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
World-class maternity care with a consultant obstetrician.
What is a consultant-led delivery?
The Portland Hospital's maternity unit is home to more than 50 leading consultant obstetricians, many of whom are considered to be among the world’s most prominent birthing experts.
During the later stages of your pregnancy your consultant will book an appointment for you and your partner to meet The Portland midwifery team. They will discuss your plans for delivery at the hospital and talk through the Hospital maternity services to help with preparation for the upcoming delivery. You can self-refer to a consultant, though you may need a GP referral if claiming through private insurance.
When the exciting day arrives for you to give birth to your new baby, one of our highly experienced midwives will provide personal care throughout your delivery and assist the consultant obstetrician. The midwives will continue to provide care for you whilst you remain in the hospital post-delivery, providing invaluable support with areas such as feeding your new baby and support for you as a new mum.
Three simple steps to consultant-led delivery
Use our 'Consultant search' option to find consultant obstetrician who is practising at The Portland Hospital. Alternatively you may have been recommended a particular consultant by your GP, friend or family member.
You may also wish to contact several to discuss your personal birth preferences, their fees, consulting room location, qualifications, gender, languages spoken or other criteria to ensure you have the most appropriate consultant for your birth.
Your consultant obstetrician will advise you on antenatal screening, scans, etc. and make the necessary booking for the birth of your baby at The Portland Hospital (please note, any additional test are chargeable).
If you have a private medical insurance policy, it is advisable at this stage to check the circumstances under which you may be covered for maternity care. You should obtain this confirmation in writing, as our hospital admissions department will likely request to see this.
Following your booking being secured by your chosen consultant obstetrician, you will be asked to attend the midwifery booking clinic. Here you will discuss plans for your delivery with our midwifery team, they will take a record of your medical and pregnancy history and perform a blood test if indicated. Please bring any questions you may have with you.
Patient experience
Fiona's high-risk pregnancy
Fiona was naturally concerned when she was diagnosed with a serious form of placenta praevia — a condition where the placenta blocks the opening to the cervix.
Natural delivery is impossible for women with placenta praevia. There is also a high chance of bleeding during pregnancy, which can put both mother and baby at risk. While mild placenta praevia is a common condition, the type Fiona had - type four -is very rare.
Mr Joseph Iskaros, her consultant obstetrician at The Portland Hospital, made detailed plans for the birth. This involved gathering a multidisciplinary team of 15 consultants and nurses who could be on hand to offer their expertise if needed. A month before her planned caesarean delivery at 37 weeks, Fiona, her husband Ashley and their one-year-old daughter Chloe moved up to London from their home in Surrey to be close to the hospital, just in case. Thankfully, the day of her c-section arrived without any further problems and she gave birth to a healthy son, Daniel. However, soon after Mr Iskaros removed the placenta, Fiona started to bleed. The team in the Portland Hospital's on-site high dependency unit were ready.