Delivery in private London hospital

[Sophie135]

Hi all, i am thinking about having my second baby in a private hospital. Was thinking about the Portland, and midwife led care as I d like to spend less than 10k. My first baby was a normal low risk delivery (but bad experience in the NHS).
Does anyone have experience with that? Or would you recommend other private hospitals or private wings of nhs hospital? North/central London would be best. Thanks!!

I haven't used them personally but a few of my employers have and have loved the care. They had OBs but low risk pregnancies with vaginal deliveries.

I would start by working out what would happen if something went wrong and you needed an EMCS. Would you be able to afford the (significantly higher) fees for that? You never know what will happen in labour, even after a first vaginal birth.

What about the Lindo wing of St Mary's if it all goes tits up you are attached to a major hospital.

I would never chose the Portland. St Mary’s is a much better choice and, like pp said, attached to main hospital.
I actually had mine at the private Sir Stanley Clayton Ward at Queen Charlottes and Chelsea in west London (choosing between that and Lindo). It was amazing and would highly recommend, the wing was so calm and I had excellent care - the midwives were so lovely and attentive.

However, I’m not sure how you can guarantee it being under £10K. I had a c section and it cost upwards of £20K (a bit more than we had thought) after billing for medicines I hadn’t anticipated needing and extra anaesthetic etc (which was fine because we were aware it was never going to be an exact figure). Good Luck!

Thanks for your answers! Yes being attached to the main hospital is good. I have been looking also at the Westminster suite at St thomas which is closer to home than St Mary's.
I get it could always cost more if there are complications, just aiming for 10k if it goes smoothly.

Would you consider a home birth? I know not what you’re asking but I had one for dd2 and it was wonderful. You get all your pre and post natal care at home. The home birth midwives in my area are amazing - you have to be pretty great to be on the home birth team. Second labours tend to be very short. I was showering in my own shower a couple of hours after dd born and went to bed in my own bed. Look into the home birth study - statistically home is the safest place for second time mums to give birth.

Maybe something to consider?