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Midwife-led delivery
- Maternity specialists available 24/7
- Pre-birth consultation with an expert obstetrician
- Dedicated to the care and safety of mothers and babies
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MATERNITY CARE AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
At The Portland Hospital, we understand how important it is to choose how you want to welcome your baby into the world. It’s why we offer a holistic midwife-led delivery service to women with low-risk pregnancies who want a natural birth.
From the moment you tell us you’re pregnant, your care will be led by a small and dedicated team of highly skilled midwives, who’ll arrange your antenatal appointments, whyultrasound scans and blood tests. They’ll get to know you personally and work with you to create your own unique birthing plan.
To make your delivery experience as comfortable as possible, our state-of-the-art midwife-led unit is equipped with spacious birthing rooms and a birthing pool. Your midwives will be at your side throughout your labour, providing round-the-clock care and guidance. Plus, you’ll have the added reassurance of seamless consultant intervention, if needed.
Please click on the links below to view our packages and the prices:
10 week midwife-led care package
20 week midwife-led care package
30 week midwife-led care package
From the moment you tell us you’re pregnant, your care will be led by a small and dedicated team of highly skilled midwives, who’ll arrange your antenatal appointments, whyultrasound scans and blood tests. They’ll get to know you personally and work with you to create your own unique birthing plan.
To make your delivery experience as comfortable as possible, our state-of-the-art midwife-led unit is equipped with spacious birthing rooms and a birthing pool. Your midwives will be at your side throughout your labour, providing round-the-clock care and guidance. Plus, you’ll have the added reassurance of seamless consultant intervention, if needed.
Please click on the links below to view our packages and the prices:
10 week midwife-led care package
20 week midwife-led care package
30 week midwife-led care package
1stand only private early pregnancy unit in London
40,000+babies, children and young people cared for every year
300+nursing specialists and clinical professionals
Personalised to you
Maternity care with mum and baby at the centre
24/7 support
from our dedicated maternity teams
Onward referrals for mum and baby
access to leading consultants in our HCA UK network
Maternity services
Midwife-led delivery
We offer comprehensive maternity care at The Portland Hospital, which includes everything from informative open evenings to specialist scans and expert antenatal classes:
Ultrasound and scans
Get support at every milestone with private pregnancy scans from 6 to 36+ weeks. Access state-of-the-art ultrasound technology, dedicated sonographers and women’s health consultants.
Specialist antenatal classes
Comprehensive antenatal classes to prepare parents for birth and beyond.
Pregnancy open evenings
If you're considering having your baby at The Portland Hospital, our regular open evenings offer you the chance to meet our maternity care experts and talk to them about your delivery needs and the options available to you.
Maternity: Patient admissions
We pride ourselves on ensuring parents-to-be who choose to have their baby at The Portland Hospital have as positive and stress-free a birthing experience as possible.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
MIDWIFE-LED DELIVERY
What to expect
Our midwife-led delivery package ensures you’ll receive expert care from the moment you tell us that you’re pregnant to when you walk out of The Portland Hospital with your newborn. It can be accessed from weeks 10, 20 or 30 of your pregnancy. It includes all antenatal appointments, ultrasound scans, routinely required blood tests, midwife-led birth and the first 24-hour stay from admission to hospital.
Here, we’ve outlined the package so you’ll know what to expect at every stage, but please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our midwife team if you have any questions.
Here, we’ve outlined the package so you’ll know what to expect at every stage, but please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our midwife team if you have any questions.
01
Personalised antenatal care
You'll be allocated a dedicated team of midwives, who’ll guide you through your pregnancy. They’ll arrange regular antenatal appointments, so we can monitor your health and your baby's development. We’ll provide a safe space for you to discuss your birth preferences and address any concerns.
02
Tailored birth plan
Your midwives will work closely with you to develop a personalised birth plan. Whether you're considering a water birth or exploring various birthing positions, your preferences will be central to the planning process.
03
Supportive labour and delivery
When labour begins, your midwives will be by your side, providing continuous support and expert care. Our state-of-the-art birthing suites are equipped with birthing balls, mats and en-suite bathrooms, and you'll have the freedom to move around and choose positions that feel right for you. If you've chosen a water birth, our dedicated facilities are designed to enhance your comfort during delivery.
If, at any point during your labour, an obstetrician is required, rest assured, one of our consultants will immediately become involved to ensure the safest delivery method is used for you and your baby.
