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@pui: my hospital only had private rooms, so I didn't have a choice. I was grateful for the privacy though.

My husband stayed all three nights with our first child. It was great to have his help. I had a c-section and couldn't get out of bed the first night. I was slow the second night, and still needed his help.

This time, he will stay the first night and sleep at home the second two nights with our oldest. I plan on sending baby to the nursery at night.

All of the rooms at the hospital where I delivered were private rooms. I definitely think that it is worth paying for. I loved having DH there with me, not only for comfort and help, but also because of the experience.

The hospital I delivered at only offers private rooms. Much appreciated!

We also only had the option of private rooms. I definitely would pay for it if its reasonable to do so in your situation.

The hospital where I delivered only had private rooms, so that's what I had. I think most hospitals in my area only have private rooms, actually. I think I would splurge for the private room because the last thing you want when you are exhausted and already getting woken up by your own baby and the nurse (to take vitals) is to be woken up by your roommate's crying baby.

Like @SSLM said you could pay the difference if your insurance pays for semi-private. That is what I had planned but my insurance coverage changed and they didn't cover any hospital stay above ward so that's what I went with. I ended up getting a semi-private because all the ward rooms were full.
Next time I think I will request a private room and budget the money for it because it was hard to share such a small space at a very vulnerable time.

@LuLu Mom: I don't think you are naive. In my area all new hospitals have private rooms. It's the older hospitals that still have wards/semi-private rooms.

it's a personal preference. i would have paid the $550 for the private room. i was there for 2 nights. but my husband and i are pretty antisocial! i did want my husband there with me overnight, but again it's personal preference.

I had a shared room in the US. The hospital isn't old but I know my HMO is only building private rooms going forward. I feared getting a roomie any moment duting my stay but I didn't get one. 4 hours in a triple in traige was bad enough. I would have survived a roomie but it would have been worth my money for private.

My hospital only has private rooms, but even if there was an option, I would have definitely wanted a private room. It was also important to us that DH stayed in the room overnight.

My hospital only had private rooms, but I think it would be worth the money if your budget allows. Some of my sweetest memories are that first night with DH and DD in our room. If the babies are all in the nursery in your hospital, than it might matter less. If DH can't stay anyway and you're planning to have the baby in the nursery, I'd just stay in the ward.

Honestly? I'd switch to a hospital that only has private rooms, or at the very least can guarantee you can get one even if it costs extra. This was a non-negotiable for me.

Does baby room in with you or are they in a nursery? I can't imagine trying to share a room with another woman + baby. Nobody would get any sleep.

Our hospital only had private rooms so that is what we did.

PS. This is why healthcare in America is expensive. Private rooms being so common and all.

There were only private rooms at my hospital. I definitely would have paid to have one though. There's now way I would have been ok with DH leaving at night. And also just for privacy.

we got a private room (at the hospital we used, worst case scenario was to share a semi-private if they were really busy). luckily it wasn't busy so we got a semi-private to ourselves, which meant DH had a real bed!
I would totally pay for it, especially since you just don't know how you will be feeling after the birth. the bathroom thing . . . it was like a crime scene just from me. can't imagine others in there too. also I don't know what the visitor policy is but that could be really annoying if others are loud. my DH was there one night and home one night, but it was so nice to have the option if I had felt like I needed both nights. I think there are many reasons it could be worth having your own space.

We got a private post-birth room. It is first come first serve, but they usually prioritize based on how bad the birth was. I guess i was lucky to have a hard birth. We only paid $80 out of pocket, and it was worth it. I shared a queen sized bed with DH, LO was in our room as opposed to the nursery, we had our own bathroom and everything. We may have thought twice if the cost was going to be $550 though. I'm surprised the cost is so high?

ETA: I think if you factor in the fact that you don't pay insurance, i'd be willing to shell out the $550.

@pui: I think you have to make the distinction...because you have a lot of Americans on the site and things are different here.

My hospital only had private rooms, but I can't imagine not having one. I pretty much spent the entire 4 days with my boobs out, lying around in those mesh panties. I'd have been miserable if I had to share.

If given the option, I'd spend the extra $$.