Concierge obstetrics · London
Caesarean section, by a consultant obstetrician you’ve met before theatre.
A planned or emergency caesarean led by a named consultant obstetrician and anaesthetist — with elective, VBAC and category-based emergency options all discussed openly before you decide.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A consultant obstetrician on your case
Not a rotating registrar and not a first-on-call. A named consultant obstetrician, a proper theatre team, and a plan you’ve agreed together.
- 02
Elective, VBAC and emergency — all discussed
Planned caesarean, vaginal birth after caesarean, or an unplanned in-labour section: we walk through each honestly, before you decide.
- 03
Independent, and free
We’re paid by no hospital, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private caesarean costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner hospitals. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A planned elective caesarean in our network: £8,500–£15,000, discharge in 24–48 hours.
| Pathway | Indicative range | Time in theatre | Typical stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elective (planned) caesarean — package | £8,500–£15,000 | 45–60 min in theatre | 24–48 hr stay |
| Emergency in-labour caesarean | £10,000–£18,000 | Category-dependent | 48–72 hr stay |
| VBAC birth pathway (consultant-led) | £9,000–£16,000 | Labour-dependent | 24–48 hr stay |
| Anaesthetist fee (spinal / epidural) | £800–£1,500 | 20 min set-up | Same visit |
| General anaesthetic supplement | £600–£1,200 | 10 min induction | Same visit |
| Consultant antenatal consultation | £250–£500 | 45 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by hospital, by consultant, by anaesthetic route, and by how the labour or theatre time unfolds on the day. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right consultant, the right plan, the right conversation about VBAC.
Caesarean birth is often booked in a rush, defaulted after one previous section, or handed to whichever team is on. We fix all three before you commit to a plan.
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Not sure elective is right?
For many women a planned VBAC succeeds and avoids repeat surgery. We help you weigh it honestly.
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Worried about the anaesthetic?
Spinal, epidural top-up or GA — chosen with a consultant obstetric anaesthetist, not booked in blind.
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Want continuity of care?
A named consultant obstetrician from booking through delivery to postnatal debrief — including for a category 1 or 2 section.
The pathway
From enquiry to postnatal review — what happens, in order.
One named consultant from first message through delivery to the six-week check — including the debrief if it becomes an emergency.
Phase 1 · Before your delivery
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
Admission, theatre and first hours
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us what’s going on
A short, confidential form. Weeks pregnant, previous births, any obstetric issues, and whether you’re considering elective, VBAC or awaiting a decision in labour.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: the right consultant, the right hospital, an anaesthetic plan, and an indicative price. If a planned VBAC is safer for you, we say so.
- 03
Before
We arrange the appointment
Antenatal review with the obstetrician and anaesthetist. Bloods, group-and-save and MRSA screen are booked. You’re told exactly how to prepare.
- 04
On the day
Arrival at the hospital
Admission, final consent, and a chat with the obstetrician, anaesthetist and midwife. Spinal, epidural top-up or GA — whichever was agreed.
- 05
On the day
The caesarean itself
A transverse lower-uterine incision. Baby usually delivered within 10 minutes of skin, then careful closure of uterus and layers. Skin-to-skin in theatre where possible.
- 06
On the day
Recovery and the first hours
Two to four hours in recovery, then the postnatal ward. Feeding started early. Enhanced recovery: eat, drink and mobilise the same day.
- 07
After
Discharge and review
Home at 24–48 hours if all is well. Wound reviewed at day 5–7, six-week postnatal check with the consultant, and a debrief if it was an emergency.
Typical booking window: from 34–36 weeks for an elective case. Full postnatal recovery: around 6 weeks.
When it helps
When a caesarean is the right decision.
The situations we see most, plus the one red flag that means Labour Ward now rather than a clinic slot.
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Breech or transverse lie
Baby is bottom-first or lying sideways at term — a planned caesarean is usually the safer route.
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Placenta praevia
The placenta covers the cervix. Vaginal birth isn’t safe — an elective caesarean is planned around 37–38 weeks.
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Previous caesarean
One or more prior sections. We discuss elective repeat versus a planned VBAC honestly, with your history.
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Failure to progress in labour
Labour has stopped or is very slow despite time and support — an in-labour section may be advised.
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Fetal distress
Baby’s heart-rate pattern is worrying on monitoring — a category 1 or 2 caesarean may be needed quickly.
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Maternal request
A planned caesarean chosen after a full discussion of risks and benefits — a valid option in UK practice.
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Twins or higher-order pregnancy
Non-cephalic first twin, monoamniotic twins or triplets — a caesarean is usually the safer plan.
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Red flag: heavy bleeding in pregnancy
Fresh, painless bleeding in the third trimester — call Labour Ward immediately, don’t wait for a clinic slot.
