Moving to London--Need OB questions answered

Silverdragon102, BSN · Dec 20, 2005

PLEASE excuse my ignorance here! I'm a good ole American girl who's moving with my husband to London for a 12-18 month tour of duty. We'll be coming over sometime before June--Probably April or so. Anyway, the husband and I are considering using this time to have one more baby and I have a few questions. I already have two beautiful children--ages 3 and 22 months, and they were both born via c-section. Is it protocol to have a c-section after you've already had two of them? I have to use the drug Clomid in order to even get pregnant--Do you guys use that drug there or something else? I don't know a thing about the healthcare system...We will have health insurance, but I have no idea about how much a hospital stay will cost or how any of that works. I imagine it's much different than in the U.S. Do you circumsize little boys at birth? I know, I know...SO many questions! If you can help me answer some of them, I would sure be grateful!

Let me see if I can answer some of your questions

C section would depend on obs guy but would probably say yes (my sister had 3 C sections)

Yes we use clomid over here

Not sure how much stay will cost

We do not routinely circumsize at birth

Hope this helps :)

lisamct · Dec 20, 2005

Hi

Just wanted to add a bit more to what has already been said...

As far as c-sections go, unless there is a definite medical/physical issue theres no reason why you need to have a 3rd CS unless of course that's what you want. You will probably find that your encouraged to go down the CS route and if its your choice to do that then go for it but if not VBAC's are facilitated throughout the country.

Yep, we have Clomid so shouldnt be an issue.

As far as I know (someone may be able to clarify this) if your in the UK your entitled to free NHS maternity care regardless of where you originate from or how long your in the country so your local hospital Trust will provide all your care for free. You can choose to use private services if you wish, either private hospital care (The Portland is the only private maternity hospital in London http://www.theportlandhospital.com/CustomPage.asp?guidCustomContentID=004F60E6-3294-11D5-81FF-00508B116BA6 ) or an Independant midwife, both of these you'll pay for but Im not entirely sure how much.

No we dont curcumsize boys at birth. Where I work this isnt done even if requested as its seen as un-necessary intervention. Parents who wish their son curcumsized need to arrange a private consultation and will be required to pay for the procedure. Not sure how it works throughout the rest of the country but I'd imagine its pretty similar.

Hope that helps.

ToucanRN · Dec 20, 2005

hi. just to add my 2 cents on da matter.

yes the portland is private but it is not the only private hospital. Queen Charlotte's in Hammersmith and St. Mary's in Paddington (both in London) offer private facilities. These are not the only ones but of these I am definite.

In terms of free health care you have to be resident in the uk, either workin or studing or from another EU member state. but this is not usually enforced.

I wish u all da best on ur future move.

AggieNurse2B · Dec 20, 2005

Thank you all so much for your responses. This helps lots. I definitely do NOT want a VBAC, so I don't want to be forced into one. If we have a little boy, I know my husband will want him circumsized, so that could be a little touchy for us. It's so customary for that to be done here in the US, although it is becoming less and less common every year. I think the hubby could get over it if not for the fact that he, himself, is circumsized and so is our first son. I'm not as concerned about the cost...It's my understanding that you guys have it WAY better there in the UK than we do here in the US. WITH health insurance, it cost me about $4000 to have my son in 2004. (Without, it would have been around $18,000) So my big time concerns here are the c-section/VBAC issue and the circumsision issue. I suppose I need to weigh everything and figure out if I'm better off having a baby while there in the UK or waiting until I get back so I would have my trusty old "c-section and circ" OB that I LOVE and used for my first two sweet babies. :rolleyes:

ToucanRN · Dec 20, 2005

If i'm not mistaken u will be entitled to free maternity care (i hav to be honest and say i dont know how the military works and whether he is considered employed by the us government and therefore not coverd). however once u hav insurance your maternity costs should be covered by them, though you would have to read your terms and conditions.

In my last hospital circumscisions were carried out on males (privately) it might be worth u looking at a few hospital websites and giving them a call if ou are worried about this.

in my current hospital a c section is offerd to women with previous sections. the choice is always yours, the information is given to you so u can make an informed decision.

I can only imagine the internal dilemas you are goin through. All i can say is you are and will be welcomed to the UK whatever you decision. we are very friendly

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Dec 20, 2005

Wishing you a smooth transition and much luck in the upcoming new year!

ClaireMacl · Dec 21, 2005

Hi,

I think the only thing I have to add is that although you will be entitled to free healthcare from your time of coming to this country, this does not mean that you will necessarily get the meds for conception. It can take up to six months sometimes from the time you register with a GP, express your wishes, be referred, wait up to four months sometimes for an appointment (16 weeks is average in the UK for a consultant) and then get initial investigations if your health authority in the US won't give you the records before they give the meds.

Seems like a lengthy process to me for someone who is planning to come here for 1 year... can you perhaps start the treatment before leaving the US, explain the circumstances and get them to directly refer you to someone in London?

Best of luck :)

AggieNurse2B · Dec 21, 2005

Well, my husband is not military. He works for a global company, and we're taking a 12-18 month contract in London. His area of responsibility is Europe and Africa, and he'll be on the road (air, really) quite a bit. We can choose to live just about anywhere "across the pond" we want, but we're choosing London b/c my husband likes it (I've never been), and I understand it's a GREAT place to visit and live. Thanks so much for the warm welcome, by the way! :wink2:

The company takes pretty good care of us while there, so we'll have some type of health care coverage, although from the looks of things, it works totally differently there in the UK. Again, excuse my ignorance. I know nothing of the healthcare system there.

My doctor here in the US is great, and he'll give me the drugs before I go, so no worries there. Plus, I can come back to the US anytime I want--We've collected just a FEW frequent flier miles over the past few years with my husband's travels with his company!

I love that I can elect a c-section if I want. I was concerned that I might not be able to find a doctor that would do one. Same with the circ. It wouldn't bother me to let my little boy go uncircumsized, but since my husband and son are, I would want to follow the "family trend." Good to know that I would just have to do a little research to find someone who would do it for me.

Thanks again for all your help. I'm excited about coming over, but scared to death at the same time. We'll be selling our house and cars, and I'll be quitting my job. Big changes!

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2005

Hi,

I cant imagine (unless you go into labour and deliver quickly) any hospital in the UK allowing you to have a VBAC as you have already had 2 c/sections. I know where I worked unless you insisted it would not be recommended for you to have a lady partsl birth, it would no tbe deemed safe.As far as circumsision goes it is very inexpensive to go private to have one done in a new born.

lisamct · Dec 27, 2005

Hi,
I cant imagine (unless you go into labour and deliver quickly) any hospital in the UK allowing you to have a VBAC as you have already had 2 c/sections. I know where I worked unless you insisted it would not be recommended for you to have a lady partsl birth, it would no tbe deemed safe.

Where abouts in the UK are you Madwife? Just wondering as Ive seen several women having VBAC's in my hospital after previous sections (both single and multilple) Our consultants seem quite willing to give most women the informed choice of a VBAC if they wish to go down that route (unless there's previous history of uterine rupture or other serious complications)

I didnt think they were that unusual in their approach to VBAC but maybe they are?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Dec 27, 2005

Where abouts in the UK are you Madwife? Just wondering as Ive seen several women having VBAC's in my hospital after previous sections (both single and multilple) Our consultants seem quite willing to give most women the informed choice of a VBAC if they wish to go down that route (unless there's previous history of uterine rupture or other serious complications)
I didnt think they were that unusual in their approach to VBAC but maybe they are?

She has just moved to Phoenix (lucky s*d )