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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Anyone going private at the Portland?

71 replies

Bessie123 · 19/09/2007 10:55

After getting to 15 weeks and still no word from any NHS midwife, I decided I definitely wanted to go private. I have had 3 appointments at the Portland, but they have all been quite brief and in 1 room, so I didn't get a great idea of what is to come (I also had a tour of the labour rooms, but still don't know what to expect).

I was wondering if anyone else is going to the Portland, and what they think of it.

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Glimmer · 19/09/2007 11:17

Hi Bessie, I had good experiences after a misscarriage cleanup at the Portland but no experience of antenatal. When I considered them I learned that they have very high rate of Cesarians, partly because many women who want a Cesarian go there. Personally, I am aiming for a natural childbirth, so I decided it would not be the right place for me. I decided to go with an independent MW, but if I would have gone (or will have to go) for a hospital birth, I will consider John and Lizzie's. I really depends on what your expectations are. Good luck!

NoNameToday · 19/09/2007 11:23

Bessie123

contact the Head of Midwifery at the hospital where you would like to have your baby.

No contact yet is poor, you can still change your mind if you do choose to go private.

Original poster

Bessie123 · 19/09/2007 11:24

Thanks, Glimmer. I am after a (relatively) natural birth, too. The midwife did seem a bit reluctant to include an epidural on my birth plan when I brought the subject up. It seemed a little strange. I am VERY keen on the 1:1 care that the Portland offers during labour.

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Original poster

Bessie123 · 19/09/2007 11:26

nonametoday, I am 20 weeks now and am just not interested in going nhs any more. I have absolutely no confidence that I will get a good service, and am so nervous about giving birth anyway that I think now it's worth the crazy expense to go private. From what I hear, poor service from the nhs in my area is unfortunately not uncommon

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TheBlonde · 19/09/2007 11:29

A friend had both of hers at the Portland
First was all fine
Second MW failed to notice baby was breech so she had a scary emergency section

Did you manage to get any contact with your NHS midwife in the end?

ClaphamLauren · 19/09/2007 11:30

I've had a couple of scans and an appointment at the Portland but won't be going there unless I decide upon a c-section (which I'm currently trying to avoid!) and even then I may decide to go somewhere more local. I am currently in both the private and NHS systems rather confusingly and found that information/guidance was pretty similar with both. I'm still fairly clueless )

In terms of what happens I am hoping that is explained more nearer the time as I'm only 14 weeks I'm not overly concerned as yet. I have an appointment in December with obs consultant to finalise birth plan and I'm hoping that is when everything will be thoroughly discussed!

How many weeks are you? Remember, you are paying for a service and you should expect a good level of care and if you don't feel you are getting it then speak to someone. When you're paying that much money you're more than entitled to!

goingfor3 · 19/09/2007 11:33

Could you pay for private care at an NHS hospital as the midwives have more experince with natural births and in an emergency they will be able to find a larger team to assist. In private hospital most of the births are cs and the midwives probably only do the same amount of natural births in year as NHS midwives do n a year (or so I heard) though your aftercare should be much better in a private hospital.

slim22 · 19/09/2007 11:40

I had DS at the lingo wing St Mary's. Was great. 1 on 1 care and my ob gyn there throughout delivery. I saw my ob gyn at every antenatal visit.

Would never have considered the Portland as it is not really a hospital and they have no neo nat. and no emergency care for mother if pb after birth.

Heard a lot of good things about St John's and lizzie but was not confident enough to go for mother earth experience for a first.
Would definitely go for the second!

NoNameToday · 19/09/2007 11:42

Bessi123

Sorry I hadn't looked at the original post date.

I recently left the NHS (midwife for many years) because I felt I couldn't continue to work within a system that was at times providing less than satisfactory care to during pregnancy and childbirth.

Please write to complain regarding your lack of care and then your concerns are documented, one tiny step to maybe improving maternity care.

I have heard good reports of the Lindo wing at St Mary's albeit the facilities are less luxurious than the Portland!

Original poster

Bessie123 · 19/09/2007 11:44

I spoke to one of the midwives about my concerns re a natural birth and she said they are v experienced and can provide a better service than the nhs (although I suppose they would say that...). It's v difficult to know.

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Original poster

Bessie123 · 19/09/2007 11:46

nonametoday, I will do that. The midwife I spoke to at the portland said something v similar re becoming disillusioned with the nhs.

I might have a look at St Marys. I live in E London, though; it might be a bit far?

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NoNameToday · 19/09/2007 11:50

Most NHS maternity units don't have private patients in midwifery as such, you can ask for a private obstetrician, but the actual care from the midwives is no more or less than for any other mother.

Also, if you have a private obstetrician who is involved with the delivery, there is far more likelihood of intervention.

Original poster

Bessie123 · 19/09/2007 11:53

I really want to avoid intervention where poss. It sounds horrible. I just want to be relaxed and know my life and my baby's life won't be put in danger through negligence. It seemed that because of its high profile, somewhere like the Portland would be the best place to achieve that..?

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NoNameToday · 19/09/2007 11:55

It's so many years since I spent time in London that the distance doesn't mean much to me.

There is a website for private midwives in London who have an arrangement with the local hospitals where they go with you and undertake your care, so technically all private.

They do all ante natal and post natal care also if that is the package you choose.

That may be another option for you, I will try and find the website.

Original poster

Bessie123 · 19/09/2007 11:56

Thanks, that wld be great.

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NoNameToday · 19/09/2007 12:10

The one I was going to link no longer says they will deliver, this one does

www.3shiresmidwife.co.uk/

you may be out of her travel time, but I'm sure if you chat with her she may be able to put you in contact with another private midwife.

It's a fairly select goup and they usually know of others.

Meanwhile, if I can be of help with any other questions, please ask.

toomanyshoes · 19/09/2007 12:12

Hi Bessie, I am also in E london and my hospital is supposed to be whipps cross in leytonstone. All my experiences there so far have been awful so have decided to transfer to a hospital near my mums house in Cambridge which has an excellent reputation and facilities. Going to go and stay with her for the end of my pregnancy. Did consider the portland but had a very fast labour with my first and was worried about getting there in time! Visions of giving birth in back of cab!
I had my first at the Royal London in Whitechapel and that was very good, if it's near to you you could always transfer? I had all my antenatal care with them so avoided the rubbish care that was available to me had I gone for my nearest hospital at the time (newham general). Just thought I'd mention it as some nhs hospitals are fab and you don't have to go for your nearest

Original poster

Bessie123 · 19/09/2007 12:20

toomanyshoes, royal london is just down the road from me, but I was v unimpressed.

If you're near Romford, the hospital there (I think it's called Queens) is excellent.

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moocowme · 19/09/2007 12:39

I am going to the Portland as I need an EC for medical reasons. my local was rubish with appointments for those with complications that needed to see a consultant urgently (they felt a 10 week wait was ok).

My EC will be done by two senior obs rather than the trainee that I was offered in the NHS.

what I am really going for is the aftercare as I will need to be in for a few days and OH can stay over as well as we live outside London.

Original poster

Bessie123 · 19/09/2007 13:06

moocowme, when are you going in?

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moocowme · 19/09/2007 14:05

maybe next week, maybe week after, am waiting for this to be finalised as i started late with private cover after not realising it would cover this sort of complication in full.

Original poster

Bessie123 · 19/09/2007 14:07

Wow. Good luck - hope it goes well and is all v easy.

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missbumpy · 19/09/2007 14:14

Hi Bessie,
I don't know anything about the Portland but I just wanted to say that I was v unimpressed with Royal London too. I'm sure that their clinical care is brilliant but in terms of the antenatal care, I found it pretty horrendous. I was getting really down about the pregnancy every time I went there for an appointment Anyway, eventually I switched to UCH and I'm much happier there. They've got a birthing centre so I'm hoping to have a natural birth, if all goes well.

Just mentioning it because it might be worth investigating a few other NHS hospitals before you go private.

Good luck wherever you end up going!

Original poster

Bessie123 · 19/09/2007 14:15

thanks, missbumpy. I was also thinking about UCH. When are you due?

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missbumpy · 19/09/2007 14:27

15th Oct

I mean UCH isn't as plush as I imagine the Portland to be (it's still in the old building rather than the shiny new building on the Euston Rd - I think they're moving next year so depending on when you're due you might be in luck!) but the antenatal care, the 'bedside manner', and the whole set up with the birthing centre is sooo much nicer than Royal London. That's just my opinion though.

Actually, one of the midwives I saw at UCH said she'd done her training at Royal London and she wouldn't go back there if you paid her !

It's worth looking around. I'm no expert on these things (1st baby and never been to a private hospital) but, from what I've heard, you're really paying for the hotel like surroundings at places like the Portland. The actually quality of medical care is no better and, in emergency situations, I think they have to transfer you to NHS hospitals anyway as they don't have the equipment/expertise to do everything on site.

Whereabouts in E London are you? I'm in Walthamstow.

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