Portland Hospital views please?!

[Jo200]

Hi there, I am new to Mumsnet and thought this would be a great place to get some info on the Portland. I had my son at an NHS Hospital in Enfield (Chase Farm) two years ago and after a very traumatic birth and eventual emergency c-section follwed by heamorraging and a catheter for 7 days, I swore I would NEVER go back. Oh yes, they almost removed my uterus too! I was told the day after that I should not give birth naturally - you don't say?!

I am now pregnant with baby no.2 and due in 3 months. Thankfully I have private health care that covers private maternity care for c-sections that are medically necessary and was recommended the Portland. I have heard good and bad about it but really wanted to have some first hand input from people that had their children there. I have been recommended to Ms Claire Mellon who seemed very nice when I met her but any info anyone could give me would be great. I am very apprehensive about this birth as you can guess by my question. Help!!!

Edam - deffo agree. There were a number of reasons why I chose the Portland, but the fact that Posh and Jordan delivered there were not among them...

there is a NICU there (iirc, suitable for supporting babies from 27 weeks) but it definitely wouldn't be my choice either (a private wing in teaching hospital I suppose is ideal)

check out John's & Lizzie's too... best birth unit in the world imo! I had to be thrown out! loved every monute... including the birth.

Sorry, I should have said, I hear they have good intensive care for babies. But not for mothers. Yes, transfers are rare, but still ...

If I could choose a private hospital I'd have one that was part of an NHS one. I'm sure the Portland is lovely and luxurious and perfect for the new mum pampering. But I think if there is a problem - and let's hope there won't be - the NHS will handle it better. I had a private obs/gyn for a while and he always recommended the Lindo Wing in Paddington.

I hear what people are saying about emergency transfers, but I just wanted to add the following.

I discussed emergency transfers with both John's & Lizzie's and the highly experienced independent midwife i used for a subsequent birth (moved outside london).

Based on discussions with them, I think it's fair to say that MOST complications are either identified in pregnancy or emerge during the labour process and are picked up by the careful monitoring you get through 1-to-1 care. It's very rare for life-threatening emergency situations to suddenly happen. If you have proper monitoring, it will be picked up in time for a transfer. And in london you are surrounded by hospitals if the shit truly hits the fan.

I liked J&L because it was a truly holistic approach to pregnancy and birth: medical, nurtitional, emotional and psychological. Yes, there was a small risk of needing to be transferred, but we had the most amazing birth experience: a beautiful candlelit waterbirth, aromatherapy, soft music, and a wonderful caring environment.

It depends on how high risk your pregnancy is, and your attitude to risk.

Ultimately you need to visit all the hospitals - there are only about 5 to consider around central London - and talk to them. Find one that matches your own hopes for the birth, whether it's very 'natural' or highly medicalised.

Then again, given you are only 3 months from your due date, you may not have many options. May as well make a few calls - the discussion of other hospitals may be a mute point.

Errr can i just say the rich and famous comment was tongue in cheek! It certainly did not form the basis of my decision - as it happens, my CF consultant recommended it as she knew various consultants there who are also at UCLH where she also practices.

Anchovy - thanks for your comments, I am a lawyer too and as you say it makes me very conscious of whats going on around me, despite the fact that I had a good negligence case at Chase Farm and decided to leave it!

I asked all the questions about emergencies and as many have said, a transfer only happens in rare occasions b'cos it is a specialist hospital and they are prepared for it e.g. the NICU. During my c-section, the consultant was brought in to 'close me up' (which doesn't normally happen) b'cos it was so botched so I really like the idea of having a consultant see me and carry out the birth from start to finish. In the NHS they only bring the big guns in when it all goes wrong, at least this way, if something does go wrong the consultant is already there. Can I just say that the consultant I see at CF now was not my treating consultant at the time BUT she knew about my case when I turned up to see her privately 2 years later!! What does that tell you?

I also asked about private wings at other NHS hospitals and there are only a few (and are mentioned here that actually cover maternity cases). Both my local hospitals don't for example. To be honest, I was totally put off by the whole NHS experience and wanted complete 1-to-1 care during and after the birth which is something that was so lacking in the NHS unfortunately. I can honestly see why so many people end up with PND after what happened to me.

The one thing I have noticed is that of all the women that have actually had their kids at the Portland and posted views, none of them have slated it so I am inclined to go with their first hand experience. I'm sure it is far from perfect but I'm hoping its a vast improvement from where I was last time! Can't be too difficult I think! Its great to get everyone's take on things and I'm glad so many of you had great tips.

Hi Jo200 - this is not my experience, but one of my best friends. Whilst I agree with one of the posters on here that most complications should be picked up during the pregnancy - they can still happen.
When my friends baby was born via c section at the portland, she developedbreathing difficulties. No London NHS hospital would take the baby as they were full and my friend and their husband had to put the baby in their car and drive her to the nearest hospital that had facilities to cope - the nearest place was Cambridge. As a result- my friend was severely traumatised. Horrendous experience. I am going private at queen charlottes and so far have had superb care.

