- Phone: 020 3051 5583
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: uclhprivatehealthcare.co.uk
