What is Midwife-led delivery?
The complete midwife-led delivery (MLD) option at The Portland can be accessed from 10, 20 or 30 weeks during your pregnancy. This option includes all antenatal appointments, ultrasound scans, routinely-required blood tests, midwife-led birth and the first 24 hours stay from admission to hospital.
Our midwives are available 24 hours a day for advice throughout your pregnancy, and within the package you will have a consultation with one of our leading consultant obstetricians who can answer any specific questions you may have.
When the exciting time arrives for your baby to be born, you will be guided through labour and birth by a dedicated midwife. If during your labour or birth an obstetrician is required, rest assured your named consultant will immediately become involved to ensure the safe delivery of your baby and both of your wellbeings.
Following birth, you will be cared for in a private room by a midwife who will be on hand to provide you with invaluable support and advice.
Three simple steps to midwife-led care
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Step 1: Talk to our Maternity Advisor and Self-Refer icon plus
To discuss your initial thoughts or to see if you are eligible for midwife-led care, please contact our maternity team on info.portland@hcahealthcare.co.uk
A member of the team will contact you within two days of receipt of your form to arrange a telephone 'Meet and Greet’ to discuss in more detail and the next steps.
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Step 2: Book your appointment icon plus
If, after your Meet and Greet appointment, the midwife informs you are eligible for midwife-led care you can decide when you would like to access your package. Either 10, 20 or 30 weeks and book your appointment accordingly. -
Step 3: Concentrate on you icon plus
Relax and enjoy your pregnancy.
Am I eligible for midwife-led delivery?
At The Portland Hospital there is an eligibility criteria for booking care for mothers-to-be under the Midwifery Led Team. Each woman will be risk assessed throughout the antenatal period, labour and birth and referred to their named Midwife Led Delivery (MLD) consultant should risk factors develop during any of these stages.
The following criteria has been developed with reference to nationally agreed NICE guidelines to ensure the safety of both mother and baby.
Who can book with MLD?
- Singleton pregnancy
- Aged between 18-39 years
- Can be Group B Strep Positive and receive IV Intravenous Antibiotics
- Cephalic presentation
- BMI between 18.0-30.0
- Women who are medically and physically low risk
- Women with a maximum of 3 previous births >24 weeks’ gestation
- Women with an uncomplicated current and previous pregnancy/ies (previous births will be discussed at Meet and Greet)
- Gestation no greater than 32 weeks at booking for overseas patients
- Gestation no greater than 36 weeks at booking for NHS patients with complete records of full AN care
- Primary well controlled Hypothyroidism accepted
- Please be aware IVF and assisted conception pregnancies are unable to be accepted on the MLD pathway
Please note that eligibility for the midwife-led care package is at the discretion of the midwife-led team to ensure the well-being of mother and baby.
Contact us
Want to learn more about our midwife-led delivery service or have questions before you book? Contact our maternity enquiry line on: