Private Health Insurance and Pregnancy

My midwife, when I first met her, told me right up front that if any point I felt uncomfortable with her or wanted someone else, then I should ask. She wouldn't be offended, and what matters MOST is that I'm comfortable with who I see, and that I have every right to change! So if you don't like who you get, definitely shop around if your practice has more than one midwife...

Thanks I will bear that in mind. I got lucky when I went for the GP appointment, I have never seen a GP there before, only the nurse as I never get sick, so I didn't know who to ask for - anyway they messed up and made me a midwife appointment by mistake but when I got there they realised I needed to see a GP - all the GPs were booked out of course, the only person available at such short notice was the head of the practice so I got him and he was great at answering all our (probably dumb!) questions.

We are just full of hormones on this site aren't we.... Congratulations...... Marlespo you started all of this  

Well all I know is what I have experience with my pregnancy so far.  We have Bupa which covers absolutely squat when it comes to any prepregnancy testing, prenantal, anything that has to do with pregnancy pre or post.  I am a very-high risk case considering there is a chance I still may miscarry.  But that's a whole different story.

Besides each women is a totally different ball game.  So you have to go with your instincts, the comfort level of where you would give birth, how much you trust your doctor, the hospital, who would be around you for a support system, etc.

Anyway so far we have paid out-of-pocket £1,500 ($2,700) for tests, visits, etc. here in London with a private obstetrician.  Just for my blood test to confirm I was pregnant alone was exhorberant.  Now granted I probably could have gone to my GP to get a referral which I did but he was only able to give me one referral and refused to give me anyone else.  If I did go w/his referral and went to go see this a doctor/midwife I'm sure I would have gone to the "high-risk category" but I was not willing to play the wait game and wanted to do my own interviewing for my own obstetrician.  But that's just me.

We went to see my obstetrician while we were in NY I had two visits.  At both visits, I had a sonogram each, blood test for my progesterone level, given prenantal vitamins and the bill came to $75 for each visit!!  Now granted the blood work is done at Quest Diagnostics and you get a seperate bill which was $105.  I was even given extra prometrium tables (two weeks worth) until I could get to my doctor here in London in case I had trouble getting an appointment.  So my visit cost us a total of $180!! and that's without health insurance!   vs. £150 a pop each visit here in London not including the extra ££ for each test, manipulation or sonogram performed on me!

Just think if we had health insurance in the U.S. it would be a mere $20 for the co-pay with Oxford.  My girlfriend just had a baby (C-section) private room the whole sherbang - she paid just her co-pay required by Oxford for a hospital stay!  Which I think came to $150  That's it!!

We actually haven't decided where we're having our baby but it looks like it's pointing to NY especially with the situation I am in coupled along with the other factors we have.  

But in my view is it depends on the needs of the women, the couple, the newborn, how they feel, and confident they are, etc.  The rest doesn't matter.  You go with who you feel is best for you needs and wants at that time.

In the end we'll all have happy, healthy and well-adjusted children I'm sure.

Thanks NYSOM you are so right, it is all down to indivdual preference/hunch/funny feeling/specific circumstances in the end ... thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences ... that is interesting to know it is not that expensive in the US, I had no idea and well worth it for you to have peace of mind especially if you are in a high risk group.

One of my main concerns is to avoid a C-section unless absolutely necessary and hopefully have a home birth, one of the reasons I think we will go with the Royal Free which is against elective C-sections (apparently very popular with the genteel ladies of NW3!) and promotes home birth as an option.

...you have to go with your instincts, the comfort level of where you would give birth, how much you trust your doctor, the hospital, who would be around you for a support system, etc.

Amen to that!

Britwife, I was asking my midwife about the home birth, and the list of items she brings along withher *alone* made me feel more comfortable. I suppose in my mind I had this image of her showing up with a towel and just asking us to boil some water! Very "Little House on the Prairie" like... so that was a big comfort to me. Plus, I'll be calling the ambulance anyway, even if David is *here* cause there's no way I'm giving birth in a car.

My mom went from 3cm dilated to GIVING BIRTH to me in 40 minutes. No contractions, her water never broke... so there's no way I'm risking a car-baby!

My mom went from 3cm dilated to GIVING BIRTH to me in 40 minutes. No contractions, her water never broke... so there's no way I'm risking a car-baby!

OMG I didn't think to ask my mum about how long she was in labour, I definitely will now!!

I just wanted to pop in and say congrats Britwife!!!

I just wanted to pop in and say congrats Britwife!!!

Thanks so much, we only did the test a week ago so it's still sinking in ...

Oh. My. God!  Liz!!  Congrats!!!  Hamish and I are so happy for both of you.  (And only a wee bit jealous too.)    Wonderful news though and can't wait to hear about how things go for you.  I'm taking notes.  

Congratulations Liz!!!!  This is so exciting!!!!

Im not planning on having kids in the very near future but Im sure they'll be born in the US (as we're moving back). I dont know ANYTHING about insurance and pregnancy issues in the US.

Hubby and I will be getting US Insurance soon - what should I be on the look-out for? Anyone had their babies in the Houston area? For that matter, has anyone experienced alternative births (ie. birthing pools, home births etc)?

Ta,
Sarah

Thanks so much Becca and Elle! will fill in details at curry night!
x Liz

Insurance in the US...pay a little bit more to get a slightly better plan!

Depends a lot on whether or not you plan on being self employed or through an employer.  Insurance varies greatly and can cover almost everything to nothing.  Worst case in pregnancy is that they cover 80%.  Though most are just co-pay type stituations with HMO's. A typical birth can run from $7500-$10,000 so make sure you ask lots of questions before signing up!  

Some will cover alternative methods like birthing centers, midwives and doulas while others won't.  It really does just depend.  Shop around if you can though with an employer based plan the choices are more limited.

Make sure to ask about the C-Section rate you OB/GYN has... we like those C-Sections here.  My best friend just had one she did not need because she got the on call doctor versus her regular doc.  Fun.  

Thanks for that info! I really appreciate it Its a big help.