Options & anaesthesia
Not every caesarean looks the same.
The RCOG category system, and the anaesthetic choices behind it — what each really means in the room.
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Elective caesarean (planned)
Booked around 39 weeks for a defined indication. Calm, controlled, spinal anaesthetic in most cases, partner in theatre.
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Category 4 (planned, non-urgent)
The formal RCOG label for a planned caesarean at a time to suit mother and team. No time pressure.
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Category 3 (needed, not urgent)
Delivery needed but no immediate threat — arranged within hours. Spinal or epidural top-up is usual.
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Category 2 (urgent)
Maternal or fetal compromise that isn’t immediately life-threatening. Aim for decision-to-delivery within 60–75 minutes.
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Category 1 (emergency)
Immediate threat to mother or baby. Decision-to-delivery target of 30 minutes; often GA if there’s no working epidural.
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Spinal anaesthetic
A single injection into the lower back. Numb from the chest down, awake and alert, partner present.
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Epidural top-up
If you already have an epidural for labour, it can be topped up for the caesarean — avoiding a fresh spinal.
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General anaesthetic
Reserved for true emergencies, contraindications to regional anaesthesia, or patient preference in specific cases.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of obstetricians, we picked them.
Consultant obstetricians across central London’s private maternity units. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your pregnancy.
Selection criteria
How we choose every obstetrician in our network.
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Consultant obstetricians on the RCOG specialist register, not trainees
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Consultant obstetric anaesthetist for every case
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VBAC and elective repeat caesarean discussed openly, not defaulted
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Enhanced recovery after caesarean (ERAC) pathway used as standard
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards — honestly.
A modern caesarean under enhanced recovery is safe and predictable. The things worth planning are your anaesthetic choice, VTE prevention, and knowing which symptoms need a phone call after you’re home.
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Spinal is the default anaesthetic
For most planned and many emergency caesareans, a spinal is safer than a GA — awake, alert, partner in theatre with you.
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Enhanced recovery is now standard
Eating, drinking, catheter out and mobilising within hours. It reduces VTE risk and gets you home sooner.
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VTE prevention matters
Pregnancy and caesarean both raise clot risk. Expect stockings, early mobilisation and often low-molecular-weight heparin injections for 10 days.
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Wound care for the first two weeks
Keep the wound clean and dry, watch for redness or discharge, and don’t soak in a bath until it’s fully healed.
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No driving for one to six weeks
You need to be able to do an emergency stop without pain and check your insurer’s wording — most women wait 4–6 weeks.
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Lifting and exercise build back gradually
Nothing heavier than the baby for two weeks. Gentle walking from day one; return to running or heavy lifting by 12 weeks.
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VBAC is a real option for many
After one uncomplicated caesarean, planned VBAC succeeds in about 70–75%. Uterine rupture risk is low (~0.5%) but must be discussed.
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Future pregnancies need a plan
Repeat caesareans raise the risk of placenta accreta and adhesions. Space pregnancies and flag your history early.
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Red flags
Heavy fresh bleeding, one-sided calf pain or swelling, breathlessness, fever, spreading wound redness or foul discharge — call Labour Ward or 999.
Red flags after caesarean — call Labour Ward or 999
- · Post-op sepsis (fever, rigors, feeling very unwell)
- · Post-partum haemorrhage (heavy fresh bleeding)
- · VTE — one-sided calf pain, sudden breathlessness
- · Wound dehiscence (wound opening or gaping)
- · Endometritis — fever, foul lochia, tender uterus
- · Uterine rupture in a VBAC labour
- · Placenta accreta in a future pregnancy
- · Postnatal depression or persistent low mood
- · Breastfeeding difficulty that isn’t settling
Reading your operation note
Your caesarean note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whether it was an elective or an emergency, the operation note keeps to the same shape — and matters for every future pregnancy.
A quiet reminder
Obstetric language is precise and can read coldly — we translate it for you.
If you’d like us to talk you through the note before your six-week review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and category
Why the caesarean was done — elective for breech, category 2 for fetal distress, and so on — and by whom.
- 02 Technique
Anaesthetic and surgical technique
Spinal, epidural top-up or GA; transverse lower-uterine incision; blood loss; any additional procedures (adhesiolysis, sterilisation if consented).
- 03 Findings
Baby, placenta and any intra-operative notes
Baby’s condition and Apgar scores, placental site and appearance, cord gases if taken, and anything found in the abdomen.
- 04 Impression
Recovery plan and future-pregnancy advice
Read this first: analgesia, VTE prophylaxis, wound care, follow-up, and the specific advice for any future pregnancy or VBAC.
Sources & guidelines
The clinical guidance behind this page.
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Green-top guidelines — caesarean section, VBAC and placenta praevia.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. NICE CG132: Caesarean birth.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice bulletins on caesarean delivery and VBAC.
- World Health Organization. Statement on caesarean section rates and appropriate use.
Reviewed by Pulse Atlas Editorial Board (). Published 2026-07-30, next review 2027-07-30. Reading time ~8 min.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for private maternity and caesarean birth varies by insurer and policy — routine maternity is often excluded, medically indicated caesareans are sometimes covered. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about caesarean birth.
Quick answers on category 1–4, anaesthesia, VBAC, recovery and future pregnancies.
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What’s the difference between an elective and an emergency caesarean?
An elective (planned) caesarean is booked in advance for a defined indication — commonly breech, placenta praevia, previous caesarean or maternal request — usually at 39 weeks under spinal anaesthetic. An emergency caesarean is decided in labour or in pregnancy when mother or baby needs delivery sooner than planned, and is classified as category 1, 2 or 3 by urgency.
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What do the RCOG caesarean categories 1–4 actually mean?
Category 1 is an immediate threat to life — target decision-to-delivery within 30 minutes. Category 2 is maternal or fetal compromise that isn’t immediately life-threatening — target 60–75 minutes. Category 3 needs delivery but neither mother nor baby is compromised. Category 4 is a fully planned procedure at a time to suit mother and team.
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What anaesthetic will I have?
For most caesareans it’s a spinal — a single injection in the lower back that numbs you from the chest down while you stay awake and your partner is with you. If you already have an epidural running for labour, it’s usually topped up. A general anaesthetic is reserved for true emergencies, contraindications to a spinal or specific preference.
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How much does a private caesarean cost in London?
A planned elective caesarean package is typically £8,500–£15,000, and an in-labour emergency section £10,000–£18,000, both including consultant obstetrician, anaesthetist, theatre and a 24–48 hour stay. VBAC pathways cost £9,000–£16,000 depending on how the labour unfolds. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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Can I have a vaginal birth after a caesarean (VBAC)?
For many women, yes. After one uncomplicated lower-segment caesarean, a planned VBAC succeeds in around 70–75% of cases. The main risk to weigh is uterine scar rupture — around 0.5% — which is why VBAC is planned in a consultant-led unit with continuous monitoring in labour.
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How long does recovery from a caesarean take?
Most women are home at 24–48 hours and comfortable moving around the house by the end of the first week. The wound feels much better by two weeks, but full internal healing takes six weeks. Driving usually resumes at 4–6 weeks and heavier exercise around 12 weeks.
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What are the main complications of a caesarean?
Wound infection or endometritis (uterine lining infection), post-partum haemorrhage, venous thromboembolism (DVT or PE), bladder or bowel injury (rare), and adhesions in future pregnancies. Serious complications are uncommon, and modern care — antibiotics, VTE prophylaxis and enhanced recovery — reduces them further.
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Does a caesarean affect future pregnancies?
Yes, in ways worth planning around. Each subsequent caesarean carries a slightly higher risk of placenta praevia and placenta accreta (where the placenta grows abnormally into the scar), plus more intra-abdominal adhesions. We recommend spacing pregnancies at least 12–18 months and flagging your caesarean history at booking.
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Will I be able to breastfeed after a caesarean?
Yes. Milk supply can take a little longer to establish than after a vaginal birth, but skin-to-skin in theatre, early feeding on the ward, and dedicated midwifery support usually get feeding going well within a few days.
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When should I call Labour Ward urgently after going home?
Heavy fresh bleeding soaking a pad in under an hour, one-sided calf pain or swelling, sudden breathlessness or chest pain, a fever above 38 °C, spreading redness or foul-smelling discharge from the wound, or persistent low mood and tearfulness — all warrant an urgent call to Labour Ward or 999.
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In practice, in London
The honest picture around caesarean section in London
For caesarean section, the private London route is mostly about consultant fit and hospital choice rather than raw waiting time. The NHS route for caesarean section is thorough, but the queue is real. Most patients we speak with have been told to expect anywhere from a handful of weeks to several months, depending on their local trust and how the referral is graded. Going private in London usually collapses that window to a matter of days — often the same week if the diary allows. It isn’t about jumping a queue so much as buying time back while you still have the flexibility to plan around it.
In practice, a private caesarean section appointment in London means a named consultant, a proper hour in the room (or the equivalent on a video call), and a report you can actually read. Most of the imaging suites and endoscopy units we use sit within a mile of Harley Street or in Chelsea and Fulham, and turnaround on findings is measured in days, not weeks. For caesarean section in particular, we bias towards consultants who do this every week rather than every month.
Fit matters more than people expect. For caesarean section, the right consultant depends on what you actually need — a second opinion, a definitive diagnosis, a bridge into treatment, or reassurance that nothing’s being missed. We match on that, not on who has the biggest brochure. If a test isn’t the right next step, we’ll say so before you book anything.