Public or Private CUMH

StarBright01

Hi all this has been asked before but all threads seem to be a good few years old so thought I would start it up again to see if anyone has any newer info.

I'm just after finding out I'm pregnant (we're thrilled but super cautious as early days and have a bit of a history. Thought it would be a good opp to start research.

Has anybody had any thoughts as to going public or private in CUMH? Is the standard of care the same? Are the costs roughly €3000K for private?? What is the difference is it just getting a private room & seeing same person each time? Would a good alternative be to go public and pay for extra scans? I see there is a place in Ballincollig that does private scans.

The private room wouldn't bother me as much as much as the standard of care. i would like the idea of seeing the same person each time but we would need to find €3K that we don't have at the moment! I have heard that the care received from the midwives going public is brilliant on the other hand.

Sorry for all the questions, any thoughts or advice is much much appreciated! I'm all new to this as first time pregnant!

brokensoul

Hey there, I am going private to CUMH. I am under Dr Waterstone and so I have all my check ups and scans in his rooms (across the road from UCC). It cost us €3,200. The reason I chose to do this is that I previously had a myomectomy under Dr Waterstone, and then had fertility treatment in the Cork Fertility Clinic, which he runs so I was very used to him and have faith in him. Also, I am 38 and expecting twins so am fairly nervous!

As this is my first time I can't tell you anything about how it compares to the public system to be honest. We did talk to lots of people before making the decision, and we heard good and bad stories about both public and private. It is a lot of money and for us I think we are only paying it because it took us so long to get here and we didn't want to look back if anything goes wrong and wonder would it have made a difference to go private.

StarBright01

brokensoul wrote: »

Hey there, I am going private to CUMH. I am under Dr Waterstone and so I have all my check ups and scans in his rooms (across the road from UCC). It cost us €3,200. The reason I chose to do this is that I previously had a myomectomy under Dr Waterstone, and then had fertility treatment in the Cork Fertility Clinic, which he runs so I was very used to him and have faith in him. Also, I am 38 and expecting twins so am fairly nervous!

As this is my first time I can't tell you anything about how it compares to the public system to be honest. We did talk to lots of people before making the decision, and we heard good and bad stories about both public and private. It is a lot of money and for us I think we are only paying it because it took us so long to get here and we didn't want to look back if anything goes wrong and wonder would it have made a difference to go private.

Thanks a million for taking the time to reply. I can completely understand what you mean about piece of mind. It's a lot of money but it's the reassurance as you say. I think you can get some of it back in tax as well, 20%? Wow twins! What an exciting time, congrats & best of luck with all!

Roesy

I'm currently 11 weeks pregnant. This is my fourth pregnancy and all going well, our 3rd baby. With my first pregnancy I went through the public system but unfortunately had a miscarriage at 9ish weeks. Didn't have a great experience in CUMH then. I have pcos and thyroid problems and was a nervous wreck going into the next pregnancy so I went privately with Dr Dan McKenna at a cost of €3000. Had all my scans and visits in his rooms across from Cumh. The important thing for me was continuity of care so it suited me. I was lucky to get my own room too. I went with him again for my last pregnancy at a cost of €2600. To be fair the start of this pregnancy has been problematic and I ended up as an inpatient overnight on the public system and the treatment couldn't be faulted. I still decided to go private again though. Most of my friends have gone public and found it fine.

StarBright01

Roesy wrote: »

I'm currently 11 weeks pregnant. This is my fourth pregnancy and all going well, our 3rd baby. With my first pregnancy I went through the public system but unfortunately had a miscarriage at 9ish weeks. Didn't have a great experience in CUMH then. I have pcos and thyroid problems and was a nervous wreck going into the next pregnancy so I went privately with Dr Dan McKenna at a cost of €3000. Had all my scans and visits in his rooms across from Cumh. The important thing for me was continuity of care so it suited me. I was lucky to get my own room too. I went with him again for my last pregnancy at a cost of €2600. To be fair the start of this pregnancy has been problematic and I ended up as an inpatient overnight on the public system and the treatment couldn't be faulted. I still decided to go private again though. Most of my friends have gone public and found it fine.