If, at any point during your labour, an obstetrician is required, rest assured, one of our consultants will immediately become involved to ensure the safest delivery method is used for you and your baby.
04
Compassionate postnatal care
After your baby's arrival, we’ll take care of you both in one of our private rooms. Your midwives will be on hand to provide you with invaluable support and advice, including initial feeding and newborn care.
We’ll provide postnatal check-ups to monitor your health and ensure a smooth transition as you begin your exciting new chapter as a mother.
We’ll provide postnatal check-ups to monitor your health and ensure a smooth transition as you begin your exciting new chapter as a mother.
Locations
Our midwife-led delivery service and birthing unit is available at The Portland Hospital in London, the only fully private maternity hospital in the UK.
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
Midwife-led delivery FAQs
If you’re interested in our midwife-led delivery and want to see if you are eligible, please contact our maternity team on info.portland@hcahealthcare.co.uk.
A member of the team will contact you within two days of receiving your email to arrange a telephone 'Meet and Greet’. During the call, they’ll discuss the midwife-led delivery option in more detail, answer any questions you may have and talk you through the next steps.
If the midwife decides you are eligible for midwife-led care, you can decide when you would like to access your package (either at 10, 20 or 30 weeks) and we’ll book you in.
A member of the team will contact you within two days of receiving your email to arrange a telephone 'Meet and Greet’. During the call, they’ll discuss the midwife-led delivery option in more detail, answer any questions you may have and talk you through the next steps.
If the midwife decides you are eligible for midwife-led care, you can decide when you would like to access your package (either at 10, 20 or 30 weeks) and we’ll book you in.
Please click on the links below to view our packages and the prices:
10 week midwife-led care package
20 week midwife-led care package
30 week midwife-led care package
10 week midwife-led care package
20 week midwife-led care package
30 week midwife-led care package
A midwife-led delivery means your birth is managed by one of our qualified midwives rather than an obstetrician. Midwives are highly trained professionals specialising in pregnancy, labour and postnatal care. Our experienced midwives at The Portland Hospital focus on low-risk, natural births and are here to support you throughout your labour and baby’s birth.
The complete midwife-led delivery option can be accessed from weeks 10, 20, or 30 of your pregnancy. This includes all antenatal appointments, ultrasound scans, routinely required blood tests, midwife-led birth and the first 24-hour stay from admission to hospital.
The complete midwife-led delivery option can be accessed from weeks 10, 20, or 30 of your pregnancy. This includes all antenatal appointments, ultrasound scans, routinely required blood tests, midwife-led birth and the first 24-hour stay from admission to hospital.
We offer a midwife-led delivery option to women with a low-risk or less-complicated pregnancy. This means:
- Your baby is in a healthy position
- You have no underlying medical conditions that may complicate the birth
- Your pregnancy has progressed without major concerns
Our midwife-led delivery at The Portland Hospital is designed to be a gentle and natural approach to childbirth, with your midwife guiding you through each stage:
With HCA UK, you'll receive peace of mind knowing our outstanding facilities are readily available on-site should you need additional, unexpected care.
- Early labour: You'll likely experience mild, irregular contractions that gradually become stronger and closer together. Your midwife will advise you on when to come to our unit. However, you can come in to be assessed at any time, if you wish to.
- Active labour: Contractions will start to become more intense and frequent. You'll be advised to use breathing techniques and relaxation methods to help manage the pain. Your midwife will encourage movement to ease discomfort and offer pain relief, if required.
- The pushing stage: Once you're fully dilated (10cm), your body will naturally begin to push. You'll be guided through instinctive pushing and receive hands-on support to ease your baby's arrival.
- Meeting your baby: As soon as your baby is born, immediate skin-to-skin contact is encouraged to promote bonding and regulate your baby’s temperature. Your midwife will carefully perform newborn assessments.
- Recovery and support: Following delivery, your midwife will ensure you and your baby receive the best possible care. They'll be there to offer advice and reassurance, and to keep you informed while monitoring your recovery and your baby's wellbeing.
With HCA UK, you'll receive peace of mind knowing our outstanding facilities are readily available on-site should you need additional, unexpected care.
With a consultant-led delivery, you’ll get to choose which one of our consultant obstetricians at The Portland Hospital you’d like to oversee your pregnancy and deliver your baby.
Your consultant obstetrician will advise you on antenatal screening, scans and make detailed plans for the birth. If you have a high-risk pregnancy, this may involve liaising with other specialists, who’ll be on hand to offer their expertise, if needed.
