Choosing a private obstetrician

Why choose a private obstetrician?

Many private obstetricians also work within the NHS for part of their week, though some are fully private. Having your baby through a private clinic is expensive and will cost several thousands if you use a private obstetrician throughout your pregnancy. However some couples choose this route for differing reasons:

•  Privacy

Away from busy NHS antenatal clinics where waiting times for appointments can take half a day (particularly in London).

•  Medical concern

If there are reasons which make a pregnancy ‘high risk’, a couple may choose to opt for a private obstetrician as this offers continuity of care, with the obstetrician present even for routine check-ups that would usually be carried out by a midwife.

•  Care from start to finish

In the NHS many regions are so busy with that you might not see the same midwife or doctor twice. This does not necessarily reflect in a negative way on the quality of your care, but it can give some women cause for concern. Especially if they have anxieties about pregnancy that they do not wish to go through each time they meet a new member of the team.

How to choose a private obstetrician

If you have friends who can recommend a consultant, this makes a huge difference in putting your mind at ease. However, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have some excellent advice on their website for those patients looking for private care.

At www.rcog.org.uk you can find the latest information on how to understand a doctor’s professional qualifications.  And at www.drfosterhealth.co.uk you can find a list of consultants who specialise in Obstetrics and Gynaecology that are local to you.