Thanks Roesy I have heard lots of people talking about Dan McKenna & how great he is!

Roesy

I've found him to be excellent. Very easy to deal with, straight talking and very, very reassuring during delivery.

happywithlife

Have only gone public with two non complicated pregnancies but did find the care to be good. Went through midwife led clinic last time and found it great - much quicker for appointments too. Only complaint was very little on wards afterwards for things like breastfeeding and importance of pelvic floor strengthening etc. But I don't think that would have been improved with private care. I do remember when in on my second the girl next to me was private and I remember her consultant coming in to review her on the Friday morning (day after section) and I couldn't help overhear the consult through the films curtains - I was shocked at the literally 5 minute visit and patient being told that it was it she'd be seen at the rooms again in 6 weeks for her checkup and regular docs would oversee her discharge as consultant was off for the weekend (which obviously they're entitled to) but I was a bit "glad I didn't pay 3 grand for that"
Just to point out I've always been in 2 bed room though I do know they have 4 bed rooms so maybe it's pot luck I was in the smaller room

pooch90

I went public and had my wee fella 12 weeks ago. Absolutely cannot fault it. I was in a room of 2. I wanted to be in the MLU and luckily pregnancy was low risk so was in MLU in Mitchelstown. I didn't mind not seeing the same person each time to be honest. I hated the scan appointments in CUMH though,just so busy and like a cattle mart. The only thing that would make me consider private was that we only had three scans (12,20,22 weeks) and didn't get scan photos at the 20 week one. I also didn't like my consultant (that I only saw once at 20 wk scan) very much. I'm sure he was probably grand if I spent more time in his care though!

StarBright01

Thanks all for taking the time to reply ,really interesting responses here from all. I'm more confused than ever! I'm only 4 weeks gone so far but I guess I'll need to be making up my mind soon as doc will want to know! There is so much to take in information wise, its all a bit over whelming!

Lucuma

Starbright do you have health insurance & have you had it for at least 1 yr? You can't go private otherwise.
CUMH is a state-of-the-art maternity hospital. It's all new & shiny. It's not like some dodgier maternity hospitals you see in the news a lot. Therefore going private there is really a luxury. It's definitely not necessary especially as they have double rooms so you pay nothing & only have to share a room with 1 other person (by contrast e.g. Rotunda in Dublin you could be sharing with 10)
So I would say- if you have the money lying around or if you're high risk then consider it.

LegacyUser

i went public in the CUMH on my first, honestly other than long waits for appointments it was ok, i was also put in a 2 bed room.


the second child we went with the Domino scheme in the CUMH, if you have this as an option i'd highly recommend it, in my opinion it was better than private care (i have indirect experience of this from relatives and boards.ie),

i wanted a home birth but i was too afraid of any risks to do it, the domino scheme was the next best thing so i chased it up to get on it, my experience of it outdid my expectations by a long shot, my husband and i cannot praise the domino midwives more, we got an anomaly scan along with the same scans the public get but unlike private they were all free, i still saw my gp as part of the combined care and while there is a team of midwives on the domino scheme my appointments happened to be with one in particular each time and she was fantastic, afterwards she also came to visit us as part of the scheme so continuity of care was there,

and to be fair the domino midwife that was there on the day i went into labour went above and beyond for us, the quality of care from her couldn't have been better and we actually miss her still (not enough to have another baby though, almost but not quite), we feel like that about all the domino midwives we met on our journey however and i found this scheme overall to be better run than consultant led care due to the attitudes of the midwives involved, i genuinely believe the birth was easier and more pain free this time around because of their care, and it was all natural like my first,

it also meant i was out of hospital that same day and at home for the follow up care which to me meant everything as i was able to relax with baby at home, likewise being at home meant 1 on 1 care with the midwives calling out to us in the days after the birth for my baby and i which was great as they were able to give better personally tailored advice for my own set up and i can say if it wasn't for them my child wouldn't be breastfed right now.

