Should I be scared of the NHS??

[Kju&2]

Hi everyone. I am 1 1/2 months pregnant :BouncyHappy: but as early as now - worried about giving birth here in the UK. Giving birth in the Philippines will not pose a problem for my child's citizenship as my boyfriend and I are both british citizens so I am not worried about that. I know it isn't fair to compare a public hospital (NHS) to a private hospital (in the Philippines) but I am really worried about giving birth here in the UK specially after reading about a filipina nurse (Cabrera) who died here in England after giving birth as she was wrongly administered an epidural drug via her drip. The midwife who was responsible for her death although guilty was never convicted. I have heard of many other NHS horror stories and hear brits complaining about the NHS all the time so I hope you can understand why I am not confident with the NHS. Also, my filipina sister in law gave birth here in the UK at an NHS Hospital 4 years ago. She was sent home twice even after her water had already broke just because the midwives aren't satisfied by how much she's dilated at the time. That's unheard of in the Philippines. I don't believe I know of any pregnant woman who have been turned away from the hospital in the Philippines after their water had already broke no matter how busy the hospital was, regardless of the hospital being private or not. They also insisted for my sister in law to have a normal delivery and only agreed to deliver my niece via CS after my sister in law had already been in labour for over 24 hours.:NoNo: I don't know if this is because she wasn't yet a british citizen at the time hence the NHS is trying to save money. I've only been to the A&E here in England once and had to wait for 5 hours to be seen so I can't say I've never had a problem with them either. :bigcry:

The good thing about giving birth here is that I don't have to pay anything. Giving birth in the Philippines would mean a plane ticket for me and my boyfriend and enough cash to last us for a few months and obviously money for the private hospital - which we don't really have. So I guess I really haven't got a choice but to give birth here but I just need some advice from people in order to maybe reassure me that giving birth at a NHS hospital is not going to be so bad. Thank you!! :40__s:

[nigel]

The NHS is GRRRRRREAT!!! Forget all those scary stories! Your going to have a perfect birth! The NHS staff take their work seriously, absolutely they do! You've absolutley nothing to worry about! Us Brits can be real pessimistic moaners! Take no notice, that stuff is just a load of drivvel!:Cuckoo: I'm PROUD of Britains free healthcare system! It is true that waiting for treatment that you may need with the NHS can take a long time, but they are a great bunch of people I think!:xxgrinning--00xx3:

[aromulus]

The NHS is GRRRRRREAT!!! Forget all those scary stories! Your going to have a perfect birth! The NHS staff take their work seriously, absolutely they do! You've absolutley nothing to worry about! Us Brits can be real pessimistic moaners! Take no notice, that stuff is just a load of drivvel!:Cuckoo: I'm PROUD of Britains free healthcare system! It is true that waiting for treatment that you may need with the NHS can take a long time, but they are a great bunch of people I think!:xxgrinning--00xx3:

When did you give birth, then...?:Erm:

[adam&chryss]

Do you trust the way our media portrays The Philippines?
All poor and dirty and arranged marriages and such?
Its not all like that is it.
Well the NHS is the same.
I`ve never had a bad experience and neither has anyone in my family.
They all work hard just so they can be portrayed as useless which is terrible.
When was was in Phil with Chryss we went to 2 hospitals for scans and I cant say I found them clean at all, in fact I was releived that she was here to give birth.
The only trouble we had was arranging the scans here as she was 29 wks pregnant when she arrived and didnt have much information from Phil.
The people that work for the NHS at the frontline deserve lots of credit and not the critiscm that come their way.
Saving money by not giving a CS to someone not a british citizen? Who made that up?
Just relax, take it easy and all will be well :BouncyHappy:

[nigel]

When did you give birth, then...?:Erm:Errrm..:Erm:...Last week!:)

[joebloggs]

it's has nothing to do with citizenship what happened to your sister in law :NoNo:

what happened to the filipina nurse was 1 in a million, just like the other stories that are shown on tv or in the press. millions are treated every year successfully by the NHS and as sad as it is, mistakes will be made.

my misses has given birth to 2 kids in the phils and 1 in the UK. and she says the treatment she got in the UK was better than her treatment in the phils. and my misses has worked in the phils as a doc and works for the NHS. but in the phils you get what you pay for..

why did they send your sister in law away twice ? they must have given her reasons ? my misses says they would only perform a CS if the baby was in distress

i wouldn't or my misses says she wouldn't worry about giving birth in a NHS hospital. not that she wants any more kids :D

[Ann07]

I never had any bad experience with NHS Maternity Unit. In fact i really admire the staffs dedication and effort. They made me feel so comfortable when i had my first child and even more with my second child. In fact they are soo nice to me and looking after me and the baby when my husband was not with me at nights.

Just relax trust your midwife and you will be fine:) Goodluck

[Kju&2]

Saving money by not giving a CS to someone not a british citizen? Who made that up?
Just relax, take it easy and all will be well :BouncyHappy:

Hi Adam,

Thanks for the advice. I guess as I've never been hospitalized here before (but I have when I was in the Philippines) - I was more scared of the unknown and unfamiliar rather than being scared because of things I've heard. As for your above comment - again it was just my passing comment / thought. I obviously haven't got any proof to prove that they've done that to my sis in law to save money. I just know for a fact that in private hospitals all around the world - you tend to pay more for a cs compared to normal delivery because of the tools, doctor and operating room, etc - hence I assumed that that's why they insisted on my sister in law delivering by normal even if the baby won't come out and the fact that my sis in law had been asking them for ages for her to undergo a c-section which in the end they did anyway. I think I am more dismayed at the thought of being sent home after my water broke like what happened to my sister in law, specially giving birth for the first time when I don't know what to expect. The last thing I'd wanna do when that happens is to go home and come back to the hospital. I just hope that doesn't happen to me :rolleyes:

[nigel]

Hey Ekks! You got a name for your baby yet? Are you going to bring it up in Britain? :)

[bornatbirth]

you do know we have private hospital's here too, you are aware there isn't any real difference but the price?

[Kju&2]

why did they send your sister in law away twice ? they must have given her reasons ? my misses says they would only perform a CS if the baby was in distress

i wouldn't or my misses says she wouldn't worry about giving birth in a NHS hospital. not that she wants any more kids :D

I guess in my mind I'd have better treatment in the Philippines because my bestfriend is a doctor and she can recommend me to one of her ob/gyn friends. My mum had a surgery in the Philippines and my bestfriend and the doctor who treated her looked after her like a princess without my mum having to pay like a princess :D

My sister in law was sent home twice because apparently her cervix isn't dilated enough although her water had already broke at home. So my brother had to take her home twice. My sis in law even worked for the same hospital at the time as a nurse. After 24 hours of labour she still isn't dilated enough and my niece was getting stressed inside and the possibility of niece getting infections as she's no longer inside the fluid was getting greater as the time goes on so they decided to give her a CS in the end. Now over 24 hours of labour? Not a good thing!! It makes me wanna wish that my boyfriend is a seahorse so he can give birth to our child himself! :D

[Kju&2]

you do know we have private hospital's here too, you are aware there isn't any real difference but the price?

Is there really no difference? I've always thought that they tend to look after you better when you go private.. hmm.. guess I was sooo wrong :NoNo:

[Kju&2]

When did you give birth, then...?:Erm:

Thank you for the heads up :BouncyHappy::D

[Kju&2]

The NHS is GRRRRRREAT!!! Forget all those scary stories! Your going to have a perfect birth! The NHS staff take their work seriously, absolutely they do! You've absolutley nothing to worry about! Us Brits can be real pessimistic moaners! Take no notice, that stuff is just a load of drivvel!:Cuckoo: I'm PROUD of Britains free healthcare system! It is true that waiting for treatment that you may need with the NHS can take a long time, but they are a great bunch of people I think!:xxgrinning--00xx3:

Sorry I meant thank YOU for the heads up. I can't delete posts yet I think so please ignore my above post to aromulus. Although I must say Aromulus, you made me laugh at your comment. LOL:D

[Kju&2]

I never had any bad experience with NHS Maternity Unit. In fact i really admire the staffs dedication and effort. They made me feel so comfortable when i had my first child and even more with my second child. In fact they are soo nice to me and looking after me and the baby when my husband was not with me at nights.

Just relax trust your midwife and you will be fine:) Goodluck

Thanks Ann! That meant a lot to me :D coming from a woman who has given birth here. Thanks!

[bornatbirth]

do you really think the basic care will be any different?

the chance's of something going wrong....well i guess there more chance of winning the lottery, btw have you won yet? :D

[maria_and_matt]

i would not have chosen to give birth back home, the treatment i got here is excellent. everybody in the maternity ward was so supportive, i have seen how they deal with women giving birth back in the philippines when my sister in law gave birth to her baby, they tend to give you lots of unnecessary things like the dextrose and oxygen:icon_lol: with the NHS it is staightforward you push the baby comes out, you then go have a shower, a sleep and you are off home when things are ok, i would not have it any other way.

[Kju&2]

Hey Ekks! You got a name for your baby yet? Are you going to bring it up in Britain? :)

Hi Nigel. My boyfriend and I have already got some ideas but we won't know the sex of the baby until a few more months so it's still open to debate. My boyfriend and I have agreed a few years ago that if the baby was a girl - I would name her but if it was a boy - then he'd name him but I think I've changed my mind about that set-up now. LOL :D We'll have to have an equal contribution now methinks.

For the meantime we will raise our child here. But as soon as my boyfriend finishes his degree at Uni we will be looking into moving to either New Zealand or Australia so we're closer to the Philippines and the weather a bit more tolerable. :BouncyHappy:

[Kju&2]

the chance's of something going wrong....well i guess there more chance of winning the lottery, btw have you won yet? :D

LOL.. if i have then I wouldn't be having this conversation with you guys and would probably be in the Philippines right now having a pamper session while waiting for the baby to come out at the most prestigous private hospital I can afford in the Philippines. But one can dream eh? Anyway, there's still a few months to win that ever elusive lottery!:icon_lol:

[Kju&2]

i would not have chosen to give birth back home, the treatment i got here is excellent. everybody in the maternity ward was so supportive, i have seen how they deal with women giving birth back in the philippines when my sister in law gave birth to her baby, they tend to give you lots of unnecessary things like the dextrose and oxygen:icon_lol: with the NHS it is staightforward you push the baby comes out, you then go have a shower, a sleep and you are off home when things are ok, i would not have it any other way.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I really appreciate it :)

[Arthur Little]

Please DON'T be afraid of giving birth in an NHS maternity unit, Ekks. :NoNo: I can assure you that the introduction of the British National Health Service over 60 years ago is, without a shadow of doubt, the BEST singular achievement by any of our Governments here ... either before, or since ... and it is [rightly so] envied worldwide! :rolleyes:

It's worth noting too, that ... among the members who greeted you on your introductory thread, is a retired medical specialist. And another's wife is a doctor as well; also, I shouldn't be surprised if there are possibly one-time nurses and - (maybe) even - midwives that make up our number. So you're in "safe hands", so to speak!! :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Arthur Little]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I really appreciate it :)

It's our pleasure ... :Erm: ... that's a very nice photo you've just uploaded of you and your husband, if I may say so.

[Kju&2]

It's our pleasure ... :Erm: ... that's a very nice photo you've just uploaded of you and your husband, if I may say so.

That's awfully nice of you. Thank you for the advice, the heads up and the compliment :) My boyfriend is gorgeous indeed and here's hoping our child takes after him :BouncyHappy:

[triple5]

As you can see Ekks, most here are very pro NHS, and although I am too proud of our health service, from experience I'm not sure if the UK is the best place to have a baby compared to other countries. I was present here at the birth of both my kids here in the UK, and was alarmed on the first occasion that there was only one midwife running back and forth between 2 ladies, and both times I found their attitudes quite uncaring. They seemed a bit stressed:Erm: I've also known of 2 foreign nationals who gave birth here (1 spanish, 1 thai) and they were both appalled by a number of things, and said that what they had experienced would never have happened in their home countries.

Having said all that though, our media here do love to bash the NHS. I'm sure you'll be fine wherever you decide. A friend of mine recently delivered his wife's baby on the bathroom floor, and they're all doing fine :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Doc Alan]

I have already welcomed you to the Forum and from my advice on "SAD" (seasonal affective disorder) you might have guessed I knew something about health !:)
I've only just caught up with this thread and you've had a number of comments. All I can add is - you're young, maganda :), and look healthy, so your chances of a successful pregnancy are excellent , obviously with common sense and a loving boyfriend to look after you!:)
It's been good to read the favourable comments about the NHS ! :)I'm careful on here to give "evidence based facts", rather than my own opinions, when it comes to health matters ...:Erm: so for your pregnancy, do use the NHS, it's safe in the vast majority of cases :) Don't waste money on private care, which is not necessarily any better :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Kju&2]

As you can see Ekks, most here are very pro NHS, and although I am too proud of our health service, from experience I'm not sure if the UK is the best place to have a baby compared to other countries. I was present here at the birth of both my kids here in the UK, and was alarmed on the first occasion that there was only one midwife running back and forth between 2 ladies, and both times I found their attitudes quite uncaring. They seemed a bit stressed:Erm: I've also known of 2 foreign nationals who gave birth here (1 spanish, 1 thai) and they were both appalled by a number of things, and said that what they had experienced would never have happened in their home countries.

Having said all that though, our media here do love to bash the NHS. I'm sure you'll be fine wherever you decide. A friend of mine recently delivered his wife's baby on the bathroom floor, and they're all doing fine :xxgrinning--00xx3:

Thank you. That was what I saw too when my sister in law gave birth to my niece here (that the midwife seem uncaring) but I didn't mention it on the thread anymore just in case I'm just reading too much into things and she just wasn't that friendly or expressive. Especially as some of the women who have commented here and shared their own views seem to have good birthing experiences. I guess I will just have to see on my first antenatal appointment if I will like the midwife or not. It also is a bit strange to me (the notion of midwives) as I'm sure in the Philippines it's always the ob/gyn's who look after the pregnant woman and deliver the babies. Ah well, I will just have to get used to the differences. Maybe I'm just being silly and being such a worry wart 'cos I'm pregnant. :Rasp:

[Kju&2]

I have already welcomed you to the Forum and from my advice on "SAD" (seasonal affective disorder) you might have guessed I knew something about health !:)
I've only just caught up with this thread and you've had a number of comments. All I can add is - you're young, maganda :), and look healthy, so your chances of a successful pregnancy are excellent , obviously with common sense and a loving boyfriend to look after you!:)
It's been good to read the favourable comments about the NHS ! :)I'm careful on here to give "evidence based facts", rather than my own opinions, when it comes to health matters ...:Erm: so for your pregnancy, do use the NHS, it's safe in the vast majority of cases :) Don't waste money on private care, which is not necessarily any better :xxgrinning--00xx3:

Hi jackson.alan - thank you for the above comment. Any idea where I can get a cheap but effective light box for sad? LOL :D (only joking)