Jo200, I don't know about other NHS private, but at C&W you do get total 1 to 1 care exactly the same as at the Portland.

Dal21 I don't want to disagree and I obviously don't know the story but I'm very that any hospital would require/allow you to transport yourself and a newborn baby 100 odd miles in your own car in an intensive care situation.

Anchovy - it wasnt an emergency situation, i didnt say it was. the baby had breathing difficulties - she was kept in the hospital for a week at cambridge as a result. and i can assure you that they had to put the baby in their own car to take her to cambridge - end of story.

That sounds like an NHS issue to be fair!

I had an elective CS at Lindo Wing in 2005 - the experience itself was wonderful - great attitude of all concerned (except the constantly screaming baby at the end of it all )
The rooms are great - newly renovated with own bathroom/shower/etc., and after-care was excellent (I didn't have any complications, but I felt more comfortable being just a short trolley ride from the NHS theathres should anything go wrong...)

My first was delivered at the Portland and I was induced and ended with an emergency cs. After the event I felt 'cheated' of my natural birth and felt that the consultant went a bit too quickly to cs option and that they didn't fully inform me of what being induced entailed and the possible risks, in advance. However the care I received was next to none and the midwives were very supportive and lovely and naturally, always available, just what you need first time round and after a cs. My second was delivered by emergency cs in an NHS hospital, a great experience, probably because I had more control and information, the third was 8 weeks ago by elective section in an NHS hospital and was probably the worst experience! On the whole for what the OP needs I say go with the Portland, they were super careful with all the post-op checks, a consultant on tap, friendly midwives, fabulous clean rooms and food to die for! Also St Mary's is just around the corner should there be any serious complications.

Hi there,
I am a new expectant mummy, still only 5 weeks. Previous pregnancy failed at 8 weeks.
My GP Surgery didn't even want to test to check that I was pregnant. The receptionist didn't even want to book an appointment when I called to inform that I had a positive preg test. I had to lie and say I had stomach pains and couldn't eat or sleep, just to see the GP.
I had a scan at Barnet hospital, when I had bloody discharge and found their care bad. The sonogropher was unpleasant and made me stretch my legs in all directions. I am very nervous this time around and want the best for my little one.

I had an early scan today at the Portland hospital, they couldn't see much and have requested I go back in two weeks. As a Private hospital I would have thought that they would use 3d or 4d scanners like they do in Harley Street, it seemed like the one you get in your local NHS hospital.

Whilst I found the staff friendly, I was rather disappointed that the consultant was as quick and dismissive as my normal GP.
He was pleasant enough, however he didn't really give me information on what and what not to do, eat or take(i.e vitamins).
I have had a blood test taken to see how high my progesterone levels. Have been asked to go to a clinic in Harley Street in two day, to take another test.
We do not have insurance that covers this, wouldn't know which one would. We are self funding this, so it's even more important that we are not wasting money.

My husband and I thought that the Portland would be a great choice, however having read some of the reviews here, I am now uncertain. I am in favour of a natural birth and according to reviews, the Portland is more in favour of CC sections.

My NHS option would be Barnet hospital (ante natal at Chase Farm) or UCLH(have heard mixed reviews on both).

It's so early on, however I am so confused and don't know what option to chose.

Anyone who can recommend a good consultant, or some further insight.

Hi! I had an ECS with my DS 4 month old at Portland. My consultant was Etienne Horner and I can't recommend him highly enough, he is the best!! I could choose between VB, ECS and water birth and Mr Horner didn't push me to anything, he let me decide on my own.
I had a great experience at Portland, it worth every penny

Newmum congratulations. You don't have to make any decisions now. It's quite normal for a GP not to do a test,mine didn't 16 years ago ,he said a positive test was a positive test.

Newmummy

Scans at 5 weeks are very very early, there is hardly anything to see yet and a 3d/4d scan would be a bit pointless.

If you want lots of antenatal time and advice then I think your best option would be to look for a private midwife. They will give you more time than a consultant and be better for advice about ordinary day to day things like vitamins or sickness. They can also be there at the birth for you (whether you go private or NHS).

OP I had 3 dcs in three different countries and believe it or not had my first in the Portland under the care of Claire Mellon!!
My first child was the only lovely birth experience. The care that I got in the Portland, the patience and kindness of Mellon, an incredible maternity nurse who got me through the last bit, my recovery from stiches all of it was really good.
My next two, different OBGYNs, both in for profit systems shattered me. One did an aggressive sweep, refused to stop when I asked him, was very rough and impatient with me in delivery and left me with terrible nasty careless stiches. I had a very bad bleed post birth and a blood transfusion. The care was bloody horrible. I was really scared and pretty much ignored.
The third was a c section, one visit after by a doc, I have no idea who he was, extremely blocked breasts and basically told to get on with it by nursing staff.
The Portland is very very high on my list and I wish I could have had Mellon for all my deliveries.

Gosh, sorry about that purge. Feels rather good to have said it all though!!