Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

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

Flip

1 2 3

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.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

saskia71 · 28/09/2007 12:16

Hi DeLorenzo, I am not with Mr Gibb but with another obstetrician who is also listed in the Times 250 Best Doctor Guide. He was very highly recommended to me by my private GP.

I had a look at The Birth Company's website and it looks like a very good package and the pricing is excellent, (as these things go). You will know if you both 'clicked' instantly. It is so important to feel comfortable with your obstetrician for trust and confidence to develop.

Let me know if you would like details about mine - he is so nice and exerts such a calming influence.

I was pleased with the facilities at the Portland other than the standard of accommodation (room as well as suite). When you look at the costs and you see what you get, you may agree with me. I just hope the a la carte menu is worthwhile - I will be ordering a bellini as soon as I can. There are nice touches like a welcome basket and they supply all the baby paraphernalia.

Anyway, whatever you decide I hope that all goes well with you and your 4th pregnancy.

mixedmama · 28/09/2007 12:32

Have only read some of the posts and just wanted to say that I am at Whipps X and other than my MW not being the most approachable the care at the hospital has been great.

To answer the OP i have no personal experience of the Portland I was told by my cousin who looked there for her care that they transfer to UCH normally in a n emer.

saskia71 · 28/09/2007 13:13

DeLorenzo I just noticed a typo, it is Tatler guide and not Times.

DeLorenzo · 28/09/2007 23:50

hi saskia71,

actually, it's the same Tatler's 2007 list where i got dr. gibb's name and number! i still have the list so please let me know the name of your doctor. i haven't officially chosen a doctor yet so a recommendation would be appreciated. dr. gibb seemed nice and very calm as well.

the description of your doctor's office sounds exactly the same as dr. gibb's (e.g. with the consultant in fetal medicince doing the scans). with your doctor, is this done at 137 harley street? this is dr. gibb's office so i would just have to go downstairs.

the only other doctor i called on the list was dr. mellon, a woman, but her first available appt. was not until end of october. i thought it didn't bode well of her availability to patients if she's too popular and i can't even get an appointment to see her until 5 weeks later.

also, i'm a little concerned about the birthing center's pricing but i have no basis of comparison since i have never given birth privately in this country (i'm from the nyc area). how does your pricing compare?

thanks!

nikki7984 · 30/09/2007 13:37

Hi Bessie123

I am going to the portland for similar reasons to yourself.

I am booked in with DR Gibb , I am 20 weeks and have been seing him since 6 weeks and I find him great. He is really friendly and the staff at the birth company are nice too. But i think most importantly you want to choose some one you feel safe with. This is my first baby and I have no confidence in the NHS hence why I am going private and I have also opted for a consultant led delivery.

mostlymay · 30/09/2007 16:00

Hi DeLorenzo I'm with Dr Gibb and he has been an absolute star with me so far. I am very anxious (boarding neurotic to be honest)after previous missed miscarriage mess up (via NHS) and he has been lovely and calming throughout both to me and my husband. I'll be able to tell you about the birth by start of January as that's when I'm due. Bessie123 our experiences do sound very similar and I'd be glad to keep you updated of progress and the Portland.

saskia71 · 30/09/2007 19:07

Hi DeLorenzo,

My obstetrician is Clive Spence-Jones (London Clinic, 5 Devonshire Place) and my consultant in fetal medicine is Basky Thilaganathan (Ultrasound Diagnostic Services, 113-115 Harley St). B.T is simply fantastic. The other person CJS would have booked for my scans was Prof Nicolaides (137 Harley St). Blood tests and pathology are carried out at 20 Devonshire Place.

To answer your query regarding pricing, well CSJ's fees are higher than the Birth Company's package. His fees only cover consultations and the delivery, whereas the Birth package also includes blood tests and scans. CSJ does include more consultations though. Of the items not included, the fees for scanning are the most significant. The number you will need will depend on how your pregnancy progresses, as well as the level of reassurance you require.