I'm really thankful to everyone who's shared their views about the NHS. I seriously thought I wasn't going to get a lot of good feedback so it's nice to put my worries to bed. Now if only people can give effective advice on how not to feel sick and nauseous during your first trimester - I am complete :Cuckoo::cwm12:

[Doc Alan]

Any idea where I can get a cheap but effective light box for sad? LOL :D (only joking)

Now if only people can give effective advice on how not to feel sick and nauseous during your first trimester - I am complete :Cuckoo::cwm12:

Good news on Valentine's Day: only 2 weeks to Spring when S.A.D. should go !:)
As for sickness + nausea, I'm sure you know it's normal, doesn't put baby at any risk, and may even result in a healthier pregnancy than those who don't have it!:) Just rest as much as you can and take care with your diet :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[IainBusby]

LOL.. if i have then I wouldn't be having this conversation with you guys and would probably be in the Philippines right now having a pamper session while waiting for the baby to come out at the most prestigous private hospital I can afford in the Philippines. But one can dream eh? Anyway, there's still a few months to win that ever elusive lottery!:icon_lol:


I don't think that even the most prestigous private hospital in the Philippines would be as good as an NHS hospital. With regard to your sister-in-laws experience, long labour and only giving performing a cesarean section as a last resort, I believe it is standard practice these days to always allow nature to take it's course unless the woman has had to have a cesarean with a previous birth. As to why they sent her home twice I dont know, but I'm sure they must have had good reasons.
Iain.

[aromulus]

I don't think that even the most prestigous private hospital in the Philippines would be as good as an NHS hospital.
Iain.

I wouldn't bet on that...

[keithAngel]

Interestingly from my point of view no-one here has commented that pregnancy and child-birth are NOT an illness

Whilst its great to have check ups to monitor your progress creating a positive birth experience is our own responcability !!

Ive 6 kids plus a stepdaughter and have had a full range of experience of various types of birth and delivered two of them myself one at home with a great doctors active support and another because the also great mid-wife was a little tardy much to our delight.

My 3rd Daughter who was delivered by C section (she was sideways) had her first at home in a birthing pool she rented with a mid-wife and a Doula to support her and has since gone on to train and offer this service to other women.

Of course there are situations were hospital medical interventions are indicated but it doesnt need to be the norm and in my view in countries were this is routinly practiced its more about $$$ than safety women are induced to routinely not interfere with practioners weekends .

Food for thought birth can and should be a beautiful experience :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[darren-b]

I wouldn't bet on that...

I wouldn't either..

But if you are talking about the quality of services that can be available through the NHS then that is different story.

Given the choice between the most prestigous hospital in the Philippines and Great Ormond Street Hospital I know where I would prefer my child if they were sick to be treated.

[Doc Alan]

Interestingly from my point of view no-one here has commented that pregnancy and child-birth are NOT an illness



No-one thinks they are :omg:
I cannot comment on EVERY single NHS maternity unit but the vast majority of pregnant women are delivered safely under NHS care :) It's clearly also not ethical to comment on individual cases:omg:
Caesarean sections certainly seem to need explaining :xxgrinning--00xx3:
They account for 1/5 UK deliveries (probably a higher proportion in the Philippines but accurate figures are not available), and the numbers are increasing, being already more than World Health Organization recommends.
They are performed when there is potential or urgent risk to the mother or baby.
They may be PLANNED (when medical needs become apparent during pregnancy), EMERGENCY (during labour), or ELECTIVE (personal choice) , and would NEVER be refused to save money :doh The main reasons for Caesarean section are : danger to the unborn baby, failure of labour to progress, breech (bottom or feet first presentation) , or mother has had previous Caesarean section.

[RickyR]

Doctors in the UK, the training and the facilities are some of the best in the world. Unfortunately some NHS hospitals have bad reputations, are poorly equipped and have a mix of not so good staff. If you do some searching on google, you can see the scores for hospitals, reviews and see what standards they have against the national benchmark.
Your other option is a private hospital in the UK, and I can assure you that most of the Private hospitals would very much exceed what you'll get from the best hospitals in the Philippines (St Lukes, Manila Doctors Hospital etc). Your treatment would be much less then the cost of going to the Philippines.

As for Great Ormand Street, that is one of the best (if not THE best) childrens hospital in the world with the best facilities money can buy, and the best specialists in the associated fields.

[johncar54]

you do know we have private hospital's here too, you are aware there isn't any real difference but the price?

In 1997 I was diagnosed with cancer. I live in Spain and at that time had private medical insurance. I decided I would prefer to have the op in UK, language no problem, family nearby etc.

When I saw the consultant privately he asked me whether I wanted it done NHS or private. Either way it would be done immediately. He said he would do the op in either case but in a private hosp I would have a room to myself etc. He also said, that if there were any complications doing it in the private hospital, it would be no problem because he could rush me to NHS hospital across the road.

[RickyR]

For private surgery, many of the hospitals are linked to NHS hospitals, and use the same doctors and the same theatres. However the difference tends to be the procedures, equipment and drugs. Some of the more advanced treatments and drugs are only available private.

[Arthur Little]

Some of the more advanced treatments and drugs are only available private.

