Portland or Lindo Wing for Christmas CSection birth

[CupcakeChica]

Hi all,

I'm looking for some opinions/advice/insights to help me make a decision on which of these 2 hospital to choose to have my baby who's due around Christmas. It will be my 3rd CS (1st was an emergency CS (NHS) after 18 hours in labour and 2nd was an elective CS (Portland).

I'm currently booked at the Lindo because I really had to make a choice, but I have until early next week to switch without incurring any fees.

My amazing consultant works in both hospitals and so is flexible in terms of whichever I end up choosing.

My 2nd birth at the Portland was lovely. No complaints really. With that, I initially tried booking at the Lindo however there was no availability, hence ended up at Portland. Now that I have to do it again I'm very confused especially having read a few reviews both for and against both hospitals.

Also worried about Covid concerns, after care, midwife care - read a very negative Lindo midwife review - :( and whether I'll be able to have hubby with me. as at now both hospitals will allow a birth partner. I know Lindo wasn't allowing partners earlier on in the year...this has changed 'for now' it seems. Worried of what could happen by Christmas and staffing over the holidays. Just all round anxious :(

Will be grateful to receive all comments/opinions to help me in this decision.

Thanks xx

[Cocomarine]

Why are you even considering Lindo if you have personal experience that Portland was “lovely”? You haven’t given any reason here why you’d pick Lindo instead.

[nosswith]

One should consult with the mother of one's third, fourth and fifth line of the Royal Succession about this, as one's Royal Children were born in the Lindo wing, including the second in line to the throne.

(I was born elsewhere in the hospital as my mum worked there!)

[CommunistLegoBloc]

After reading about and hearing about how unprepared and inept the Portland is for any neonatal distress and need for NICU intervention, I'd personally be moseying back to the NHS. Nice rooms and a cream tea ain't worth that risk...

[CupcakeChica]

@Cocomarine I think it’s because the Lindo was my first choice for having my daughter (being attached to an NHS hospital etc) a couple of years ago. When there was no availability there, I went to the Portland. You’re absolutely right, returning to the Portland should be a foregone conclusion because my experience there was a positive one.

It’s just that I’ve read quite a few reviews that mention the absence of a full functioning intensive care facility at the Portland. They do have an adult high dependency unit. I’ve googled the difference between an AHDU and and ICU but it’s all still a bit abstract to me. Does anyone know if the difference matters greatly? By the way, I’ve also read not so great feedback about the Lindo

@nosswith I should really consult with the said individuals should I really

@CommunistLegoBloc According to the Portland there is a NICU onsite for babies born after 32 weeks. (I’m starting week 30 today.) I have read a lot of comments about the Portland not having an on-site NICU though. Maybe this is from a long time ago...

What do you think of this....
www.privatepregnancy.co.uk/information-and-guides/useful-articles/how-safe-are-private-maternity-hospitals/

Really appreciate all the responses and happy to receive further insights or perspectives.

Many thanks

[JanewaysBun]

Hmmm
I would on balance go for the place you had a good experience before.
I don't have experience of the lindo but know lots of positive experiences from the Portland/had some treatment there.

Although the lack of adult icu is something to consider but maybe less risk with a c section?

[CupcakeChica]

Thanks @JanewaysBun I completely got that

[SapatSea]

Does your consultant have any thoughts on it for your sepcific needs? since he uses both.

[LabiaMinoraPissusFlapus]

Having had experience of both I would not bother with paying for the arse licking, go with the NHS, and buy a Boodles ring with the savings. Elective sections on the NHS are far better than emergency ones.

[rebeccacntu]

I just booked at lindo wing and will give birth in early November. Hope it will be a good experience as for Portland the only thing I am concerned about is the NICU charge

[Phoebesgift]

If anything goes wrong you and your baby will be safer in an NHS hospital.

[Missandra]

I had my first two at the Portland and my third on the NHS. There was honestly no difference in the level and quality of my care. I incorrectly believed that by going private I was buying a better experience, I was very wrong.

[MrsPatrickDempsey]

The lack of an icu would really bother me. Agree what pps have said about elective CS in the NHS.

[lboogy]

How much is it to have a c section at the Lindo wing?I saw £30k quoted somewhere once but didn't believe it could be real

I had a c section on the nhs but had recovery in a private room. £650 for 2 days stay. I'd do it again too

[CupcakeChica]

Thanks ladies for your comments. All very much appreciated and will in some way influence my decision I believe. Sleeping on it one more night and then I decide tomorrow

[ikeairgin]

I had two c/s's and I chose a smaller closer to home on for the second - w/o realising that there wasn't an nicu on site.

I was high risk but my baby wasn't supposed to be - so the outcome was that he ended up 10 miles away from me - having had to be transferred.

When anyone asks me - I say IME if you are planning to be in hospital then go for the one with all the facilities, otherwise you may as well have a homebirth - but that's just my opinion.

[fancytiles]

Which one did you chose? I delivered at the lindo last December and thought it was good aside from the odd bitchy midwife. I was thinking Portland for next time

[CupcakeChica]

@fancytiles

I chose the Portland in the end.

My choice was based on these:

• being classified as low risk
  
• high dependency unit available on site for mothers at the Portland
  
• my previous positive experience at the Portland
  

Only downside - if I can count it as one at all - is the additional cost of care for baby in NICU if required.

However I’m being super positive and so that is not a scenario that I’m thinking about (fingers firmly crossed!)

[Verite1]

I had 2 births at Lindo and would highly recommend it.

[fancytiles]

@CupcakeChica I'm sure you can't go wrong with your choice but sounds like a logical decision :)
I am sure you won't need the NICU.
Do report back and tell us how it went! And congrats!

[Hm2020]

I looked in to this extensively Portland definitely does have some kind of nicu

[CupcakeChica]

@Hm2020
Yes there is a NICU on site at the Portland. However it is not provided as part of the delivery package. So you do end up having to pay extra should you require the NICU.

[L4UX]

How did you get on in the end?
I’m currently trying to choose between the Portland and lindo wing.

[L4UX]

How was your experience at the Portland? I'm due for an elective c section in august there x

[sakura1982]

I’m looking at the planned c section at The Portland. They told me that included in package there’s one night for the baby in NICU if other nights needed then £4K a night. The anaesthetist charge is from the anaesthetist fully who will be arranged by my consultant, The Portland does not charge for the spinal block drug it’s with a consultant fees. The ratio midwife to patient is 1:4 but they have also nurses. They don’t use agency staff only bank staff that is on their books. Could anyone with the recent experience of The Portland Hospital let me know if that is true? Another private wing told me that on top The Portland is charging for needles and tapes and vials when they are taking blood or giving IV bag. Is that really true? Portland told me oral pain relief medicine and any routine med like heparin injections are included in the care while staying in The Portland, I don’t know if needles are then on top and the person drawing the blood too?
I would appreciate if anyone could help me.
Planned c section on nhs - it’s impossible to pick the surgeon (their skills do matter), Anaesthetist ( maybe a junior doctor), there may be a long wait for the surgery, due to covid no private rooms available and the wing may not have space so I m not so thrilled to stay in a 6 beds bay after a c section without my husband because of Covid.
Many thanks!

[osbertthesyrianhamster]

Planned c section on nhs - it’s impossible to pick the surgeon (their skills do matter), Anaesthetist ( maybe a junior doctor), there may be a long wait for the surgery, due to covid no private rooms available and the wing may not have space so I m not so thrilled to stay in a 6 beds bay after a c section without my husband because of Covid.
Many thanks!

Absolutely! Can't believe anyone would chose an NHS one if they don't have to. Fuck that.