Private Consultants who are Pro Natural Birth?

[NotMyYear2021]

Any recommendations for an obstetrician who would be in favour of minimising intervention as far as possible? Thanks.

The question I have to ask is do you need an an obstetrician? Midwives are the professionals who focus on “normal” pregnancy and birth. You can get a private midwife & have continuity of care throughout your pregnancy and birth.

I am classed as high risk unfortunately, so yes I believe I do? Been looking at The Portland which has a midwife-led package but I don’t meet the criteria and they would want me to be consultant-led. I’m assuming other places would be the same although I haven’t actually checked.

I don't think there are that many consultants that are pro intervention, but if there are, I'm pretty sure the chances of them being private are higher - they can bill more. And I speak as someone who had a couple of private obstetricians.

The only other place I’ve looked at so far is Lindo Wing and that’s all consultant-led. Doesn’t seem like that’s s great place to opt for if your goal is to minimise intervention.0

@Sussexmidwife

The question I have to ask is do you need an an obstetrician? Midwives are the professionals who focus on “normal” pregnancy and birth. You can get a private midwife & have continuity of care throughout your pregnancy and birth.

This. Consultants are medics. By definition, they approach birth as a medical situation.

And I happen to know a lot of medics, particularly gynaecologists, because we live near a hospital, and I've had three gynae surgeries in 2021, and the majority of them (or their spouses) gave birth via ELCS.

@Shmithecat2 it does seem like a lot of women who choose those hospitals actually want intervention though, so that tends to be what the consultants are more familiar with. (E.g. lots of elective C-sections, ‘social inductions,’ women who want an epidural from the first contraction).

@Orreries I totally get this but I’m not a straightforward case unfortunately due to underlying conditions and previous surgeries. I’d therefore really some recommendations if anyone has any.

*really like

John and Lizzie's used to be the place for this. Unfortunately if you are a high risk pg and do not meet criteria for a midwife led birth you're unlikely to find a consultant who will support an intervention free labour and delivery. High risk means just that and it's why medical interventions save lives. I had a Lindo consultant for two births, and it was good. But maybe just access all the natural stuff on the side, hypnobirthing, yoga etc, and use it as far as you can, whilst remaining open to the possibility that interventions may be needed.

I have no experience of private consultants but I've had two NHS consultant-led pregnancies and births. The obstetricians I had were generally very receptive to my preferences for low intervention once they were confident that I was weighing up risks and discussing options.

To be more specific, I’d like someone who would be supportive of trying for a natural delivery despite previous surgeries and not just going straight for a C-section. I imagine some consultants would be more in favour of this than others, especially as thinking has changed over time.

@NotMyYear2021 it very much depends what the issues in your medical history are what level of intervention (if any) would be warranted. Different obstetricians (and midwives) specialise is different things. Happy to discuss by PM if it might help as I understand you probably don’t want to give such personal info on here.

@Sussexmidwife From what I can gather, there’s no intervention which would be an absolute requirement from the outset. I’d just need closer monitoring than most which is why I don’t qualify for the (much cheaper) midwife-led package.

@NotMyYear2021. Even if you don’t fit the Portland’s criteria for midwife led care it could well be that another private midwifery option could work

Thanks. I’ve also just contacted Queen Charlottes as they don’t give much info on their website. I think I’ll still need an obstetrician even if just to sign me off though so would still be grateful for recommendations if anyone has any.

Been looking through the Portland consultants directory and Elaine Scott is the one standing out so far.

I would like at a private midwife service instead. They do all your antenatal care in your own home separate to the NHS. You can give birth in the NHS if you want to, otherwise some have relationships with local private hospitals where you can birth or opt for a home birth where they will be present

Thanks @Fretfulmum. Do you happen know if any have links at The Portland? That would be my preference due to location.

Sorry I don’t know anything about the Portland, it’s not near me. I opted for a local private midwifery service for full antenatal and postnatal care, and had a home birth. I couldn’t recommend it enough.

I’m definitely not a candidate for a home birth. If you used a service like that in hospital and restrictions meant you could only have one person accompanying you, would you have to choose between the midwife and your partner?

What you're asking for doesn't really exist.
High risk pregnancies don't lead to intervention free births unless you go against your doctors advice (which depending on your circumstances may be right or wrong)

For example if you're 'high risk' in the NHS your care is no longer midwife led and they'd say you couldn't use the birth centre, for example.

You could say, well, I understand the information you've given me but I'd still like to have a birth centre pool birth, then that's your choice. They'd have to make a risk assessment and go with it.

Consultants at the Portland don't have a low risk area for you to labour in. I can see your predicament.

I'd say your best bet is NHS.

Try the Kensington Wing at Chelsea & Westminster

@stmw123 I ask because consultants do vary in their approaches. The Portland has a directory of their consultants which you are given when you visit with little blurbs about each one. You’re then encouraged to pick one yourself. There are a lot of them so it would be useful to hear about experiences from people here who have used different ones. Doesn’t seem like there’s anyone around currently with relevant experience unfortunately. I’ve found some past threads on this through searching though and that’s been helpful.

There are plenty of Portland Consultants who will support your wishes. Mine supported a VBAC. Its just a case of meeting a few to see how you gel.

Many thanks @Bellisima234 . I’ve now shortlisted three. Can I ask who you had?

I’ve also just contacted Queen Charlottes as they don’t give much info on their website.

I had both my births there privately. I found my consultant was quite keen to encourage me away from a Caesarian, although he didn't really take a look at the issue (very restricted hip mobility) at the first appointment and had assumed that as I apparently looked fit and healthy, I should be able to give birth naturally.

Liked the hospital. Only criticism would be that they'd said on my tour that partners could stay over after the birth (well before covid) and it transpired not to be the case.