Is a private or semi-private room worth the money?

sherbear82 · April 2015

My husband and I don't have insurance, and in Canada the government pays for a four-bed ward. The semi-private and private rooms are $290+. Is it worth the price?

PerkinsFam3 · April 2015

We got the standard one hospital bed type, with a couch for my husband. And that was an upgrade compared to the chair he had to sleep with baby #1. We are paying for the upgrade this time.

sailorgal · April 2015

Yes totally worth it! Our hospital had 6 beds on average which could have up to 8 babies with twins allowed. Unfortunately with my first child, we ended up staying in the hospital longer than average so it got pricey but we asked for a private and there were none available, only semi-privates and it was horrible enough for me. I had a really awful roommate (3rd time know it all mom who was pissed about anything and everything)...which did not help with recovery and then when a private finally became available, we were out of there the next day. I attribute it somewhat to being able to just relax and rest a bit. Also I had the part closest to the door and she had the curtains and natural light which added to it being so awful. I hated being in the dark area. Anyways you could probably get a great roommate in a semi-private but I think 4 person is too many!

And you can claim what you pay in hospital stuff on your next tax return.

monicaP · April 2015

I have only had private in the past but I understand the cost consideration. We just got the hospital bill from my daughters tonsillectomy and our 15% co insurance added up really quickly. Is it possible to start in the four bed and request a move if it is intolerable? When DD2 was born we were the only family in the maternity floor for almost a full day and during our stay there were never more than three of us on the floor, so paying for the private room was actually unnecessary.

FinalyFound · April 2015

I would say go for at least a semi-private. September tends to be a busy month for births so the likelihood of you ending up with a private or semi-private due to lack of patients is unlikely. When I had DD, it was in February (lowest birth month) so I was lucky to end up not having a roommate during our hospital stay. With just my DD there was already very little sleep going on so I was thankful for the moments I did get, I can't imagine throwing another patient (or 3) in the mix. I already told DH I'll be reserving a private room for us.

nursekatie47 · April 2015

Semi private sucked when I gave birth to my daughter. Luckily we have private coverage now, but I hope to have this baby at home and skip that whole mess all together.

jen83mn · April 2015

Wow, I couldn't imagine having to share a room with three other moms, babies, and visitors! Here in the U.S. at the hospital where I'm giving birth all the rooms are private. If they weren't, I would definitely pay for the private room, but I just know I wouldn't do well with having to deal with other people, especially as a FTM!

Liberty1025 · April 2015

jen83mn said:
Wow, I couldn't imagine having to share a room with three other moms, babies, and visitors! Here in the U.S. at the hospital where I'm giving birth all the rooms are private. If they weren't, I would definitely pay for the private room, but I just know I wouldn't do well with having to deal with other people, especially as a FTM!

This. If I wasn't already against socialized healthcare, this got me there. 4 in a room with boobs flying everywhere and bloody pads/sheets/etc? NO THANK YOU. My plan may cost an arm and a leg, but I didn't have to worry about strangers all up in my face.

ForeverEverAfter · April 2015

Also in Canada, I have semiprivate covered by insurance, and paid the extra for private, and it was totally worth it! I had DH stay over the first night (that wasn't allowed in shared rooms, though he could visit at any hour). This time around I want the extra space for my toddler to visit and some quiet for extra sleep. With shared rooms there's always one baby crying, plus the bathroom line up/mess and tight space... worth the splurge!

cjstats87 · April 2015

I never knew! Only have private rooms on L&D at my hospital...I'd pay for the private! It is worth it to me to be away from other laboring/postpartum women!

Melzig76 · April 2015

Yes!! I had a private room for DS and it was wonderful. I had a shared room for DD and though it stayed open, the possibility of having someone else in the room with us made me squirm. It's hard enough to adjust with baby, I can't imagine with someone else in the room.

JenLovesDesign · April 2015

I'm in the US, and I also frequent a pregnancy board from England. I've always been pro socialized healthcare, however after seeing the difference between their care and mine, mine is definitely the one I would pick. The main differences I saw were that they don't get to pick their midwife or hospital, the Maternit21/harmony tests are extra and not covered, and when some of the girls had issues, they were not given comprehensive care like we get here. So on the side of the US, everything and everything is done and charged back to insurance companies mostly (costing more overall), the care that the English receive is very regulated. No one gets extra unless necessary. My only experience is through the forum so I might not be completely accurate, I'm definitely glad Im in the US.

myspecialkid · April 2015

I would definitely pay for private if you can afford it.

