DarlingClem
There was something you mentioned about forgetting about your ideals and just wanting a healthy baby. I wanted to tell you that is THE ideal. What you are saying is that you are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure your baby is OK, leaving aside your 'experience', idealized or not and the expectations 'first world' mothers often have built up around childbirth. A natural labour is just that - for thousands of years women knew how dangerous it was and just wanted a healthy baby. Modern obstetrics lowering maternal and perinatal death rates by 99 and 90% respectively allows us the luxury of worrying about other things.
You mentioned c sections. What it means is that you would consider major abdominal surgery and a potentially much longer recovery period for yourself to keep your baby as safe as possible. You are saying: Don't take chances. Cut me and let them be safe. That is the definition of love. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
After my elcs I had people tell me how sorry they are for me that i didn't have a great birth experience. I wanted to laugh in their faces because I had my daughter who wouldn't have made it otherwise. That was my birth experience and it was worth it. Even if the recovery had been much worse it would have been worth it.
I think it's still early days for you so hopefully things will be perfect and you will be able to have a vaginal birth. Or perhaps you will need a c section. Or choose one - get them out at 38-39 - many women who went through a late stillbirth go for it. Either way I wish you a healthy baby and happy family at the end of your journey
Back to your question. Having had one DC via elcs and lost two to miscarriages I would say this about private care in London:
Do not go to Portland. The facilities are the nicest but they don't have a good NICU. They can stabilize and then the realistic daytime transfer time is at least 40 minutes. Critical care is best on the NHS. So you want a hospital with a level 3 nhs NICU and a private wing.
C&W NICU is about 10 meters away on the same floor and corridor as the Kensington Wing.
Plus when I was there Chelsea and Westminster took private wing babies into the NICU on the nhs while St Mary's kept them private - that could be catastrophically expensive although the chances are you would not need it.
I would check with both as to the current status. And explain that you recently moved. Also see where you live - crossing London in rush hour may not be much fun while in labour
Once you know the hospital you can get their consultant list. I was with nick wales at c&w and I had seriously considered taking a place in London for 5 months to do it again. Threatened miscarriage and flying ban put paid to that plan.
3 years ago Nick had a a simple ultrasound in his office that would be adequate for checks but not to take fancy pictures. If needed you could go to one of the other rooms on the Kensington Wing for sth more high powered. I would normally have an ultrasound the day before at the women's wellness centre opposite. Ask what it's like now.
Good luck