Not necessarily!! :NoNo: Two years ago, I had occasion to undergo *carotid arterial surgery ... in order to prevent a full-blown stroke, as a result of suffering a couple of Transient Ishaemic Attacks [better known as TIAs - or mini-strokes]. *This operation is well-known to be an extremely delicate procedure ... itself giving rise to all sorts of risks, including the danger of CAUSING the very damage it is designed to lessen and/or myocardial infarction (heart attack) - even death ... :cwm24: and is normally only performed by a "handful" of experienced surgeons in selected Scottish NHS hospitals.

My treatment was carried out at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee. And, following 24 hours of close-monitoring in Intensive Care - during which I was wired-up to numerous tubes and other devices - I was back on my feet the next day, and discharged the day after. Three months later, I attended the Outpatient Clinic at Perth Royal Infirmary, was pronounced fully-fit by the Vascular Specialist who'd operated on me and told I didn't require any further check-ups, so long as I continued taking a nightly concoction of cholesterol-reducing medications in conjunction with aspirin each morning.

I suppose it could be argued that I was one of the 'lucky ones' (and it cannot be denied that I HAD been!). But I very much doubt if the standard of care I received would've been any better had I been treated privately! :NoNo: So hats off to our National Health Service!!!

[Doc Alan]

However the difference tends to be the procedures, equipment and drugs. Some of the more advanced treatments and drugs are only available private.
That's news to me ! I thought surgical operations were all standardized, based on best evidence published in reputable journals and peer-reviewed, then subject to audit of results, whether they are in NHS or private hospitals:) Likewise I thought most advanced treatments and drugs are only available in NHS hospitals; if drugs are only available privately they are outrageously expensive, relatively new (with side effects as yet unknown), and of limited help in treatment:omg:
Not quite sure how this helps reassure a healthy 30 year old in early pregnancy about where she should have her antenatal care and deliver her baby:Erm:
Unless she wins the lottery, she is best to be reassured, as I have already done that the NHS is safe for the vast majority of healthy mums-to-be :xxgrinning--00xx3:[/SIZE]

[Arthur Little]

In certain respects :iagree:, though, Ricky; there ARE some cancer-treating drugs, for instance, that CAN only be obtained by private means.

[somebody]

you do know we have private hospital's here too, you are aware there isn't any real difference but the price?

From what I understand when the Private Hospitals have an emgency during a routine procedure etc you often end up back in a NHS hospital..

Many NHS hospitals have Private wards from what I have seen so you could pay the extra for a slightly smarter looking ward but of course you would still be using the NHS.

We love to moan about things in the UK but if the goverment of the day said ok we will get rid of see how large the protests would be..

Remeber when the yanks implied the NHS was not a good Idea nearly every form of media in the UK turned into a NHS fan club and quite rightly to..

[keithAngel]

What can be said though is that in 2005 there were

Phillipines 4,600 maternal deaths

UK 51

http://www.childinfo.org/maternal_mortality_countrydata.php

And infant death

Phillipnes 20.56 per 1000

UK 4.8

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_infant_mortality_rate

[adam&chryss]

i would not have chosen to give birth back home, the treatment i got here is excellent. everybody in the maternity ward was so supportive, i have seen how they deal with women giving birth back in the philippines when my sister in law gave birth to her baby, they tend to give you lots of unnecessary things like the dextrose and oxygen:icon_lol: with the NHS it is staightforward you push the baby comes out, you then go have a shower, a sleep and you are off home when things are ok, i would not have it any other way.

I think Maria summed it up brilliantly!
Also as mentioned before pregnancy isnt an illness and is treated as such.
I`m not an expert but i`m led to beleive that the 1st pregnancy is generally the longest and its usual for it to last more than 24hrs.
I know they dont like to perform a CS unless its really necessary as apose to the " too posh to push " scenario!
You`ll be fine so don`t worry ok?

[Arthur Little]

Not quite sure how this helps reassure a healthy 30 year old in early pregnancy about where she should have her antenatal care and deliver her baby:Erm:

Quite! :iagree: ... there DOES seem to be a tendency for some threads to stray :icon_offtopic: ... and I can be every bit as "guilty" as the next person in digressing from the main theme at times. :doh

[filipina_owl]

Hi ekks and hello everyone. I find this thread very helpful especially that i am also expecting and due this month. I also have some worries because this is my first baby and will be giving birth here in uk. I just hope and pray that everything will be okay with me and my baby and that the NHS will give me the best healthcare i need. The staff at NHS were very nice, friendly and accommodating so that's a good sign. Well, let's hope for the best ekks and God is in control. :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Arthur Little]

So, ladies ... you can BOTH rest assured, everything will go "swimmingly" ... BELIEVE me! :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Ann07]

I think Maria summed it up brilliantly!
Also as mentioned before pregnancy isnt an illness and is treated as such.
I`m not an expert but i`m led to beleive that the 1st pregnancy is generally the longest and its usual for it to last more than 24hrs.
I know they dont like to perform a CS unless its really necessary as apose to the " too posh to push " scenario!
You`ll be fine so don`t worry ok?

