You should be able to check with the hospital if you’re not sure what their policy is. Having a natural birth Stateside can come with a bill of $30,000 (£23,000) or up to $50,000 (£39,000) for a c-section, according to Truven Health Analytics. But with constant discussions and debates about the potential privatisation of health care in the UK, it’s becoming a growing concern for many. She specialises in Fashion and Beauty Journalism, and has experience at a range of online and print publications and joined the team in 2017. If there’s one available, a private room costs up to £4502 a night. Your hospital should be able to tell you what their policy is and what you need to do. Copyright © 2005-2020 LaingBuisson International Limited. Our World of Wellbeing hub contains lots of useful tips and information about being a parent abroad. The GP will confirm your pregnancy and refer you on to see a community midwife. In the UK, it’s common for new mums to have baby showers thrown for them before baby arrives to celebrate the pregnancy. When your baby arrives, you’ll then be moved to a post-natal ward where midwives will tend to a number of new mums and babies, until you’re ready to go home. Midwives are available through the NHS or privately and can be found through the clinics, or through your own research. Having a natural birth Stateside can come with a bill of $30,000 (£23,000) or up to $50,000 (£39,000) for a c-section, according to Truven Health Analytics. Prices sourced from hospitals and clinics in the UK as well as from the LaingBuisson Self-pay Market Report (LaingBuisson are chosen provider of Independent Sector Healthcare market data to the Office for National Statistics). You’ll be able to opt for more tests and scans if you’d like them, some of which aren’t offered through the NHS, such as 3D and 4D ultrasounds. They’ll be able to talk you through what to expect and answer any questions you might have. This price at the trust includes a two night stay, midwife care during delivery, food and more. These costs are usually charged in addition to your hospital and doctor fees. All Rights Reserved. Pregnancy and parenthood - cultural traditions in the UK Once you’ve had your baby and the hospital has confirmed that you and your baby are ready, you’ll be able to settle into your new routine at home and recover. There are also midwives based in the hospitals who offer a 24/7 triage phone line, so if anything doesn’t feel quite right, or your waters break, you can give them a call day or night and they’ll guide you through what to do. If there are any complications, you may be referred to see a consultant so that they can keep a closer eye on you. We’ve taken a closer look at why this is and what you should think about if you’re expecting, to help you make the best choices for you and your baby. Picture: Getty There are, however, more discreet areas where you’ll have more privacy if you’d prefer. For an elective of emergency cesarean, you can expect to pay much more. But with constant chatter surrounding the issue of privatisation - thanks to Donald Trump's controversial comments about a potential UK trade deal - people are understandably worried that our health service could be under threat. A guide to pregnancy and giving birth in the UK, Pregnancy and parenthood - cultural traditions in the UK, https://www.privateultrasoundscanslondon.com/pregnancy-scans, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/private-maternity-rooms-nhs-hospitals-cost-up-up-to-450-a-night-a8136761.html, https://guysandstthomasprivatehealthcare.co.uk/services/maternity/maternity-prices-packages/. They offer emotional support for any worries you have, whether it’s relationship, financial or family concerns on your mind, they’ll be there to listen. Those who are from countries with healthcare agreements with the UK are also able to benefit from free NHS care. Read this guide to find out what to expect from the local health system. Here's hoping the NHS will continue - as the last thing you want to be worrying about when you're in labour is money... Rachel Andrews is an NCTJ trained Journalist at PRETTY52. There’s a team of midwives on hand through our health information helpline who’ll be able to answer any questions you might have about your pregnancy. Some hospitals allow your birthing partner to stay with you if you have your own room. You’ll have the choice between having your baby through the private or the public health system, but, what’s the difference? According to Private Pregnancy, prices can vary depending on how far into your pregnancy you are when you hire these services. A traditional baby shower is organised by female friends and family members and is a party filled with baby and pregnancy related games, and the mum is given gifts for when baby arrives. (Spoiler alert, it isn't cheap when you break it down...). Private vs public We’ve looked at some of the benefits and pitfalls of the public and private health systems in the UK when it comes to pregnancy, to help you make that all important decision. There are lots of community parenting groups and you’ll probably have made some new friends through ante-natal pregnancy and birthing classes. By clicking on continue you will be leaving the AXA site and be directed to HealthUnlocked or one of their partner sites. In the US, people must budget for insurance to ensure they can afford healthcare as and when they need it. You’ll be given the details of this phone line from your community midwife. Most women have at least two ultrasounds during their pregnancies, quickly adding on extra expenses. If you continue, we'll assume you are happy for your web browser to receive all cookies from our website. The facilities in private hospitals are generally more comfortable, with more luxury and privacy. Learn about pregnancy and giving birth in Kenya with this guide and find info on antenatal care, private vs public hospitals and more. You’ll be able to find out more about these groups and how to join them by asking your doctor or OB, and by doing some online research. Depending on where you live in the UK, a private midwife can cost between £2,000 to £5,000 says Which?, adding that only two per cent of women in the UK currently decide to use a private midwife. https://guysandstthomasprivatehealthcare.co.uk/services/maternity/maternity-prices-packages/. Some women opt to use a combination of the systems, hiring private midwives and booking private scans and tests, but using the NHS hospitals and specialists for the birth. Your delivery Most of the maternity clinics and hospitals are NHS led in the UK, but some have private wings where patients can book their own rooms whilst receiving their care on the NHS. See our cookie policy for more information on cookies and how to manage them. It's clear that these figures quickly begin to add up when having a baby. As the Mirror reports, Guys and St Thomas', London, charge this figure, which includes a one night stay. Learn about the health system in China when it comes to pregnancy with this guide on hospitals, treatment and antenatal care. It costs $27,000 more to give birth in the US than it does in the UK—here's why Published Mon, Sep 25 2017 12:37 PM EDT Updated Mon, Sep 25 2017 12:37 PM EDT Ester Bloom @shorterstory The private services, however, allow you to personalise your care and ensure that you’re in more control of getting the pregnancy and birth you’d like. Both NHS and private hospitals are very accommodating and offer lots of choice of how you’d like to deliver your baby. THIS is how much it costs to give birth on the NHS. In some cases, this visit may be free of charge - make sure you check what you’re entitled to carefully. The costs for a private birth are usually billed as packages and can vary in cost anything upwards of £5000 3. These packages don’t usually include the costs of midwives, obstetricians or the cost of any additional medical treatment. Hospital Fees Hospital fees cover your delivery and the hospital care and accommodation that you’ll need during the birth and for the first 24 hours afterwards. Really, it comes down to the level of personalised care and the treatment you’d like throughout your pregnancy and birth, and how much you want to spend. 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