I've been reading, with great interest, the posts about steak dinners for two and champagne after childbirth, baby clothes being provided by the hospital and private rooms in which husbands can stay..... I know that the facilities differ between hospitals in the States and you don't all get all these extras but it still blows my mind! It sounds so lovely!

I've also been reading, with abject horror, about medical insurance policies and that fact that it's not unusual in the States to come out of hospital with a baby and a huge bill for things your insurance hasn't covered! OMG!

It couldn't be more different in the UK. Everything is free (paid for by tax). You need an intervention - free. You need to stay for a few days - free. You need to be transferred to another hospital - free. It is impossible to run up a bill in an NHS hospital (if you're a British citizen).

The standard of medical care is excellent - but the "experience" part isn't too good!!! After you have given birth, they take you to a ward with a number of other mums and their babies. Babies cry and staff come and go to everyone all through the night. They will draw a curtain round you if they want to examine you but everyone can hear everything. Visitors are only allowed between 6.30pm and 8pm - and only two at a time! And yes, that includes dad! During labour (and the induction process, which could take days) they only provide meals for mum - dad has to bring his own food. There are no special dinners after childbirth - and if you've missed dinner time (because you were pushing, say) you have to hope they will find a sandwich for you. You don't get "your own" midwife/OB to deliver your baby - you get whoever is on shift and it's usually someone you've never met. Midwives look after several woman at once. Nothing is provided for baby - you have to bring your own clothes, blankets, nappies... and unless you were planning to breastfeed and it's a medical emergency to give formula immediately, they wont give you any, you have to send your partner out to buy you some during those precious 90 mins he's allowed to visit each day.

Of course, there are private hospitals here which we can pay to use but it's expensive and, as we are already paying for the NHS, most people don't go private. I'm dreading going to hospital and being left on my own with a brand new baby, in a room full of other women. BUT I think I prefer that to the idea of receiving a bill for thousands after the event.....!

So the question is - what would you rather?? A private room in which your partner can stay and a steak dinner, baby clothes provided - and a possible bill? Or a free experience - but you only get what you absolutely NEED and none of the extras?