The Best Maternity Hospitals in London To Have Your Baby

When I found out I was pregnant with my first child, the first thing I googled was, “What are the best maternity hospitals in London?” and “Where are the best hospitals in London to have my baby? After a rather difficult experience to get pregnant, I knew I wanted the best care I could get with the NHS and some of the hospitals near me in North London were listed as the “10 Worst Maternity Hospitals in London” which terrified me. So I decided that I’d be willing to drive a little further for a better NICU ward and facilities and ended up choosing UCLH.

It can seem daunting to choose a hospital in London to give birth to your baby at and there are many factors to consider: 

• private or NHS care
• facilities like birthing pools and private rooms
• high risk care for high risk pregnancies or NICU

The Best Hospitals in London to Have Your Baby

–St Thomas’ Hospital (Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust) 

-Chelsea and Westminster Hospital (Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust) 

-The Portland Hospital (HCA Healthcare UK)

 -University College Hospital (University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)

-Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital (Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust)

-The Lindo Wing (St Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust)

-King’s College Hospital (King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust)

-Royal Free Hospital (Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

St Thomas’ Hospital (Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust)

One of my good friends used to work here as a NICU nurse and had nothing but praise for the hospital. It is based in Central London, in Westminster, and is a well known hospital for excelling in maternity care. It has excellent options for NHS and private care. It offers both midwife led and consultant led care and a birth centre with birthing pools and private rooms. One of the things I was very concerned about when I was having a child was the option for 24/7 access to an epidural which St Thomas’ offers. It has excellent care for high risk pregnancies and a brilliant level 3 NICU. 

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital (Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust)

Known for its excellent maternity care, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is located in Fulham, Chelsea and offers both private (the well known Kensington Wing with its excellent rooms) and NHS care. If you’re dreaming of a water birth, the hospital has a midwife-led birth centre with facilities for having a water birth. The 24/7 consultant-led care might also persuade you. They have a level 3 NICU at Chelsea and Westminster. 

The Portland Hospital (HCA Healthcare UK)

The Portland Hospital, located on Portland Street in Marylebone is a very well known private hospital and known for its excellent care and facilities. Many celebrities have given birth here because it is known for its luxury services (high end spacious rooms and dining services) and remarkable care. With top obstetricians, on demand epidurals and elective c-sections, this hospital is often a first choice for individuals who are willing to invest in the birth of their choice. The Portland is the only private maternity hospital in London that has an on-site NICU. 

University College Hospital (University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)

UCLH was my first choice because of its world renowned NICU department. I wanted to be prepared with the best in case anything happened. It offers NHS and private maternity care, a midwife-led birthing centre and the option for consultant care as well. I loved exploring the excellent birth pool rooms when we went on a tour of the hospital. It is a teaching hospital as well with a focus on safety and advanced care with high risk pregnancies and premature babies as they have a level 3 NICU. 

Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital (Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust)

Queen Charlotte’s is located in Shepherd’s Bush (so you can stock up on maternity clothes and essential baby items at Westfield’s when you go for midwife appointments). It is one of the oldest maternity hospitals in London and known for its excellent private and NHS maternity care. It has a birthing centre, private maternity rooms, a renowned level 3 NICU and water birth facilities that offer a “home from home” birth environment if you would prefer to be in a hospital rather than have a home birth. 

The Lindo Wing (St Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust)

“The Lindo Wing” is in Paddington and is most famous for being the hospital that many members of the Royal Family have given birth at such as Princess Diana and the Duchess of Cambridge. It really focuses on the luxury side of maternity care and has excellent private rooms, meals to order on site by their team of chefs (and a celebratory high tea when baby arrives), high end obstetric care, optional c-sections and 24/7 epidural services. 

King’s College Hospital (King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust)

King’s College is located in Denmark Hill and well known for handling high risk pregnancies. It offers consultant-led care for high risk pregnancies and has an excellent NICU. It is a well known hospital for its research in obstetric care and offers both private and NHS services. 

Royal Free Hospital (Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust)

Royal Free is based in Hampstead and offers excellent private and NHS maternity care. It has midwife-led care in its birthing centre and also offers consultant-led care. It offers specialist care for high risk pregnancies and boasts has a level 1 NICU. 

What Are The Best Hospitals in London to Birth My Baby?

There are so many factors to consider when choosing your London maternity hospital such as proximity to where you live, high risk care, high end facilities and whether you choose to go with private care or through the NHS. It can be a very personal decision and one you can decide upon with careful research. 

There are so many things to think about when you have a baby, like choosing your hospital, how to decorate the nursery, naming your little one and of course, choosing your newborn photographer! Contact us to book in your newborn photography session!