Maternity

Expectant mothers should sign up with an obstetrician as soon as possible and you can ask your GP for recommendations. You need to decide whether you are going to go through the NHS system or private. With NHS, you will receive care free throughout the pregnancy and delivery. A midwife will attend the birth unless there are complications. In the private system, an obstetrician and a midwife will be at the birth. The Portland Hospital provides specialist care for the new mother and the baby from conception right through to postnatal support.

For more information call FOCUS helpline: 020 7937 0050.

Private Versus NHS

(general information, not specific to pregnancy)

	NHS	PRIVATE
General Practioners
Time	Schedule up to a week in advance	Can be seen often within the same or next day
Visit Length	Strict 10 minute limit	Usually at least 20 minutes
Cost	FREE	£70-100
Support Staff	Physiotherapists, midwives, social workers and dieticians can be available	Need to be found independently, but your GP can make recommendations
Flexibility	Difficult to change doctors if unsatisfied with care	Just ask, though there may be restrictions within individual insurance plans
Hospitals
Care and Cost	Emergency care is excellent, but waiting lists for non-emergency operations and other care is worryingly long. Equipment and technology is better Cost: FREE	Emergency care is generally as good as NHS. Non-emergency care can be very good and immediate. Cost: £70-100 per visit. Having a baby approx. £7,000 & usually £700 per night stay. Check your hospital for rates.
After Care	Drops off rapidly once critical period is over	Greater level of comfort and care during hospital stay (i.e. private rooms are available, better meals)

Some people register with both a NHS and a private GP. They see their NHS GP for routine matters but visit their private GP when they need to see someone straight away. You can also register only with a NHS GP, but ask for a referral to a private specialist should you need an operation, become pregnant or require other specialist care. Even then, you may decide to stick with NHS care. Before you automatically decide to go private, talk to your friends, acquaintances, and GP about the quality of care and facilities at your local NHS hospital.

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The above information is taken from FOCUS “A Guide to Settling in the UK ”, November 2004, 9th Edition – vist http://www.focus-info.org/

Recommended resources:

The London Baby Directory: The A to Z of everything for pregnant women, babies & young children. http://www.babydirectory.co.uk/

Netmums: Netmums is a local network for mums by mums with a wealth of information and advice on being a mum with young children in your home town. http://www.netmums.com/

National Childbirth Trust: Can provide information and support in pregnancy, child birth and early childcare to enable every parent to make informed decisions. Run classes for parents and support network for caesareans, miscarriages, etc. There are branches throughout the country. http://www.nct-online.org/