Supplementing NHS care with private midwife
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Congratulations! I’m also a first time mum and 28 weeks right now, booked with Chelsea & Westminster - we initially went with just the NHS also thinking that we will either switch to private or supplement with a private midwife if we don’t like it, but it’s been great so far, absolutely not looking to add anything to the NHS service at least in our area. Everyone we’ve met has been very nice and very responsive, and they’ve even offered additional tests whenever anything was flagging just ever so slightly out of range.
Thank you ladies - this has been helpful!
Hello! I am 37 weeks, we did NHS with supplemental private scans. We also hired a private doula for our birth prep which has been exact what we wanted. She wrote up our birth plan, walked us through options, and will be with us through birth. She works mostly with CW mums and has made us feel super confident. Would highly recommend if you can swing it (2.5-5k)
I chose to check out of the nhs system for my pregnancy and did all my antenatal appointments with a private midwife who did all the standard nhs tests/checks at my home plus support on what to expect, support on breastfeeding and so much more. I had access to them 24/7 answering any questions, and they were on call for me from 37 weeks. I had a home birth, unmedicated and my recovery was amazing. Let me know if you have any questions or want recommendations! X
Congratulations, I hope you’re feeling ok. I was also considering similar (I am now 20w), however once plugged into the NHS and midwives system I have found it to be really good and I’ve had the support that I’ve needed. I supplemented with private scans (had an extra 3 including NIPT) and I am considering going private for childbirth but still looking at options, as, like you say, it can vary and add up quickly. I’m also at C&W. I hope this helps!