Hi, my insurance only covers general ward, and no semi private or private.

Does anyone know the out of pocket expenses there would be to get a private birth?

Thank you

As far as I know, all birthing (delivery) rooms in Switzerland are private! During your hospital stay, though, you will be offered a place in a double or triple room. I had a c-section two months ago and found the materinty ward most comfortable, even though I was in a double room. Most of the time I had no companion, as the staff did they best to offer everyone a comfort of a single room (except they were overloaded). I can't remember how much did it cost to book a single/family room in the maternity ward, but it was sth around 250 chf per night.

Hi Nikix,

In the CHUV the labour wards are individual (ie when you are actually giving birth, it's just you there), and the maternity wards where you stay for the following 3 or so nights are 2 women per room. You can pay 200chf/night for an individual room during this time, though the availability is not guaranteed, see http://www.chuv.ch/dgo/dgo_home/dgo_...services-2.htm

Even if you only have basic insurance, you still give birth in your own room.

They move you into a shared room later.

I'm not sure that's what you meant but I;m going by the thread title.

Oh okay, sorry everyone.
I was under the impression I would be giving birth in a room with other pregnant ladies (I'm embarrassed now.)

Sorry for wasting everyone's time.

However, is it common to stay in the hospital for more than just the next day?

It is common to stay in the hospital for up to 7 days with a c-section & I think it is 5 for a normal delivery.

" We are not allowed to communicate the average price of delivery in CHUV in common ward (they do provide also private) but you can call them and ask.
They will give you a precise idea. "

The insurance lady makes it seem like delivery isn't alone?

I you know the name of the hospital, perhaps someone here can send you a PM with more specific details of the set-up. (to calm your nerves).

You'll usually get a visit beforehand too.

(Speaking as a husband who's attended two births here).

It will be at the CHUV

I think this has simply been slightly mistranslated from french to english by your insurance lady.

She's referring to the TOTAL cost of your stay in hospital for a delivery in the common/general ward, not the act of delivery.
The delivery itself will definitely take place in a 'private' room, it's the days spent in hospital afterwards that will be in a 1, 2, or 4 bed-room, depending on your insurance level.
But most maternity wards are two-bed these days, and the staff do try to keep the second bed empty for at least the first night after delivery, to allow you to rest. After that it will depend on how busy they are.

She means that it's possible to up-grade to a 'private' room for the recovery period, but that you need to ask the hospital directly for their costs as these vary from place to place.

For the CHUV you can try and reserve a private room after the birth, but you have to pay up front. I think when I gave birth last year, it was 600 francs for minimum 4 nights. But if you leave before the minimum, you don't get any money back (this is Switzerland!) I'm not sure they are guaranteed and you need to do that as early as possible.

Did you have your appointment at the CHUV with a midwife? Depending on who your OB/GYN is, you will need to go to the CHUV anyway 1 month before the birth for a checkup with a midwife because I don't think your OB/GYN will perform the delivery at the CHUV. Normally before the birth, your OB/GYN will send all your papers directly to the CHUV and the last month of your pregnancy will be controlled directly by a midwife at the CHUV. You should be able to see the birthing rooms at that time as well.

I gave birth at the CHUV twice, and I can assure you that your delivery room is private

In the common ward you share your room with another mommy and her baby. But if you're lucky and the maternity ward is not crowded, you can be alone! That was my case for my daughter's birth.

With a basic insurance, you can be hospitalised in the private ward of the CHUV providing you pay an additional 200.-/night from your own pocket. Honestly, if you can afford it I'd really recommend you to do that: you can benefit from the excellent specialised care from the CHUV, while being able to bond quietly with your baby.

The OP has a 45 grand engagement ring, I'm sure 1'500 for her own room will be no problem....