You’ll still see our team of midwives, who’ll help you prepare for your delivery. Your consultant will then lead the delivery of your baby and our midwives will be there to assist.
Your consultant obstetrician will advise you on antenatal screening, scans and make detailed plans for the birth. If you have a high-risk pregnancy, this may involve liaising with other specialists, who’ll be on hand to offer their expertise, if needed.
You’ll still see our team of midwives, who’ll help you prepare for your delivery. Your consultant will then lead the delivery of your baby and our midwives will be there to assist.
The benefits of choosing a midwife-led birthing unit include:
- Personalised care: Our midwives take time to get to know you, your birth preferences and any concerns you may have. They provide continuity of care, meaning you'll see the same faces throughout your pregnancy and birth.
- Greater control and empowerment: Women who choose midwife-led care often feel more in control of their birthing experience. Our midwives work with you to create a birth plan that reflects your choices.
- Lower risk of medical interventions: Research shows that midwife-led care is linked to fewer caesareans and lower rates of assisted delivery.
- Holistic support: Midwives provide emotional reassurance, practical pain relief options and guidance on breastfeeding, bonding and postpartum recovery.
At The Portland Hospital, we’re dedicated to ensuring you receive the best possible care. That’s why our eligibility criteria has been developed in line with NICE guidelines for the safety of both mother and baby.
To book midwife-led delivery, the following must apply to you:
Please note: Eligibility for the midwife-led care package is at the discretion of the team to ensure the wellbeing of mother and baby.
To book midwife-led delivery, the following must apply to you:
- Singleton pregnancy (one baby)
- Aged between 18-39 years
- BMI between 18.0-35.0
- Medically and physically low risk
- Maximum of three previous births
- Uncomplicated current/previous pregnancy
Please note: Eligibility for the midwife-led care package is at the discretion of the team to ensure the wellbeing of mother and baby.
Our midwives are highly trained in recognising early signs of complications and will take the necessary steps to manage them. If any concerns arise, they’ll act swiftly to support you.
The midwife-led delivery package includes a consultation with a consultant obstetrician, who can answer any questions you may have. They'll be ready to immediately step in should you need medical intervention during your labour or birth.
The midwife-led delivery package includes a consultation with a consultant obstetrician, who can answer any questions you may have. They'll be ready to immediately step in should you need medical intervention during your labour or birth.
Absolutely. Having a trusted support person with you during labour is highly encouraged in midwife-led births. Our delivery rooms are spacious enough to accommodate an extra bed for your birth partner, ensuring they can be by your side when you need them most.
Yes, we have a dedicated water birth room that is equipped with a state-of-the-art birthing pool. Benefits of a water birth include:
- Pain relief: Immersion in warm water can help alleviate the intensity of contractions, promoting relaxation and reducing the need for additional pain relief methods.
- Enhanced mobility: Water allows for easier movement so you can find comfortable positions during labour.
- Calming environment: The peaceful setting can reduce anxiety and create a more relaxing birthing experience.
We know how unpredictable a labour can be. Don’t worry, it’s natural to change your mind about pain relief or medical interventions as your experience unfolds. Even if you planned a midwife-led delivery with minimal intervention, you have the right to request medical support at any stage.
At HCA UK, we recognise that every birth is unique, and our midwives are trained to support flexibility and informed decision-making. Your midwife will always guide you through your options and ensure your needs are met in the safest way possible.
At HCA UK, we recognise that every birth is unique, and our midwives are trained to support flexibility and informed decision-making. Your midwife will always guide you through your options and ensure your needs are met in the safest way possible.
Our patients’ stories
Safia’s birthing experiences at The Portland
"I had a huge fear of birth and hospitals, so I wanted to have that 1-2-1 experience. For all three of my births, the consultants were incredible and were on call day or night."
Linseys hypnobirthing experience
‘When I first found out I was pregnant, I was nervous about the birth,’ Linsey admits. After starting maternity care at The Portland Hospital, she was told about the range of antenatal classes available. One that particularly stood out was hypnobirthing. Hypnobirthing is a technique designed to provide a calm and comfortable birthing experience. It involves practices such as controlled breathing, visualisations and deep relaxation.
“Choosing midwife-led care means receiving gentle, expert support in a setting that respects your choices and nurtures your confidence. Our midwives are here to listen and reassure you, putting you fully in control of your experience. Our seamless integration with consultant-led care also provides peace of mind, knowing that specialist support is available if you need it. It's your birth, your way – and we're here to help you every step of the way.”
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