Very true coz it happened to me. I was in labour with our first child more than 24 hrs:doh:doh and just few hrs with our second child :Erm::Erm:

[joebloggs]

[I]
When I saw the consultant privately he asked me whether I wanted it done NHS or private. Either way it would be done immediately. He said he would do the op in either case but in a private hosp I would have a room to myself etc. He also said, that if there were any complications doing it in the private hospital, it would be no problem because he could rush me to NHS hospital across the road.

it would be :icon_lol: if he wasn't joking :yikes:

I never liked the idea of paying anything privately, they'll do things that don't need doing just for the :REGamblMoney01HL1: like dentist, pay someone a set wage, so they'll do what needs doing :rolleyes:

regarding the phils, when my stepsons g/f gave birth, my misses said they better not perform a CS, for a 19yr old i think the % rate who need a CS is well below 20%, and guess what :Erm: the hospital said she did needed a CS :REGamblMoney01HL1:

and the prices triples :doh,
and what kind of treatment you get in the phils in many cases depends on your ability to pay for it :NoNo:

[Kju&2]

Hi ekks and hello everyone. I find this thread very helpful especially that i am also expecting and due this month. I also have some worries because this is my first baby and will be giving birth here in uk. I just hope and pray that everything will be okay with me and my baby and that the NHS will give me the best healthcare i need. The staff at NHS were very nice, friendly and accommodating so that's a good sign. Well, let's hope for the best ekks and God is in control. :xxgrinning--00xx3:

Hi filipina owl:Hellooo: first of all I'm glad that you found this thread useful, being a newbie I was worried that the concerns I had had already been posted before and I thank everyone who has shared their views and experiences and made me feel reassured about giving birth at a NHS hospital.

Secondly congratulations in advance :BouncyHappy: I really hope that you have a very easy and almost painless birthing experience. Please do let me know how it all went for you. I bet you are excited and can't wait to see and hold your new bundle of joy. I've always been told that whatever you go thru during pregnancy and the birth becomes all worth it when you see your baby finally. Are you going to have a boy or girl?

To everybody - thanks again for all your input, I'm so glad I decided to sign up and ask you guys the question that's been niggling on my mind since I found out I was expecting. Now my boyfriend doesn't have to put up with me telling him all the time that I'm scared to give birth here and I want us to go to the Philippines for it :D Cheers everyone!!

[RickyR]

That's news to me ! I thought surgical operations were all standardized, based on best evidence published in reputable journals and peer-reviewed, then subject to audit of results, whether they are in NHS or private hospitals:) Likewise I thought most advanced treatments and drugs are only available in NHS hospitals; if drugs are only available privately they are outrageously expensive, relatively new (with side effects as yet unknown), and of limited help in treatment:omg:
Not quite sure how this helps reassure a healthy 30 year old in early pregnancy about where she should have her antenatal care and deliver her baby:Erm:
Unless she wins the lottery, she is best to be reassured, as I have already done that the NHS is safe for the vast majority of healthy mums-to-be :xxgrinning--00xx3:[/SIZE]

In an ideal world that would be true, you'd be shocked to see the variation in standards even between different NHS Trusts and Hospitals. Take for instance that you have 60% better chance of survival of a heart attack in Greater London then elsewhere in the UK, partly because of the equipment and specialists that is only available in three hospitals in the UK (all based in London. Anyway, thread drift, my apologies.

Anyway, what it comes down to is that the OP should not fear having a baby on the NHS, you'll recieve excellent care before, during and after the pregnancy, from your local clinics, midwives and the hospital (Marvie, my other half is now 10 weeks pregnant and is receiving packs, DVD's, books, screening, tests, scans, classes etc). You however will have a choice in which hospital for the baby to born in, and you can research that choice and make the decision based on the quality of hospital, accessibility and other factors.
The only thing you might miss by having the baby here, is the support of your family who will be in the Philippines unless you can get visas for them to come here.

[Doc Alan]

Anyway, thread drift, my apologies.



Apologies accepted. 35 years as a doctor here in the UK and the Far East allows me to give informed advice, but you and anyone else are of course free to give your own opinions. I have said enough on this topic already.

[RickyR]

Alan, sorry to keep this thread going on a tangent again, I respect you're experience as a doctor and the NHS, but are you honestly telling me you believe that the NHS offers an unrivaled and standard service in the UK? And that what you get at one NHS hospital in a major city is the same chance as you'll get in another?

[Doc Alan]

I did not say that :omg
I've answered the question posed in the thread:xxgrinning--00xx3:

[johncar54]

Originally Posted by johncar54 View Post
[I]
When I saw the consultant privately he asked me whether I wanted it done NHS or private. Either way it would be done immediately. He said he would do the op in either case but in a private hosp I would have a room to myself etc. He also said, that if there were any complications doing it in the private hospital, it would be no problem because he could rush me to NHS hospital across the road.


it would be :icon_lol: if he wasn't joking :yikes:

I never liked the idea of paying anything privately, they'll do things that don't need doing just for the :REGamblMoney01HL1: like dentist, pay someone a set wage, so they'll do what needs doing :rolleyes:



Joebloggs. Whilst I would not disagree that those in private medicine usually not missing a chance to earn, in my case (ten years on, I am now a healthy 70 yr old) the operation saved my life. It was believed by my Spanish specialist to have been growing for about 12 years, which coincided with the UK specialist's view.

