Choosing a consultant - Portland Hospital

[CooPie10]

Hi mners. Can anyone assist or provide any experiences of Consultants at the Portland Hospital. We have chosen this hospital and are waiting for the Maternity Advisor to give us a ring. Has anyone delivered at this hospital and had a good consultant to recommend? Thanks.

[CooPie10]

Bump

[seven201]

Isn't Portland in America? Sorry if there's one in England too!

[CooPie10]

It's the Portland hospital for Women and Children in UKGreat Portland Street.

[Rufus200]

I have just had my baby last week at the Portland and seriously would NOT recommend it!!!

It took them 7hrs of DH holding baby to get a cot for him as they had none spare! It took my mum standing at the nurses station and literally having a melt down to get the cot. They had so many women having babies the midwives were run ragged. I saw 6 different midwives on the day of my c-section because my allocated midwife was too busy to even put her head round the door. None of them would help as I wasn't their allocated patient! I had a basic room as there were no rooms available to upgrade to. I had to climb over the side of the bath with my c-section incision so I could have a shower. The midwife had to forcibly lift my leg up as I couldn't take the pain of lifting it myself. My consultant refused to come and see me on my 2nd night even though I was seriously ill, the night Dr didn't take me seriously the 1st time he saw me, fast forward 1 hour and he was taking my projectile vomiting with c-section wound very seriously. He did actually apologise to me the next day for not taking better care of me to begin with! I'm still cross with my consultant, I paid £8K for her to look after me and she couldn't be bothered to disturb her evening.

I spent £20k+ in total on my c-section and care at the Portland and I would have seriously been better off on the NHS! I am in the process of writing a major complaint to them.

Someone else I know has just had their twins at the Lindo Wing in St Mary's and they said it was like a 5* hotel for the same money!

[MrsFlorrick]

Coo. I had DS there in 2011. It was excellent.

At 36 weeks I went into labour and spent 4 days in there - DS didn't arrive, he decided to stay put for another 4 weeks

And after he did arrive, we spent 3 days in before going home (elcs, DS had to be evicted as he refused to make an appearance).

Both times, staff were fab. The midwives who looked after me were so lovely and attentive. I was treated like royalty and looked after really well. food was great. Not that this is the most important part but still.

No complaints. Neighbour had her DS at Lindo and was very happy.

I'd say either is a great choice.

Consultant choosing is a little trickier. You need to find someone you like. The majority offer an initial consultation and let you decided afterwards if you wish to go ahead.

You need to think about whether you want someone very cuddly or someone very straight talking and blunt. They come in all guises.

You can get recs here on MN but do have an initial consultation with at least two and don't just pick the first one you meet (unless you really like them).

If you want recs here on MN do ask.

[CooPie10]

Rufus thank you for sharing your experience and congrats on your baby. I'm sorry to hear that it was traumatic for you. I'm opting for consultant led and will be asking lots of questions on how the process will be working. We are also have the option of Lindo Wing as well.

MrsFlorrick i am glad that you had a good experiences. It seems split so far so I'm a bit worried now. I will look at the Lindo wing again. I will meet with a few consultants as well. Thanks for sharing.

[MrsFlorrick]

Getting the consultant right is probably the most important part. I'd focus on that.

Portland and Lindo both offer the same thing really. Private maternity.

Have a tour of both (they used to offer) and see which one you like best or get the best feeling at. Go with your gut on that.

And start researching consultants.

[CooPie10]

Lindo Wing can only offer tours mid March and I'm 11 weeks already so would like to choose one as soon as I can.

What concerns me about Portland is that they don't have an ICU for adult and would have to be transferred. Worried about that bit.

I also have an option of Chelsea and Westminister . Feeling a bit overwhelmed.

[SweetSuz]

CooPie what are your reasons for going private? Chelsea & Westminster is amazing btw.

[CooPie10]

Hi Sweetz, we chose to go private because it's being covered by our medical aid and they have offered good packages. Also got pregnant with fertility treatment so we just want to ensure we are doing our best. I'm not against nhs at all, just feel in our circumstances it's best for us.

[mrsmonkey14]

I'm with Lawrence Mascarenhas, who delivered my first baby, he is excellent. I'm delivering at Westminster suite at st Thomas but I believe he also does Portland.

[Luckygirlcharlie]

Kensington wing is good and C&W is - I believe - still the safest place in the UK to give birth. They're all much of a muchness I think but for me, location and safety were the main elements. I wouldn't go for Portland because if, God forbid, you or the baby need special care, you have to be transferred to another hospital. About to have my second in Ken Wing. Professor Mark Johnson. Highly recommend him.

[Gobbolinothewitchscat]

Least risky option is always not to have to transfer.

[icclemunchy]

I didn't have mine privately but I had both of mine at st Mary's. I needed ICU care after my first and my second spent 3 weeks in NICU and the staff were absolutely amazing. I really can't fault them in the slightest.

I know no one ever plans for things to go wrong but I guess having everything on site is best "just incase"