Those who gave birth in UK, what was your experience regarding:
I am not pregnant yet but considering options for the future is something on the list. So far stories of UK have been so scary that I am continuously considering Pakistan as a suitable option as well. So need more and more experiences of people.
Re: UK Birth Stories
Excellent experiences both times Alhamdulillah .. Midwives were attentive , caring, taught me how to push without tearing.. First time was in a hospital but second time opted for a birthing centre , as I wanted to go as natural as possible. The service was amazing, the midwives were so helpful, caring , and I cannot say anything bad about it. It really must depend on the area too.
Re: UK Birth Stories
Midwives and health visitors both were extremely kind and helpful throughout the pregnancies. The hospital staff weren’t too sweet but still helpful. Still I found the birthing process in hospitals (anywhere in the world) sucks…you can’t move around during your contractions coz of the monitor. So with my 3rd one I decided to have homebirth and it was an absolutely amazing experience.
Personally speaking, I’m against epidural but it’s just that I believe the midwives should not discourage it solely to save NHS money. With my first one I had to go through a long labour and at the end I was so tired but they didn’t give me epidural, and when they were preparing to give me one it was too late so they had to cancel it and I had to push. And another thing…they didn’t explain fully to me how to push so I got a big tear (or may be coz of taking too much gas (entonox) I couldn’t hear what they were actually saying). Natural birth without epidural is an experience and a half and everyone once in their life should try it out.
You know I do like the fact that they push you for natural birth and breastfeeding etc but they should do it for the right reasons.
Here’s my home-birth story my husband posted a long time ago. Post#26
http://www.paklinks.com/gs/parenting/313568-birth-stories-2.html
Re: UK Birth Stories
^Wow it brought back some nice memories. 
Re: UK Birth Stories
I don’t think it’s to ‘save money’ but because they know they don’t have the resources available. The anesthetists can often be otherwise indisposed, they may not have the nursing staff to provide the attention needed after the epi is administered. I’m not saying it’s a good situation but as I said in the previous thread, if they know you very well may not get the epi as much as you want it, it’s better to be prepared for that from the start.
Re: UK Birth Stories
^some people think it’s coz some midwives just don’t like epidurals and they sort of force their opinion. Another article mentioned the “money” part.
BBC News - Should women be given epidurals?
I sort of agree with the opinion “women are too soft these days”. 
Re: UK Birth Stories
Yea, I’ve read the threads on mumsnet.
The reality is, there is not enough staff to provide epi’s for all births. So it comes down to luck.
Re: UK Birth Stories
^yeah probably…another option is to take private route if you have enough money saved up. You’ll receive vital care and your very own private room. Again, it comes down to money like anywhere else in the world. :hinna:
Re: UK Birth Stories
just checked…private place costs between £3000 to £6000. It doesn’t sound a lot. But of course my husband’s salary was less than £15,000 per anum back in 2004, so it was “a lot” for us.
I don’t know how private places operate but going private through NHS seems like a luxury with your own room and everything. If I could go back in time I would definitely choose this option.
Re: UK Birth Stories
so if you dont get your own room, where do you stay?
sorry dd I dont have UK experience but based on my experience in the US, I will not suggest giving birth in Pakistan!
Re: UK Birth Stories
You stay in a room with other 3 or 4 women and their newborns with just old curtains between your and their beds (that if you’re lucky) I had to go without a curtain with the second one as I had to stay in the labour room with other mom coz the rooms were short that day. No one can stay with you at night and have to follow the visiting times for guests.
It was a torture tbh…the woman’s baby right next to me just wouldn’t stop crying.
Re: UK Birth Stories
Oh and the nurses are kind when you’re out patient…witnessed it with my own eyes.
Re: UK Birth Stories
I went private through the NHS a few months ago and it was worth it for me. I know it’s the same staff and same hospital but those frowns sure do turn upside down when you’re on the private ward and the best part was having your own room. I’m not really a people person at the best of time and had to spend a night on the labour ward for my induction in a room with three others separated by flimsy curtains. To be fair, I can’t really fault the standard of care that I got from the NHS, apart from not being given the epidural that I kept asking for but in hindsight that too worked out for the best as I had a quick labour and was up and active almost immediately afterwards.
I had my baby at one of the best hospitals in NYC with excellent insurance. I still had to share a room. I didn’t mind it though. Private room can also probably depend on availability.
Re: UK Birth Stories
How much does it cost to go private through the NHS?
Re: UK Birth Stories
My experience was good too…had a natural birth and because of breastfeeding issues, I was kept in the hospital for 3 nights until I was confident enough to go try breastfeeding on my own. I had a long labour and my midwife wasnt keen on using epidural on me…she pushed me to try gas and air but it wasn’t doing anything for me. She was preparing for a birthing pool ( washing and filling it ) but I was ready by then to push so didn’t use it at all…
Re: UK Birth Stories
Depends on the hospital you deliver at and what kind of delivery you have. The hospital sent the bill directly to BUPA so I don’t know the exact figure but I imagine it was around £3,000…didn’t have any surgery or complications and spent two nights in hospital so I doubt it could’ve been any cheaper.
Re: UK Birth Stories
Interesting you said so because I was thinking about it.
I gave birth in a small town hospital and we had our own private room, in fact my mom and husband stayed there first two nights- they had an extra bed in room for husband but also brought in a recliner for my mom to sleep in the room.
Three weeks later, I had a surgery in one of the biggest and expensive hospitals in the state and I had to share the room for one day until they moved me out for privacy. But I know people who gave birth in that hospital and didnt have to share the room but I guess its a possibility even here. I wont like it though!
Re: UK Birth Stories
It’s not one of the best then, is it?
Re: UK Birth Stories
Just read right now.. so sad, it could have been avoided. 
ps. something like this happened at my 3 birth. baby was too stuck and had the umbilical cord 2 times around the neck, but I was being monitored, the baby’s heart beat was monitored and the head doctor plus midwife was there at the time of birth, they had to push on my stomach to help the baby out!! I dont know what would have happened with us in that hospital in UK, gives me the jitters.