And, re his assurance that if anything went wrong I would be rushed to the NHS, that has been confirmed in another post.

[Florge]

congrats Ekks!

my midwife is very helpful.. and to think I am not pregnant yet.. hehehe... just told my GP that we are planning to get pregnant by end of the year and viola! fixed me up with appointments to dietician, midwife, and family planning nurse... now, i've been monitored very closely by my GP and nurses... hahahaha....

relax and enjoy your pregnancy...

[Kju&2]

congrats Ekks!

my midwife is very helpful.. and to think I am not pregnant yet.. hehehe... just told my GP that we are planning to get pregnant by end of the year and viola! fixed me up with appointments to dietician, midwife, and family planning nurse... now, i've been monitored very closely by my GP and nurses... hahahaha....

relax and enjoy your pregnancy...

Thanks Florge :D Don't forget to take your folic acid!! Only started taking it last week when I found out so I hope it still works for me :cwm12:

[filipina_owl]

it would be :icon_lol: if he wasn't joking :yikes:

I never liked the idea of paying anything privately, they'll do things that don't need doing just for the :REGamblMoney01HL1: like dentist, pay someone a set wage, so they'll do what needs doing :rolleyes:

regarding the phils, when my stepsons g/f gave birth, my misses said they better not perform a CS, for a 19yr old i think the % rate who need a CS is well below 20%, and guess what :Erm: the hospital said she did needed a CS :REGamblMoney01HL1:

and the prices triples :doh,
and what kind of treatment you get in the phils in many cases depends on your ability to pay for it :NoNo:

excuse me joebloggs but not all dentists do things that dont need to be done. The fact that i am not like that. I work as a dentist in the philippines for 6 years, i've work in the government and in private clinic after office hours. I have had foreign patients but i never take advantage of them, i do treatments which is needed and necessary and thats that. Maybe some dentist do but not me. :NoNo:

[keithAngel]

excuse me joebloggs but not all dentists do things that dont need to be done. The fact that i am not like that. I work as a dentist in the philippines for 6 years, i've work in the government and in private clinic after office hours. I have had foreign patients but i never take advantage of them, i do treatments which is needed and necessary and thats that. Maybe some dentist do but not me. :NoNo:

I think the NHS dentists may be doing the opposite doing the minimum for the highest band charge and then doing a bit more the next time for the same ,rather than one joined up treatment:cwm23:

[filipina_owl]

Hi filipina owl:Hellooo: first of all I'm glad that you found this thread useful, being a newbie I was worried that the concerns I had had already been posted before and I thank everyone who has shared their views and experiences and made me feel reassured about giving birth at a NHS hospital.

Secondly congratulations in advance :BouncyHappy: I really hope that you have a very easy and almost painless birthing experience. Please do let me know how it all went for you. I bet you are excited and can't wait to see and hold your new bundle of joy. I've always been told that whatever you go thru during pregnancy and the birth becomes all worth it when you see your baby finally. Are you going to have a boy or girl?

To everybody - thanks again for all your input, I'm so glad I decided to sign up and ask you guys the question that's been niggling on my mind since I found out I was expecting. Now my boyfriend doesn't have to put up with me telling him all the time that I'm scared to give birth here and I want us to go to the Philippines for it :D Cheers everyone!!

thanks ekks.. :) but im not sure though if im going to have an easy birthing experience because my midwife told me last week that my baby might weigh 8pounds and a half. :doh:omg::NoNo: Unless im going to have a cs procedure which is the last thing on my mind... :NoNo:

But in the long run, i dont mind really as long as my baby is safe and healthy, that's all that matters to me. Yes ekks, my husband and i are really looking forward to our baby boy... :):BouncyHappy: We're really excited about it... Good luck to us and i hope you will get through with the morning sickness and that you will have a safe delivery and a healthy baby... :):BouncyHappy::Hellooo:

[filipina_owl]

I think the NHS dentists may be doing the opposite doing the minimum for the highest band charge and then doing a bit more the next time for the same ,rather than one joined up treatment:cwm23:

yes perhaps some private and government dentists do, but not all. i thought joebloggs was referring to all dentists in general. :rolleyes:

[Kju&2]

thanks ekks.. :) but im not sure though if im going to have an easy birthing experience because my midwife told me last week that my baby might weigh 8pounds and a half. :doh:omg::NoNo: Unless im going to have a cs procedure which is the last thing on my mind... :NoNo:

But in the long run, i dont mind really as long as my baby is safe and healthy, that's all that matters to me. Yes ekks, my husband and i are really looking forward to our baby boy... :):BouncyHappy: We're really excited about it... Good luck to us and i hope you will get through with the morning sickness and that you will have a safe delivery and a healthy baby... :):BouncyHappy::Hellooo:

wow!! that's one healthy baby boy!!! hey.. would you consider introducing your boy to showbizness in the philippines when he grows up? as we all know that half pinoys and half whites are such good combination! :) thank you for all your well wishes. i really am struggling with the sickness and nausea at the moment as it's not just in the mornings but all thru out the day so can't wait for my first trimester to be over and done with. good luck again and can't wait to see the photos you may possibly post :D

[joebloggs]

I think the NHS dentists may be doing the opposite doing the minimum for the highest band charge and then doing a bit more the next time for the same ,rather than one joined up treatment:cwm23:

yes thats true, when i was younger, when you went for a checkup if you needed a filling they did it there and then, now they drag the treatment out over weeks. are appointments only 15mins now and they use to be 30mins?

