0:00:02 > 0:00:03Bring baby to you. OK.
0:00:03 > 0:00:04Well done.
0:00:04 > 0:00:08Parenthood - the great leveller.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12But if there's a way
0:00:12 > 0:00:16to make one of life's most basic rituals a little bit easier,
0:00:16 > 0:00:20there will always be someone willing to pay for it.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26The Portland in Central London
0:00:26 > 0:00:29is Britain's only private maternity hospital.
0:00:29 > 0:00:34The Portland can provide speedy access to the best care possible.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37That comes at a price.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41To follow in the footsteps of mothers like the Duchess of York
0:00:41 > 0:00:46and Victoria Beckham starts at around £10,000.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49Whenever I've heard friends of mine say,
0:00:49 > 0:00:53"Our baby was born in the Portland," I've always been like, "Ooh!"
0:00:53 > 0:00:56With so many luxury services on offer,
0:00:56 > 0:01:02from 24-hour fine dining to silver handcrafted baby mementos,
0:01:02 > 0:01:04it's easy to spend much more.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08In my time at the Portland I've seen somebody spend over 500,000.
0:01:08 > 0:01:14This week, the hospital is bracing itself for a huge influx of VIPs...
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Sometimes it's very tempting just to pop in and say,
0:01:17 > 0:01:19"Hello, please could I have your autograph?"
0:01:19 > 0:01:24..all expecting an exclusively tailored five-star birth.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26It should be that they don't want for nothing,
0:01:26 > 0:01:28and we deliver a perfect service.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31You could have one room, or two, or you could have a whole floor.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34But can the staff cope with juggling their everyday clientele
0:01:34 > 0:01:38with an onslaught of celebrities and VVIPs?
0:01:38 > 0:01:41A lot of parents' priorities are,
0:01:41 > 0:01:43"Is my maternity nurse going to be there?
0:01:43 > 0:01:45"Is my nanny going to be there?"
0:01:45 > 0:01:48While they're here I say to them, "Enjoy your baby."
0:02:04 > 0:02:08This morning, returning customers Bella and her husband Leon
0:02:08 > 0:02:11are due to have their second child at the hospital.
0:02:11 > 0:02:12If you'd like to follow me.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15Seven years ago, Leon moved to London from the Far East
0:02:15 > 0:02:17to work in the City.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20The couple now live in the affluent area of Hampstead.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22Last year I had my baby girl here.
0:02:22 > 0:02:2619 months later, I'm here again for a baby boy.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29In four hours, Bella will be having a Caesarean.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32She will then spend three days recovering
0:02:32 > 0:02:34in one of their standard rooms.
0:02:34 > 0:02:39Even at £1,200 per night, it still comes with medical-grade furniture.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41Careful. You all right?
0:02:41 > 0:02:42Yeah!
0:02:42 > 0:02:45If you've got any queries regarding the room and that,
0:02:45 > 0:02:47speak to the sister in charge on the floor.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50- Sure. OK.- How's the room? - It's close enough to a hotel.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53Yeah, it's got similar features,
0:02:53 > 0:02:56but I think the last room we were at had a bit of a view.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Besides cutting-edge medical care,
0:02:58 > 0:03:00would-be mothers come to the Portland
0:03:00 > 0:03:03because they know all their wishes will be catered for.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06We're just going to have a little wander round.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08As long as they can pay for them.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11I mean, this is smaller...
0:03:11 > 0:03:15- It's a smaller space.- Yeah.- But you've got the sitting room here.
0:03:15 > 0:03:21Bella decides to upgrade to one of the hospital's luxury suites.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24I just don't want the door to be facing the bed.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27It's a Chinese thing, maybe. I don't know...
0:03:27 > 0:03:29That's my excuse.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32Enjoy your stay, and if you need anything, give me a call.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34- Thank you.- Thank you.- Lovely.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38Why would you want to come back? Because it's not cheap.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41No, it's not. £16,000 to £18,000.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45I mean, he's a financial analyst, so he's got a spreadsheet
0:03:45 > 0:03:48of various cost options, analyses, all lined up,
0:03:48 > 0:03:50but I'm not going to have a football team,
0:03:50 > 0:03:52so he's not going to go bankrupt.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55So, yeah, I mean, we just need to trade off
0:03:55 > 0:04:00a couple of posh holidays, you know, and use that money for this.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03You know, I think it's the right thing to do.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05Happy wife, happy life.
0:04:07 > 0:04:12For some Portland patients, £18,000 is a drop in the ocean.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15We've got quite a few VIPs coming in,
0:04:15 > 0:04:18so we just need to sort out the rooms, requests,
0:04:18 > 0:04:20make sure we're on top of everything.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23The hospital's VIP liaison team handle bookings
0:04:23 > 0:04:25that can total millions of pounds a year.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28I don't know what they were all doing nine months ago!
