New to London - need help chosing a consultant for Portland Hospital

[skiingone]

Just joined the site as it looks very helpful. To all other women who are pregnant I wish easy pregnancies, easy deliveries and healthy babies.
Ok, I' 32 and just mived to London, following my partner's move for his job and now I'm about 5-6 weeks pregnant with my first child. I don't have any family or any close friends here yet. So I would like to get some advice from recent mums on which consultant I should contact to make my life easier. The good thing is that my partner's insurance would cover most of the costs of private care. I live close to Portland hospital and if anyone has used a good consultant that whould lead me through this-please let mr know. I found Dr. Donald GIBB on the internet, but then I saw lost of negative feedback on this site about him, so now I'm doubting that he would be a good choice. Any advice would be appreciated. Thansks a lot in advance.

I don't know about sighing Anchovy - the entire thread has made me snort

Most of the doctors who deliver at the kensington wing charge 7k and it's a set fee regardless how you deliver. the price of staying at the kensington wing is 3k for deposit and whatever you incur during/after delivery. it includes only the first night.

I've emailed you eandz. If you could let me have the price comparison that would be great.

Thanks!

have had to have a laugh at this thread with all of you singing the praises of Mr Economides. I believe he is a great consultant but he was my "named" consultant at the Royal Free (nhs) and I never saw him! Even when my baby was breech and my bp was going up and up and up! He was obviously a bit busy down at the Portland...

Anyway, because dd was breech and I had to have a c-section we were able to use dh's BUPA and stayed at the Royal Free and used Ms Kadir who is AMAZING!!

Can I also say how nice it is that this hasn't turned into a going-private bashing thread?

Glad we are providing amusement for you ShinyHappy... though can't for the life of me see what's funny about discussing obstetricians

Oh I'm just being slighty classist or something Slinkie,, inverted snobbery I think it is? Not really meant nastily I promise; just so far removed from my reality and that of anyone I know, have even known or am ever likely to know that it's really quite beyond my comprehension hence the snort.. at myself really upon reflection!

Although, has to be said, for all the privately-funded-widely-acclaimed input in the world, childbirth still farking hurts!

I think you have to consider why it is that people are so desperate to pay £10k for childbirth. Believe me, if my previous experience of the NHS in London was even close to acceptable I would be spending my money on the mortgage instead. Especially given that I pay what seems like a lot of tax and so am effectively paying twice by opting out of the NHS...

i've emailed you back scaryhairy!

Fair enough ShinyHappy - sorry for being touchy - like someone else said, these threads often turn into a war so I was being overly defensive . And I totally agree with your last comment!
Just saw you have an appt with Mr Duncan skiingone - hope it goes well.

Thanks slinkiemalinki. I will see Keith Duncan on Tuesday, he's unfortunately located in Chelsey & Westminster which is not very convenient for me, but if he is so good - might have to do the trips. Might be able to get an appoitment with Dr. Teoh who is at St. Mary's Lindo wing in a couple of weeks as well. He is a bit more convenient location wise, but not sure if there is much difference between the two of these doctors. Both sound good.

skiigone,
the chelsea and westminster is far, don't get me wrong. but the best thai food ever is located on 121 earls court road. it's called addie's thai. it's the reason i don't mind the commute. :p