[joebloggs]

excuse me joebloggs but not all dentists do things that dont need to be done. The fact that i am not like that. I work as a dentist in the philippines for 6 years, i've work in the government and in private clinic after office hours. I have had foreign patients but i never take advantage of them, i do treatments which is needed and necessary and thats that. Maybe some dentist do but not me. :NoNo:

i'm not talking about all dentist :yikes:, but when the gov pays for the work you do, temptation is there to do work that doesn't need doing at all or yet:NoNo:

can a dentist surgery survive if most people who came for a check up needed nothing doing ?? i dont think it would pay their bills never mind there wages

i know of a few people who now go to dentists in Hungary because prices are like 1/3 of the prices here in the UK.

i've read somewhere, that some dentist would do a filling, when it fact it was only a stain on the tooth not decay :Erm:

[filipina_owl]

i'm not talking about all dentist :yikes:, but when the gov pays for the work you do, temptation is there to do work that doesn't need doing at all or yet:NoNo:

can a dentist surgery survive if most people who came for a check up needed nothing doing ?? i dont think it would pay their bills never mind there wages

i know of a few people who now go to dentists in Hungary because prices are like 1/3 of the prices here in the UK.

i've read somewhere, that some dentist would do a filling, when it fact it was only a stain on the tooth not decay :Erm:


yes perhaps what you're saying is true for some dentists. :doh well, you can also go to philippines for a dental treatment during your holiday vacation, much more cheaper than in hungary i think, plus you can expect better treatments and services. :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[filipina_owl]

wow!! that's one healthy baby boy!!! hey.. would you consider introducing your boy to showbizness in the philippines when he grows up? as we all know that half pinoys and half whites are such good combination! :) thank you for all your well wishes. i really am struggling with the sickness and nausea at the moment as it's not just in the mornings but all thru out the day so can't wait for my first trimester to be over and done with. good luck again and can't wait to see the photos you may possibly post :D


yes thank you ekks, it wont be long now until we welcome our baby boy to the outside world. :BouncyHappy::Hellooo: yes, i am very open about introducing our baby in the world of showbizness when he grows up. :D my husband likes derek ramsay, he likes his skintone and he said that he wants our baby to have the same color as him as he is "Moreno". :D but i think derek ramsay has lighter complexion in person as he is also half british. :Erm: well, if given a chance, i would love my baby boy to join showbizness in the future. :D:)

[Kju&2]

yes thank you ekks, it wont be long now until we welcome our baby boy to the outside world. :BouncyHappy::Hellooo: yes, i am very open about introducing our baby in the world of showbizness when he grows up. :D my husband likes derek ramsay, he likes his skintone and he said that he wants our baby to have the same color as him as he is "Moreno". :D but i think derek ramsay has lighter complexion in person as he is also half british. :Erm: well, if given a chance, i would love my baby boy to join showbizness in the future. :D:)

Didn't know Derek Ramsay is half brit! :D I'm sure your boy will find it easy to tan just like Derek, half asians are like that I think ;)

[English Rose]

There's nothing to stop you going to a private hospital in the UK.

[Florge]

Thanks Florge :D Don't forget to take your folic acid!! Only started taking it last week when I found out so I hope it still works for me :cwm12:

yeah.. i have to do that at least a month before i plan to get preggo..:xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Kju&2]

There's nothing to stop you going to a private hospital in the UK.

Thank you but as everyone here has pointed out to me - the only difference here with the NHS and a private hospital was having a private room (and obviously the cost). In the Philippines, I thought all the dodgy or not so good doctors end up working for a government hospital and then all the good ones work at a private hence I thought it's the same everywhere but apparently not.

[Arthur Little]

Thank you but as everyone here has pointed out to me - the only difference here with the NHS and a private hospital was having a private room (and obviously the cost). In the Philippines, I thought all the dodgy or not so good doctors end up working for a government hospital and then all the good ones work at a private hence I thought it's the same everywhere but apparently not.

:xxgrinning--00xx3: Well said, Erika ... the standard of care provided by NHS Maternity Units is every bit as good as what you would receive in ANY Private Hospital here, as Alan will testify. And you're absolutely correct, the only benefit with the latter IS you'd have a room to yourself.

[Doc Alan]

:xxgrinning--00xx3: Well said, Erika ...

Very tactfully put, Erika, and thanks Arthur for your reply :) I will be just as tactful, and suggest that it's helpful to read the title of the thread; carefully consider what you are going to say after reading any contributions already made; if it's 2.40 am as now, think again before posting your reply:xxgrinning--00xx3: