CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
CONSULTANT-LED DELIVERY
Exceptional maternity care with a consultant obstetrician
- Safe, personalised care from 50+ leading consultant obstetricians
- The UK's only private on-site neonatal intensive care unit
- Resident obstetric anaesthetist available 24/7
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Consultant-led delivery at HCA UK
Why choose us?
Whether this is your first child or you've given birth before, it’s natural to want to do what’s best for you and your baby throughout your pregnancy. Choosing a delivery led by an experienced consultant obstetrician ensures you’ll receive expert, safe and personalised care from the moment you tell us you’re pregnant.
It’s a reassurance that can make all the difference if you have a complex or higher risk pregnancy, with the whole journey overseen by a consultant who specialises in pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal care. However, we’re also here for you if you simply want the peace of mind that comes from having a highly trained specialist by your side, at every stage.
Our state-of-the-art maternity unit at The Portland Hospital in London is home to over 50 leading consultant obstetricians, who are recognised as some of the world's most prominent birthing experts. It’s just one example of HCA UK’s dedication to the safety of mothers and babies.
1:1care through labour and delivery from an assigned, expert midwife
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
Consultant-led delivery
Our consultant-led maternity care at The Portland Hospital includes everything from informative open evenings to personalised care with regular obstetrician consultations, 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.
CONSULTANT-LED DELIVERY
What to expect
From the moment you share the wonderful news of your pregnancy to the day you depart with your newborn, we’re dedicated to making your journey as smooth and comfortable as possible.
As the UK's only fully private maternity hospital, you’ll benefit from The Portland’s state-of-the-art facilities, expert midwives and specialist nurses, all here to support you. It’s everything you need to feel reassured and well-prepared, from your first consultation to post-recovery.
If you have any questions or concerns, simply reach out to our friendly and compassionate consultant-led team. If you’re using private medical insurance, it’s a good idea to make sure that you’re covered for maternity care at this early stage. We suggest that you obtain written confirmation which can be kept in your hospital records.
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Choosing your consultant
Perhaps your GP or a friend or family member have recommended a particular specialist to you, or you may have come to us independently. Either way, getting the right consultant fit is key so do take your time and consider carefully before deciding. We suggest you start by exploring the profiles of our consultant obstetricians at The Portland and contacting several to discuss the criteria that are important to you. Our Consultant Search makes it easy.
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Personalised antenatal care
At your first appointment, your consultant will conduct a detailed assessment to review your health and pregnancy. You’ll have the chance to share your medical and pregnancy history, ask questions and address any concerns you may have. Your consultant will work with you to create a personalised birth plan, considering your history and specific concerns, and they’ll book in your baby's delivery at The Portland too. You'll have regular ante-natal check-ups and scans throughout your pregnancy with your chosen consultant. They’ll use these to help monitor your pregnancy, making sure that everything is expertly taken care of at every stage.
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Midwifery support and tailored birth plan
Your consultant obstetrician will work alongside an expert midwifery team. You’ll be invited to meet them to discuss and further shape your birth plan. They’ll put your preferences at the heart of the planning process, whether you're exploring various birthing positions or considering a water birth. This meeting gives you another opportunity to ask any questions you may still have and raise any outstanding concerns. You’ll have an expert midwife assigned one-to-one to you throughout your labour and delivery.
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Supportive labour and delivery
When it’s time for your baby's arrival, your consultant will be involved in managing your labour, pain relief and any necessary medical decisions. Should any complications arise, they’re there to step in immediately and ensure the safest possible outcome.
Your dedicated midwife will assist your consultant obstetrician, providing continuous support and expert, personalised care throughout your labour. When labour begins, they’ll be your side in our state-of-the-art birthing suites equipped with birthing balls, mats and en-suite bathrooms. 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 will enhance your comfort during delivery.
If you’re having a planned caesarean, your consultant will lead the procedure for a smooth and carefully managed birth experience. HCA UK’s outstanding facilities include the UK's only private on-site neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a special care baby unit and an adult high-dependency unit. With a dedicated emergency theatre on the labour ward, there's no delay in transfers. It’s everything you need to ensure a safe delivery for you and your baby.
Your dedicated midwife will assist your consultant obstetrician, providing continuous support and expert, personalised care throughout your labour. When labour begins, they’ll be your side in our state-of-the-art birthing suites equipped with birthing balls, mats and en-suite bathrooms. 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 will enhance your comfort during delivery.
If you’re having a planned caesarean, your consultant will lead the procedure for a smooth and carefully managed birth experience. HCA UK’s outstanding facilities include the UK's only private on-site neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a special care baby unit and an adult high-dependency unit. With a dedicated emergency theatre on the labour ward, there's no delay in transfers. It’s everything you need to ensure a safe delivery for you and your baby.
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Compassionate postnatal care
After your baby's arrival, we’ll take care of you both in one of our comfortable private rooms. Your dedicated midwife and the whole team will be on hand to provide you with invaluable support and advice, including help with initial feeding and newborn care and emotional wellbeing support.
Your consultant will provide postnatal check-ups to monitor your health and ensure a smooth transition as you begin your exciting new chapter as a mother.
Your consultant will 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 exceptional consultant-led delivery service 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
Consultant-led delivery FAQ
A consultant-led delivery means your pregnancy and birth are overseen by an experienced consultant obstetrician – a doctor who specialises in pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal care. It’s typically recommended for women who have complex pregnancies. However, you can also opt for a consultant to oversee your pregnancy and birth if you simply want the peace of mind that comes with having a highly trained specialist by your side.
Your consultant will book an appointment for you to meet the midwifery team, who’ll discuss our comprehensive range of maternity services and how they dovetail with your bespoke birthing plan. You’ll have one assigned midwife who will provide dedicated and personal care throughout your delivery and assist your consultant obstetrician.
Your consultant will book an appointment for you to meet the midwifery team, who’ll discuss our comprehensive range of maternity services and how they dovetail with your bespoke birthing plan. You’ll have one assigned midwife who will provide dedicated and personal care throughout your delivery and assist your consultant obstetrician.
While any expectant mother can choose consultant-led care, it is particularly recommended if:
- You have a pre-existing medical condition such as diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure
- You’ve had complications in a previous pregnancy
- You’re over 40 years old
- You’ve a high or low BMI (above 30 or below 18)
- You’re expecting twins, triplets or more
- You’re undergoing fertility treatment such as IVF or you’re having a donor egg pregnancy
- You’d simply prefer the continuity of care that comes with having one consultant obstetrician throughout your pregnancy and birth
You can self-refer for an obstetrician delivery, although you may need a GP referral if you’re claiming it through private medical insurance.
- Extra reassurance and medical expertise: For an especially high-risk pregnancy, a consultant-led approach ensures you have specialist support at all times.
- Tailored birth plan: Your consultant will work with you to create a personalised birth plan, considering your medical history and any specific concerns you have.
- Immediate access to advanced medical support: If complications arise during labour, your consultant is aware of your circumstances and can quickly make decisions to keep both you and your baby safe.
- Continuity of care: A consultant-led approach means you'll have continuity and familiarity with your obstetrician, offering trust and reassurance throughout your journey.
Both approaches are excellent, but a consultant-led approach offers more extensive medical expertise and intervention, should you need it.
Midwife-led care is suitable for uncomplicated pregnancies and births. It focuses on a natural, low-intervention delivery, with midwives providing emotional support and monitoring. For many women, this is a great approach.
However, if you have a higher-risk pregnancy because you have a medical condition or other complication that may require specialised care, consultant-led care can deliver the specialised expertise and reassurance you may need, such as a planned caesarean section or an assisted delivery.
Midwife-led care is suitable for uncomplicated pregnancies and births. It focuses on a natural, low-intervention delivery, with midwives providing emotional support and monitoring. For many women, this is a great approach.
However, if you have a higher-risk pregnancy because you have a medical condition or other complication that may require specialised care, consultant-led care can deliver the specialised expertise and reassurance you may need, such as a planned caesarean section or an assisted delivery.
Yes, while it’s suitable for complex pregnancies, that doesn't mean you’ll automatically have a medicalised or interventionist birth.
Many women can give birth naturally with this type of care and your consultant will work with you to develop a birth plan that reflects your choices, such as aiming for a vaginal delivery or choosing pain relief options such as a water birth or gas and air.
If any complications arise during labour, your consultant can step in with medical interventions, but the primary goal remains to support you in achieving the birth experience you want.
Many women can give birth naturally with this type of care and your consultant will work with you to develop a birth plan that reflects your choices, such as aiming for a vaginal delivery or choosing pain relief options such as a water birth or gas and air.
If any complications arise during labour, your consultant can step in with medical interventions, but the primary goal remains to support you in achieving the birth experience you want.
You’ll usually have between 7 and 10 antenatal appointments with your consultant, at regular intervals throughout your pregnancy. If yours is a complicated pregnancy or you’re expecting multiple babies, then you may need additional appointments in the later stages.
If you need to speak to your consultant or midwife at any point, you’re more than welcome to contact them. We’re here to help and support you at every stage.
If you need to speak to your consultant or midwife at any point, you’re more than welcome to contact them. We’re here to help and support you at every stage.
Yes, you can, in fact we strongly encourage having a trusted support person with you during labour. Our en-suite delivery rooms are designed to be spacious, and they offer enough room to accommodate an extra bed for your birth partner, so they can be there with you when you need them.
Going into premature labour can be scary, but with the right support and expert intervention your baby can go on to have a perfectly healthy development. Your consultant and their medical team will be fully prepared to manage the situation should it happen to you. Your health and the progress of labour will be monitored, and your consultant will make quick decisions regarding interventions to ensure a safe delivery for your baby.
Our NICU is specially equipped with advanced technology and staffed by neonatal specialists who’re experienced in caring for premature infants. The team will work closely with your consultant to ensure that your baby receives the appropriate monitoring, giving you peace of mind that they’re in the very best hands.
“Our consultant-led care offers the guidance of a skilled obstetrician, meaning that you’ll benefit from a tailored birth plan, expert supervision and immediate access to any interventions that may be needed to keep you and your new baby safe. We're prepared for all eventualities, which means you are, too.”
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