SLang2 · April 2015

Totally worth it!!! I have had 2 c-sections so having Private was really nice, with the extended stay. But even after a regular birth I can't imagine staying in a ward room. Babies crying on different schedules, waking each other up. Other adults trying to sleep and possibly snore, I don't think I would ever get any sleep. My SIL had a ward room following a c-section and she said it was absolutely awful, she barely slept the whole time.

Taekarate1978 · April 2015

I'm glad our hospitals only have private rooms! I would say it is worth the extra cost.

str13 · April 2015

I would pay the extra myself. Once we had a private and the next a semiprivate, but they told DH to sleep in the bed if he wanted because they had enough room not to put moms together. I can't imagine having to be in a room with another mom after everything we go through giving birth, then I had trouble getting DD1 and DD2 to nurse, it was nice to cry in peace for a second and collect myself!!

I didn't even think about the bathroom situation though until @ForeverEverAfter mentioned it! I had stitches from tearing and was taking my time in the bathroom. Plus pads and the disposable panties. I had PPD with DD1 and some with DD2, so I made myself take a shower at least everyday. That would be a nice perk of being in the room by yourself.

misty15schu · April 2015

We also chose to pay for the private. It ended up working well for us because our son was born early and went straight to the NICU at the children's hospital next door. I spent the next 6 days in the hospital and it would have been devastating to be in a room with a mom who had her baby with her. My husband stayed with me the whole time and we were able to shut the door when hearing crying babies became too painful. After two weeks our little guy rebounded and is now 5 and doing awesome

But we definitely will go the private room route with our new little one

Mufflerlove · April 2015

Luckily my hospital is a small town so I had private because that's the only option. I didn't realize most hospitals weren't all private until after my first birth. I would most definitely pay. Then your hubby can stay with you. I don't imagine you would get any rest with other people and babies in the room.

Mousemama · April 2015

If you can afford to pay for a private room, go for it. The hospital where I had my son had single rooms and I really enjoyed the privacy.

adtaylor2015 · April 2015

I'm so glad all of the rooms are private at the hospital I'm delivering. Otherwise I would definitely pay $$ to upgrade.

xJKxOR · April 2015

I think it depends on where you live/what hospital you pick. I live in manitoba, canada and both the hospital in the community I grew up in and the one I live in now only have private room options on their maternity ward.

bpv101283 · April 2015

For $290 I would pay that to get a private room. In the US my Tyco employer insurance is $320 a month so I would gladly take the Canadian way to pay a bit for an upgrade and rest be free. Give me a break, there is nothing superior about the US and health care. Ugh.

bethhart66 · April 2015

At my hospital they only offer private rooms with toileting area but every 4 rooms share a shower. I could not imagine sharing a room with anyone else. I am a very neat person and sometimes sharing with DH is too much.

ccook83 · April 2015

I also live in Canada but the hospital where I live only has private rooms so that's a non issue for me, we also have our own private bathroom with shower, and a soaker tub! That being said if we did not have one I would 100% spring for the private room totally worth it. When my SIL had her babies the new hospital was still under construction so she had to share with three other ladies I can't imagine having to do that!

Knottie96229960 · April 2015

I believe it's completely up to u. I've experienced both settings. If u share you have to worry about there visitors, or crying babies. If ur inexperienced, you may come across mom's you can relate to and help eachother. I personally like my own room, private. No sharing bathrooms, no one complaining about visitors. It's just nice and if u need help there's always a call button. I choose private of sharing any day...

mmd091909 · April 2015

If you can afford the cost I would definitely pay for a private room. After birth is not a time that I would want to share a hospital room.

lisadoninelli · April 2015

I definitely think it's worth paying the extra. The hospital where I had my son and will be having this one only has private labor/delivery rooms and private mommy/baby rooms. I couldn't imagine sharing a room during such an intimate time of birthing and bonding with baby.

sherbear82 · April 2015

Thanks everyone!

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