Maternity care: What to expect at The Portland Hospital Outpatients

Emily Street, Practice Manager, talks through what to expect from a visit to The Portland Hospital Outpatients:

I’m passionate about making your experience here as personal and reassuring as possible. Whether you're coming in for a routine cervical screening, contraception advice, menopause support, or a full antenatal care package, we have the right consultant for you.

Our team includes three consultant gynaecologists who cover everything from recurrent miscarriage to menopause and advanced gynaecological surgery. We also have highly experienced fetal medicine consultant obstetricians and a dedicated midwifery team, offering support from pre-conception to postnatal care.

Fertility, gynaecology and pregnancy scans can be standalone or part of a wider package. Our friendly admin team ensures you’re seen as quickly as possible and by the right specialist.

Dr Kenneth Ma, Consultant Gynaecologist, specialises in early pregnancy complications and recurrent miscarriage. As he explains “With my specialist areas, it’s great to be able to see patients promptly through self-referral. During a consultation, I take a full history and may suggest an ultrasound or blood tests - all of which can happen in the same visit. We’ll then talk through the results and how best I can help.”

For those already pregnant or planning to be, we offer tailored antenatal care with expert guidance. Dr Emma Shawkat, Consultant Obstetrician and subspecialist in maternal and fetal medicine says; “I bring both clinical precision and personal understanding to every patient I see. I’m deeply committed to delivering high-quality, personalised care because every pregnancy is as unique as the woman experiencing it. I work collaboratively with you to develop a tailored care plan that supports your wellbeing and promotes the safest, most positive birth outcome possible.”

We recommend starting antenatal care early. From 10 weeks, you can book an early scan and NIPT test to assess the likelihood of the common chromosome conditions and, if you wish, your baby’s sex. For many, this is their first scan, and it’s a perfect time to ask questions. Each appointment includes a midwife who helps you understand all your birth options, scans and tests, and what to expect.

While deliveries don’t take place here in Hale, we can help arrange delivery at The Portland Hospital in London, at your local NHS hospital, or even assist with home birth arrangements.

Preparing for parenthood

Pregnancy is an exciting and sometimes overwhelming time. We know it’s not just about physical care - it’s also about reassurance. Private antenatal care at The Portland Hospital Outpatients gives you continuity from your chosen team, in clinic or at home. We offer hypnobirthing, parent education, and postnatal care through our well baby checks – and you’ll have access to your named midwife for ALL the questions that crop up.