NHS baby 100 arrives at Harry and Meghan hospital during coronavirus pandemic

100th birth of a NHS baby at the private Portland hospital
NHS

The birth of the 100th “NHS baby” at a London private hospital used by royalty and celebrities was announced today.

Baby Tony was born at The Portland hospital for Women and Children.

His mother Krystina had originally been due to give birth at Barnet hospital but became the 100th mum-to-be to be transferred to the Portland during the coronavirus pandemic.

The hospital, near Harley Street, is delivering higher-risk NHS babies to allow London NHS hospitals to focus on treating Covid-19 patients.

It was chosen by Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex for the birth of Archie last May.

Archie was born at The Portland hospital
REUTERS

Krystina and husband Mario, who had been trying to conceive for two years, were advised against a natural birth when a 37-week scan showed the baby had grown big in the womb.

Tony was delivered by caesarean by obstetrician Christian Barnick on April 24.

Krystina said: “I had always wanted a natural birth - it had been in our birthing plan from the beginning - but the baby had other ideas!”

Births at The Portland, whose celebrity patients have included Victoria Beckham, Liz Hurley and Kate Winslet, normally cost from about £6,100 but it is only charging the NHS the basic cost of care.

The Portland Hospital for Women and Children in London
PA

The couple, whose surname has not been disclosed, felt the hospital did everything possible to minimise the risk of coronavirus.

Krystina said: “Before admission, I was tested for the virus, and my husband was temperature checked on arrival, which was immediately reassuring.

"We truly felt that the hospital was taking a lot of precautions to keep us safe.”

Mother and baby were discharged home after one night. Krystina, a first-time mother, was helped to breastfeed.

“It really helped me bond with Tony, especially as I was unable to change him or pick him up at the beginning,” she said. “I’m still breastfeeding now, two weeks later.”

Mario said: “It was anxious time, there’s no denying that, especially as we’d built up to this moment for so long.

“But I can honestly say, from the second we entered The Portland Hospital, every member of staff were amazing. We couldn’t have asked for a more magical experience.

"That first moment, when the midwife closed the door to our room and we were alone together for the first time as a family of three – it was so special and something we will never forget.

"We couldn’t be more grateful to the doctors and midwives who helped make it so wonderful. Honestly the care we all received was second-to-none - we couldn’t fault it.

"We've already decided that if we’re lucky enough to get pregnant again, that we without a doubt will be choosing The Portland Hospital.

"After this experience, we honestly wouldn’t want to give birth anywhere else.”

The only downside is that the coronavirus pandemic has prevented them showing off Tony to family and friends, due to the social distancing restrictions.

“Of course, having a new baby is tough during coronavirus as we desperately want to show him off to family and friends, but that will come with time,” Mario said.

“Right now, we’re incredibly grateful to all be happy and healthy.”

The hospital, in Great Portland Street, which is run by HCA Healthcare, delivered its first NHS babies at the start of April.

Twins Ellis (right) and Kayan

It is working in partnership with NHS hospitals such as North Middlesex, in Edmonton, The Whittington, in Archway, and Barnet – handling higher-risk planned births, such as those of twins and some caesareans.

Twin boys Ellis and Kyan, from Barnet, and baby girl Elisa from Waltham Abbey, were the first to be born.

The Portland is the UK’s largest private children’s hospital. It has a 10-bed intensive care unit, 46 paediatric beds and 155 consultant paediatricians who treat children from birth to the age of 18.

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