StarBright01

Lucuma wrote: »

Starbright do you have health insurance & have you had it for at least 1 yr? You can't go private otherwise.
CUMH is a state-of-the-art maternity hospital. It's all new & shiny. It's not like some dodgier maternity hospitals you see in the news a lot. Therefore going private there is really a luxury. It's definitely not necessary especially as they have double rooms so you pay nothing & only have to share a room with 1 other person (by contrast e.g. Rotunda in Dublin you could be sharing with 10)
So I would say- if you have the money lying around or if you're high risk then consider it.

Thanks Lucuma. I have health insurance but the waiting period isn't up until June and even with that its a basic enough policy so no contributions towards private consultants. Its odd with CUMH its either public or private there is no semi-private.

I'll talk to doc as well. I have heard good things about the hospital in the since that its so new alright. Thanks for all of your advice

pooch90

AFAIK they are now offering the anomaly(anatomy) scans to most patients regardless of scheme, both myself and my best friend got one through public. Whether public or private, CUMH will be a great place for you and bubs.

Roesy

I'm glad to hear that about the anomaly scans Pooch as I personally know very few people who got them. Two people I know had to really fight their cause to get them. One already had a child with a condition if not picked up on during pregnancy could have lead to complications at birth. The other already had a child with Down syndrome. Public or private I think everyone should get this scan!!!

Roesy

Oh and as far as I'm aware there are 4 bed wards in Cumh as well are the single and double rooms. Still not bad compared to the huge wards in some of the other hospitals.

pwurple

Hi Starbright, congrats!,

I went public on on my pregnancies in CUMH. Delighted with the level of care throughout. Loads of scans, including anomoly scans, great births, normal, unassisted with epidural for pain relief, with lovely midwives.. Semiprivate (2 bed) rooms each time for after baby was born.

Only advice I'd give you is to ASK for the first appointment of the morning. I was in and out in 30 minutes that way and I suspect if they are not rushed you get more scans... I've heard other people tell stories about waiting around for ages, but honestly, I never had that with early appointments. Only time I was in longer was when I picked up sinusitus mid pregnancy, and my blood pressure went crazy, so they kept me in for most of the day on a monitor.

It's streets ahead of any other hospital in the country. My friend had a baby in one of the dublin hospitals a few weeks ago (and paid 4k privately for it!) and it sounded like something from a war zone. 8 person wards as the private ones were not available, junkie handcuffed to the bed next to her in labour, no-one cleaning up after people when they had a bloody show or waters breaking on the floor, put in a bed covered in someone else's blood.

Digs

Roesy wrote: »

I'm glad to hear that about the anomaly scans Pooch as I personally know very few people who got them. Two people I know had to really fight their cause to get them. One already had a child with a condition if not picked up on during pregnancy could have lead to complications at birth. The other already had a child with Down syndrome. Public or private I think everyone should get this scan!!!

This topic has been discussed in the last week on another group I'm in. Two of the girls currently pregnant attending CUMH haven't gotten anomaly scans, one lady was told when she queried it there aren't enough scanners at the moment so they aren't offering them as routine. Another lady with the hospital suggested fighting your case from day one and requesting one constantly. It's one scan I'd fight tooth and nail for but disgraceful you'd have to.

pwurple

You can also pay for an anomoly scan privately if you don't get one. 250 euro I think, from the private hospitals, which is still a lot less than the 3k for private.

Roesy

I don't think the lack of anomaly scan is going to sway anyone from public to private when private scans are so readily available. At the end of the day I was happy to go private but wouldn't have done so if it meant putting my family under financial pressure. It was worth it for me for continuity of care and regular scans by the same person. As I said in a previous post,
I had a bad experience there during a mc but €3000 is a lot of money and we were lucky that when we had our first that the only big purchase we had to make was a travel system as we were at the end of a group of friends/family having kids and and people were delighted to hand us over their baby stuff. Whichever way you decide to go, Op, you'll be in good hands out there. It's a fine hospital and most of the staff I've experienced there have been great.

StarBright01

Great thread all thanks still for yere input, advice and tips. Will definitely ask for apt first thing in the morning- great tip! I think we'll go public & pay privately for some extra scans if they won't give anomaly scan. There is also a midwife led study held in CUMH called "Improved" which means you get an extra scan, blood tests & checks so am looking into that at the moment as an extra. Has anyone heard of it? Would love to hear from someone who's done it.

pwurple

That particular study was not around when I was there, but I did do a study called SCOPE at the time. That one was doing a lot of measurements and scans, and took some extra bloods. (both of me, the baby and my husband). A couple of extra appointments, but I found the study interesting, and the scans and extra checks to be reassuring.

There was follow up with the baby, I can't remember what age, but it actually worked out great, as we got fast tracked onto an allergy program in the hospital when they identified allergies with her.

StarBright01

pwurple wrote: »

That particular study was not around when I was there, but I did do a study called SCOPE at the time. That one was doing a lot of measurements and scans, and took some extra bloods. (both of me, the baby and my husband). A couple of extra appointments, but I found the study interesting, and the scans and extra checks to be reassuring.

There was follow up with the baby, I can't remember what age, but it actually worked out great, as we got fast tracked onto an allergy program in the hospital when they identified allergies with her.

Thanks Pwurple great to hear info on it! Think I'll sign up, great to get some extra attention!!

dolly16

Hi StarBright01  - Just wondering did you decide to go public in the end, how did u find it? Were you offered the 20 wk scan and how many scans did you get in total from CUMH?
Just trying to weigh up my own options so would love to hear your feed back on CUMH. Thanks

dove2011

pooch90 wrote: »

AFAIK they are now offering the anomaly(anatomy) scans to most patients regardless of scheme, both myself and my best friend got one through public. Whether public or private, CUMH will be a great place for you and bubs.

I ain't getting the anomaly scan in CUMH (public patient) which I am disgusted about; I am 38 yo first time pregnancy. Now someone did say I should have told them my father was a diabetic and they might do one for me but sure I have no contact with them until I meet the doc at 20 weeks...

dove2011

dolly16 wrote: »

Hi StarBright01  - Just wondering did you decide to go public in the end, how did u find it? Were you offered the 20 wk scan and how many scans did you get in total from CUMH?
Just trying to weigh up my own options so would love to hear your feed back on CUMH. Thanks

Dolly
I am going public and contacted my friend who only had a little baby; she said you only get 2 scans- 1 dating scan and the other is the term scan. you go into a hat for the 20 week scan.

rainbow kirby

dove2011 wrote: »

you go into a hat for the 20 week scan.

That is absolutely shocking.

dolly16

Is there any plans to make the 20 wk scan a given in CUMH? I've signed so many petitions but wonder is there anything becoming of it all. I know they are understaffed, saw recently on the news some big investment wonder will this bring changes to the area

dove2011

Can't see it happening on my time anyway- gutted and annoyed. this is suppose to be a new maternity hospital- in the news this week celebrating their 10th birthday but look sure we wont bother given everyone 20 week scan they will be grand.

LegacyUser

Can you pay for the anomaly scan if public?

Mommabear

Can you go public but then pay for anomaly scan?

dove2011

Mommabear wrote: »

Can you go public but then pay for anomaly scan?

You can book a private clinic to get the scan- one in Ballincollig the other one across from the hospital.

I checked the one in Wilton, cost €200 and can only do it on a Tuesday.

dolly16

Is there anywhere online i can see a list on consultants in CUMH and their fees? or how did you all decide and pick one?
Finding the whole thing a bit confusing - I have a pretty good plan with my health insurance but it's so complicated as to what's covered and what's not covered. or how much would i pay or get back? 
Very confused! :ermm:

Countdown1982

Hi Dolly16

Here is a list of Consultants http://www.coga.ie/coga-consultants/, the cost are all the same 3000 euro.

The majority of Health Insurance plans do not cover this, just your stay in hospital and emergency treatment if required. Your best option is give your insurer a call to determine your level of cover, as yes the Health Insurance Plans can be very confusing.

Hope this helps

ncmc

Just thought I'd chime in with my experience going public with CUMH. First time was three years ago, ended up have an emergency CS. Couldn't fault the care I got from start to finish.

I'm currently 33 weeks pregnant and am public again. So far, I have no major complaints. I have gotten a scan at every visit (12, 20, 32 weeks) my next visit is 36 weeks and I would expect to get a scan then so they can see 'the lie of the land' so to speak. Now the scans were quick, but I only wanted them for peace of mind. I was not offered an anomaly scan despite the fact I will be 38 at full term, it's 39 and over in CUMH or if you have family history or history of complications. However anomaly scans are pretty freely available if you go to a private scanning facility. I decided not to bother as at both my 12 and 20 week scan, there was nothing that they could see to warrant concern.

This time I have found the clinics a bit more chaotic, I think that could be to do with bedding in issues with the new IT system. I am under Dr Waterstone and saw him at my 32 week check up. Last pregnancy, I requested to see him specifically towards the end and this was granted (probably waited a bit longer)

Due to my EMCS last time, I was given the option of an elective CS which I have decided to go with. I got my date at the 32 week scan. Last time I was amazingly lucky and got a private room (I knew the midwife checking me in!) it was nice, but I think most of the rooms are two bed, so it's not a deal breaker for me if I'm in a 2 bed or 4 bed. It's only a few nights, I can cope.

Obviously the public system isn't perfect, but €3k is a lot of money and I just couldn't justify the cost. As previously said, CUMH is a great hospital and the midwives are fantastic, yes they are very busy, but in my experience if you ask for their help, they will give it. I got a lot of help with breast feeding the last time cos I wasn't backwards about asking for the help. So I would have to say my experience has been 95% positive (the chaotic clinics are the only real downer)

dolly16

Thanks Countdown and NCMC, very helpful & definitely put me at ease now in making a decision.

3girls3

Hi, hope ye don't mind me butting in on this thread, I've just found out i'm pregnant with number 4 and i have a severe history of hyperemesis in my other 3 pregnancies (all girls!). My experience of cumh...public 3 times... has been relatively good, especially in the labour ward, they are fantastic! but my ante natal care has been shocking at times, now i am aware that it was complicated, several stays of drip and zofran to even allow me to just stop vomiting for a few hours! I dont think i want to go with coulter again i never met him once on any of my stays, i was always fobbed off to someone else, so does anyone have any recommendations for other consultants in cumh? i will be going public again as i feel the difference in care is very little, i have several friends who were private and could not tell the difference, thanks

jadie

3girls3 wrote: »

Hi, hope ye don't mind me butting in on this thread, I've just found out i'm pregnant with number 4 and i have a severe history of hyperemesis in my other 3 pregnancies (all girls!). My experience of cumh...public 3 times... has been relatively good, especially in the labour ward, they are fantastic! but my ante natal care has been shocking at times, now i am aware that it was complicated, several stays of drip and zofran to even allow me to just stop vomiting for a few hours! I dont think i want to go with coulter again i never met him once on any of my stays, i was always fobbed off to someone else, so does anyone have any recommendations for other consultants in cumh? i will be going public again as i feel the difference in care is very little, i have several friends who were private and could not tell the difference, thanks

Girls can you request a specific consultant to see at any stage as a public patient ? I would like to ask to see Dr.Watersone at some stage. on my booking appointment letter I have Orfhlaith O'Sullivan

bee06

jadie wrote: »

Girls can you request a specific consultant to see at any stage as a public patient ? I would like to ask to see Dr.Watersone at some stage. on my booking appointment letter I have Orfhlaith O'Sullivan

I don't think you can. The consultant I met was Dr Matt Hewitt at my 18 week appointment for about 20 mins. I don't think I see the consultant until I'm term as on the sheet I got it says all the other appointments are with the midwife.

Dr Waterstone is very good though. I was seeing him for my fertility treatment.

jadie

bee06 wrote: »

I don't think you can. The consultant I met was Dr Matt Hewitt at my 18 week appointment for about 20 mins. I don't think I see the consultant until I'm term as on the sheet I got it says all the other appointments are with the midwife.

Dr Waterstone is very good though. I was seeing him for my fertility treatment.

Ah I've had Matt Hewitt before doing a colposcopy at St. finbarr's very nice doctor and assuring.I'm just confused as the booking appointment letter states Orfhlaith O'Sullivan antenatal clinic (I'll be 14 weeks at that ) I had my dating scan yesterday where they found a large fibroid.So will I only see a midwife at the booking appointment?

Also am I tied to that particular day of the week for future appointments? It really doesn't suit me. Sorry for all the questions

3girls3

with my other 3, on the booking appointment with my GP, I was asked which team I wanted to be seen under and I just said the same as the last time cos I didnt know who was even available! Maybe I should ask my GP when I see her, from friends experiences though, If you request to be under a certain consultants team and they are too busy or arent dealing in pregnancies at the time, you will just be put under any consultant team. Bee06 - I wonder is that midwifery led, which I heard is just as good and much more personal? I think my pregnancy may just be a bit too complicated, i even baffle the doctors!

bee06

I just specified I wanted to go public to my gp. I didn't specify midwifery led or anything.

Jadie, for my booking appointment at 12 weeks I saw a midwife only and that was a Monday. Then my 18 week appointment was a Tuesday with the consultant. He then said since I wasn't high risk I could have the rest of my appointments in St Finbarrs so my 32 week and 36 week appointments are there on a Friday. In between now and then I'm seeing my GP at 24 weeks and 28 weeks.

Lorindol31

Anyone have recent experience with Public vs Private care in CUMH?
Also any thought on Domino scheme in Cork would be great...

LegacyUser

Lorindol31 wrote: »

Anyone have recent experience with Public vs Private care in CUMH?
Also any thought on Domino scheme in Cork would be great...

Hi Lorindol31, just wondering how you got on and if you went with Domino scheme? Just pregnant on my first and trying to decide public/private/domino. I really like sound of domino scheme but not sure as would also like option of pain relief

bee06

Pregnant2020 wrote: »

Hi Lorindol31, just wondering how you got on and if you went with Domino scheme? Just pregnant on my first and trying to decide public/private/domino. I really like sound of domino scheme but not sure as would also like option of pain relief

I replied on the other thread but you do still have the option of pain relief on the domino scheme. You’ll have gas and air and they’ll give you a pethidine injection as well if you want it. You can still ask for an epidural too but you won’t get the early discharge. In my experience though they will focus on helping you do the things you need to do so that you don’t feel you really need the epidural.

Lorindol31

Pregnant2020 wrote: »

Hi Lorindol31, just wondering how you got on and if you went with Domino scheme? Just pregnant on my first and trying to decide public/private/domino. I really like sound of domino scheme but not sure as would also like option of pain relief

I completely agree with the other reply.
Its a fantastic service. My midwife appointments were held in carrigaline primary health care centre.
I discharged myself the same day as I was anxious to get home. Having the midwives call out to the house was brilliant as well as my partner was there to ask and hear questions unlike in the hospital.
There were no classes though due to covid so I organised a private one virtually.
But the midwives are brilliant and they'll help you through labour. I got the tens machine which was brilliant for labouring at home initially. I also got to use gentle birth app with my health insurance. Would recommended that for breathing techniques and positive affirmations.
Midwives also gave info on things to do/eat to bring on labour naturally. I went a week early as a FTM so I reckon they worked!
I got pethidine and gas/air for Labour, and only had to get 2 small stitches. It's tough and I found myself getting tired near the end but your body just takes over and you'll be thrilled with yourself afterwards.

bee06

I went early as well actually after going 10 days over with my first. I did a lot of spinning babies stuff they recommended which I think helped but who knows on that.