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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

The Portland Hospital

14 replies

LittleOne76 · 13/01/2011 18:55

Has anyone had any experience with The Portland? Are you getting antenatal care there now and/or did you give birth there? Would be grateful for any good/bad feedback.
Thanks so much!

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banana87 · 13/01/2011 19:34

I was under midwife led care from 12 weeks at the Portland (DD now 2). They were wonderful. I saw each midwife at least once so knew who I was talking to when I went into labour. The whole experience, although traumatic, was great and I would go there again in a heartbeat.

lilly13 · 13/01/2011 19:36

I strongly considered it and did the tour twice, but then passed. Going to a private unit at an NHS hospital. Portland is one of the best London's hospitals and has a really good reputation internationally, but it is not for everyone and there are some shortcomings as well. Why don't you do a tour and ask questions that are relevant to your situation?

Original poster

LittleOne76 · 13/01/2011 21:06

Thanks guys. That's a good idea to go and see and see and keep an open mind.

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Paribus · 14/01/2011 08:09

I gave birth in Portland 2 years ago and will (hopefully) do it again this time around (am pg now). I loved it, everything was v smooth, everyone was v helpful- can't praise them enough really. As far as antenatal care goes- I have a consultant in Harley street centre for women and children, who's overseeing both of my pregnancies.

ckny1 · 14/01/2011 09:08

Am 32 weeks and getting consultant care at Portland, and while I raved about it in the beginning, just last night I expressed some of my doubts to my husband! The tour was very impressive, the facilities are clean and modern, and the staff is all friendly. I suppose I'm concerned with whether or not I'm being coerced into having a c-section b/c of my fibroids, and would like a 2nd opinion after my scan next week.

While I love my consultant, she's quite a character, I would recommend going with the midwife care or choosing a consultant who is at Portland more often (mine is only there one eve/week, and is always in a rush and the staff are confused by her).

Some of my doubts also stem from me deciding to give birth in the UK rather than the US b/c I agree w/ the more natural and caring approach here, though I wonder now with this ecs whether in fact Portland is as business-minded as a US hospital!

My former GYN had recommended Chelsea Westminster and other posters on MN have had great things to say about Queen Charlotte.

I'm encouraged that others here had a good experience at PH, and good luck with your decision!

BlackSwan · 14/01/2011 09:25

Excellent hospital - wouldn't consider anywhere else in London. They have ICU for babies, but not mums - the one and only factor which gave me pause, but consultant's assurance satisfied me that all would be ok. Never looked back.

Original poster

LittleOne76 · 15/01/2011 18:06

This is really helpful. That's a good tip ckny re. checking how often the MW or consultant is at the hospital.

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Jenchandler · 15/01/2011 19:53

We also checked out the Portland. It looked great but we were put off by a couple of things. We are both doctors so were probably overly cautious but there is no ITU for adults and if something went wrong, I'd want an entire fully staffed crash team there. We felt happier going NHS in the end and I'm booked at Queen Charlotte. had fab care there so far.
We were being overly cautious and the Portland is a great hospital. I'd definately do the tour xxx

lilly13 · 15/01/2011 20:33

my consultant told me that he once had to wait 1.5hrs at portland for an emergency c-section. you will see that they can only operate on 1 person at operating theater on the normal delivery floor; they do have another operating theater downstairs which is used for scheduled c-sections. also, i undertand they do not have emergency blood transfusion facilities (the way i understood it is that blood has to be pre-ordered). when i raised both of these issues on the tour, the nurse re-assured me that this is not the case (however, they will not give you anything in writing). also, i was told by another consultant that facilities for premature babies there start at 34 weeks. if you are worried, then it is better to go to a private unit at NHS hospital which start from 24-28 weeks. on the tour they said it is 32 and possibly will be changed to 30 weeks (but how?). seems like a bit of data manipulation and again nothing is in writing. don't get me wrong -- it is a fantastic hospital, however, as i said before, it is not for everyone...

BlackSwan · 15/01/2011 20:55

I had concerns about needing blood (I've previously required transfusion following surgery) and I pre-ordered it, it was definitely there when I checked into the hospital.

Lilly I made them give me their stats in writing, like how many women required transfer to another hosp, how many died etc, and they did confirm it in writing.

There is definitely a limitation in terms of how young they will take premies, but I really don't think you are fair in concluding they're lying. They don't need to lie - the hosp is always booked up and frankly they are a very professional outfit.

lilly13 · 15/01/2011 21:04

Thanks, BlackSwan. I did not say they were lying. I just did not like the way they handled the questions because it came across as if they were trying to mask some facts. I also did not like the fact that they only had 1 water birth facility and it was on a 1st come 1st serve basis... I have decided that I will be at more ease at a private unit at an NHS hospital. It is a personal choice. Although, I am the only one out of my group of dozen of so girlfriends and co-workers who is not going to Portland...

banana87 · 16/01/2011 11:59

I can confirm that the blood transfusion issue is incorrect. I bled very heavily after having DD and needed a transfusion the next day. This was sorted out in a number of hours and I received the transfusion. Obviously this was not pre-ordered.

annetteo · 21/01/2011 22:59

Both my DDs were delivered by CS at The Portland. (My ob/gyn for both was Jeannie Yoon Lister Hospital & Harley Street, she is just lovely.) The Portland staff were a tad cranky - almost as if they were determined to stamp out any diva behaviours before they happened. Best part - as with all hospitals - was going home. The babies received Portly Panda Bears and memberships of the "Exclusive Portly Panda Club". We'll be going to Portly Panda's birthday party this year...:) I would recommend it.

BagofHolly · 22/01/2011 00:42

I had all 3 of my children at the Portland, and my last delivery was 3 weeks ago! I had a big bleed straight after delivery and had an emergency transfusion. I'd just spent a week on the antenatal ward of my local nhs hospital and the difference was night and day. The aftercare at the Portland was exceptional, I actually got sleep and proper looking after.

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