Whoever you choose as your obstetrician, your costs at the Portland will be the same. For myself, I have factored in a generous level of contingency should anything unexpected arise.

Best of luck.

slim22 · 01/10/2007 12:48

Hi heard a lot of good things about Dr Gibb but no first hand experience. He's been on those lists for years.

Did all my scans nd blood tests with Prof Nikolaides. They are the best (private) you can get in London.

Good luck and take care

nellieloula · 01/10/2007 17:58

Hi - I had scans with Prof Nikolaides for DS1 at the fetal medical centre - brilliant; and with Dr Gibb this time round. He was good, a bit more abrupt but very reassuring, both times the services, care and just general interest in us was far superiour to anything we've ever had on the NHS. Sad but true.

moocowme · 02/10/2007 23:32

i just got home from the Portland today. a bit tired but the thing I liked the best was the post natal care by the midwives, this was bliss. my fisrt night they were in constantly to attend to things and check on me and come with the pain relief and this was really good as i needed it due to lots of complications. this is why i went their and it was good.

Original poster

Bessie123 · 04/10/2007 15:58

moocowme - that is very reassuring.

Saskia - when you say the portland supplies all the baby paraphanalia, is there somewhere I can read what they actually provide? Do you know if it's on their website? I do have an appointment there soon, so can always ask them.

OP posts:

Original poster

Bessie123 · 04/10/2007 16:07

Moocowme - forgot to say CONGRATULATIONS

OP posts:

moocowme · 06/10/2007 23:41

their is a pdf brochure on their website that explains some of it. when you have your booking in appointment make sure you ask about anything you want to know. I found they were only to happy to answer any questions.

Pruners · 06/10/2007 23:55

Message withdrawn

lisalisa · 07/10/2007 00:06

Message withdrawn

beeper · 07/10/2007 14:51

Ladies, I am most that you have your babas at the portland. I am just 3 months with my second and had a crash C-section and was basically butchered by the NHS. I want to have a c-section under GA as epidurals dont work for me. I checked out the prices and nearly blew chunks. It might be cheaper to send 'Kim and Aggie' from how clean is your home into the local NHS mat unit .

Good for you.

Original poster

Bessie123 · 08/10/2007 12:13

Pruners - there are different packages. If you have already had a child and the pregnancy was uneventful, you can go midwife only and pay (I think) around £3-4K. If it's your first pregnancy and all indications are that you will have an easy, natural birth, you can go on a midwife package for about £8K (but budget for £10K because there are all sorts of hidden extras). If you have complications or want a c-section or if you just want to be supervised by a doctor, then you go with an obstetrician and pay more.

Hope that's helpful.

OP posts:

Anchovy · 08/10/2007 12:22

Bessie 123, that latter price sounds high. I had the consultant led service and a CS, and it wasn't much more than that (admittedly 4 years ago), I think, so I suspect ordinary delivery by midwife is not as much as that.

I think they are really trying to push the midwife-led service, partly to get round the "everyone had a C-section" image (which is a bit unfair because huge amounts of people only book in when they know they need a c-section as their insurance then covers it).

Can't remember if I have posted on this thread but I had both DCs there and had a really fantastic time.

Original poster

Bessie123 · 08/10/2007 13:59

Anchovy - that's what they're charging me for midwife led service. I still think it's worth it, though.

OP posts:

westerngirl · 10/10/2007 18:56

Has anyone attended Con Kelleher at Portland or St Thomas'.

moocowme · 12/10/2007 18:18

i had almost full time care for the first 24 hours after my CS (cs was for medical reasons) and this was fab as so many things went wrong (no ones fault my body just does not do surgery very well!!) and this was excellent and i recovered so much quicker. many people coment on how well i am doing only 2 weeks after giving birth.

i went back for 'rooming in' with DS for a day and a night before DS came home and found this very helpful and am coping very well at home now.

I felt it was well worth all the expensive medical insurance I have paid for over the years and would only ever do it this way again if I have another one.

Flip

1 2 3