0:04:28 > 0:04:30All having a party, I think.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33The team are preparing for a busy week ahead,
0:04:33 > 0:04:36with a wave of high-net-worth patients.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40The VIPs' high expectations
0:04:40 > 0:04:43create a unique set of challenges for the staff.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47- Hello, Jane. How are you? - Fine, thank you.- Hello, Fiona.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50For CEO Janene, it promises to be a highly profitable week.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52Thank you, ladies.
0:04:52 > 0:04:53It is important to have VIPs.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57You know, you only need to pick up a "Hello!" magazine, you know,
0:04:57 > 0:05:00and see which patients we've had in the hospital.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04Unfortunately, maternity, you know, it's like buses.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06They all come at the same time.
0:05:06 > 0:05:11They all come in the same week, you know, and you can't stop that.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13So next one is a slightly bigger one,
0:05:13 > 0:05:16so our VIP, she's requested three rooms.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18So she'll take a whole wing.
0:05:18 > 0:05:24We have some huge requests at times, where a patient wants a whole floor,
0:05:24 > 0:05:27they want to refurbish, they want to redecorate,
0:05:27 > 0:05:31and it's important for our brand,
0:05:31 > 0:05:33and for our reputation,
0:05:33 > 0:05:35that we meet those requests.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Again, regarding the nursing,
0:05:37 > 0:05:41she wants special nursing for herself and for baby.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43Presumably that's day and night?
0:05:43 > 0:05:44Yes, absolutely.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48Making money actually makes sense, because long-term,
0:05:48 > 0:05:50the only way I make money
0:05:50 > 0:05:54is by running the best-quality service I can possibly run.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00We try our hardest to make sure the patient has the right experience.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02Flowers is a big one.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05So you'd have walls of flowers, and with your bigger VIPs,
0:06:05 > 0:06:09they'll bring in their own chairs, coffee tables, sofas.
0:06:09 > 0:06:14So it's just home from home, having their own, like, luxury comforts.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22For many of the hospital's VIP guests,
0:06:22 > 0:06:25the perfect baby experience doesn't end at the Portland.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27It's just the beginning.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31There's a whole world of luxury awaiting their newborns.
0:06:31 > 0:06:36We do have lots of people who have their babies at the Portland.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39We've had people from the sports world, pop stars,
0:06:39 > 0:06:41television presenters.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44I mean, so many of them we're not allowed to say nowadays,
0:06:44 > 0:06:45with non-disclosure agreements.
0:06:45 > 0:06:51One client, we went and installed an amazing nursery in the Portland,
0:06:51 > 0:06:52and that just looked incredible,
0:06:52 > 0:06:55and that was obviously only for a short period of time,
0:06:55 > 0:06:58and then it was moved to her country residence.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00We have things that start at £35,
0:07:00 > 0:07:03and then we go up to four-poster cots.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07That can be anywhere between 12,000 to 14,000,
0:07:07 > 0:07:10depending on the fabric and the bedspread and monogramming.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13And then we have this lovely Moses basket,
0:07:13 > 0:07:16which is probably one of our most popular things,
0:07:16 > 0:07:19which has Chantilly lace on the exterior,
0:07:19 > 0:07:21and then silk on the interior,
0:07:21 > 0:07:25and that retails just over £3,000.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27I mean, the level of perfection that's required
0:07:27 > 0:07:30is quite exacting at times.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41Bella's Caesarean is about to take place.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43Sorry, I need to go to the ladies'.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48At the Portland, Caesareans don't just happen for medical reasons.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50Part of the hospital's attraction
0:07:50 > 0:07:54is that mothers can choose exactly the type of birth they want.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59Yes, you can label the choice that it's a too-posh-to-push preference,
0:07:59 > 0:08:04but I've got a very low pain threshold, and I know myself.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06I just won't be able to put up with the pain.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09The journey really starts after the baby gets here.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12It's like getting from A to B by business class,
0:08:12 > 0:08:13or by taking a bus,
0:08:13 > 0:08:17but the end point is really to have the baby here safely.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21Unlike the NHS, Bella's paid for a package that allows her
0:08:21 > 0:08:24to choose which consultant will deliver her baby.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29She's picked Dr Joseph, who also delivered her daughter here.
0:08:33 > 0:08:34- Hey.- Hi.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36Good morning. You all right?
0:08:36 > 0:08:37- Yes.- Come through.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40This is your room. Hello.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44Margaret, could you pass me a hat, please? Thank you, darling.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46Bella is a lovely girl.
0:08:46 > 0:08:47That looks lovely.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49When she got pregnant again she contacted me.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51"I'm pregnant again. Can you look after me?"
0:08:51 > 0:08:53"Yes, of course, with pleasure."
0:08:53 > 0:08:55So how old is your little one now?
0:08:55 > 0:08:57- 19 months.- 19 months.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59- Yeah.- Already. That's fantastic.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01You are the star in our family.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03We've got a photo of you lifting her out.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05Really? Is that right? Ah, very nice.
0:09:05 > 0:09:11It is such a privilege to be part of somebody's life like that.
0:09:11 > 0:09:12One, two, three.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Of course, in the NHS practice,
0:09:14 > 0:09:17it's not only me that's looking after a patient.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19There are a big team of doctors,
0:09:19 > 0:09:21so it becomes a little bit diluted because of that.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25You've done this before. You know what to do.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30There are a lot of misconceptions about the Portland.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34People say, "Do you do tummy tucks at the same time as a Caesarean?"
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Well, I can absolutely assure you we do not do tummy tucks
0:09:37 > 0:09:39at the same time as a Caesarean section.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41Now, we can still talk to each other.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44I still can hear you, and you can still hear me.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46So if you have any queries, any concerns, just talk to me.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50We have patients requesting to deliver at seven minutes past seven
0:09:50 > 0:09:53on the 7th of July, and these things are possible,
0:09:53 > 0:09:54but they're actually only possible
0:09:54 > 0:09:57if you were lining up to deliver at that time anyway.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00- You OK? - Yeah, I'm fine, thank you.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03So, yeah, we will do our best to match expectations,
0:10:03 > 0:10:06but there are some things that we simply can't do and won't do.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09Just trying to find our way in.
0:10:12 > 0:10:18It is funny, because I wanted to be a pilot when I was a kid.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20OK, let's have a swab and a stick, please.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22But my mum is a gynaecologist.
0:10:22 > 0:10:23OK. More.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26And that's it. That's my life, and I love it.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29Yeah. Scalpel. And suction ready, please.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32If I'm able to do NHS, I prefer to do that,
0:10:32 > 0:10:34as well as the private sector,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37because it makes me sort of a more well-rounded doctor.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41But in the private sector, hopefully you make some money,
0:10:41 > 0:10:42so that's quite nice.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44A little bit of pressure...
0:10:44 > 0:10:46- a little bit of pressure on your tummy.- OK.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51Hello!
0:10:51 > 0:10:53And look at that.
0:10:53 > 0:10:54There's a cord around the neck.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56OK.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58Hello!
0:10:58 > 0:11:01Hello, world! Hello.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03This is Mummy and Daddy.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06They're the most important thing in the world. Hey!
0:11:06 > 0:11:09BABY CRIES
0:11:09 > 0:11:13Dr Joseph has delivered Bella and Leon a baby boy,
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Harrison, weighing just over seven pounds.
0:11:18 > 0:11:19Congratulations, Daddy.
0:11:19 > 0:11:20Hello.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22You've got your son now.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25You're going to do some football, yeah, on a Saturday?
0:11:25 > 0:11:26Rugby union.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34It's just so nice having a new life come into this world,
0:11:34 > 0:11:36and you are there, part of it.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39Of course, this happens between doctors and patients all the time,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42but in the private sector you tend to know each other quite well,
0:11:42 > 0:11:44and we become very good friends at the end of it.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46I care about them and they know that,
0:11:46 > 0:11:49and equally they care about me, some way.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54Bella now has three days to recover in her private suite.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02During her stay, she will have the option
0:12:02 > 0:12:06to send baby Harrison to the hospital's 24-hour nursery...
0:12:07 > 0:12:12..where Pat is currently looking after six newborns.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14Sometimes the mums bring the babies
0:12:14 > 0:12:18because they want to go outside for a short period.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21In this case, I don't know.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23They just brought the baby in.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25So this one here
0:12:25 > 0:12:26is so mum can sleep.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30It's a shame this isn't on offer to all mums,
0:12:30 > 0:12:35because sleep deprivation is really difficult to deal with,
0:12:35 > 0:12:37and this is their baby.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39This is what they've waited for nine months for,
0:12:39 > 0:12:43and we have the privilege of helping them through the first few days,
0:12:43 > 0:12:47and that is a privilege, to be a part of a baby's life.
0:12:47 > 0:12:53But some people come here and they think this is run like a hotel.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56So we have some that have said to me,
0:12:56 > 0:12:58"Can you get me the manager of the hotel?",
0:12:58 > 0:13:01because they actually maybe want to speak to someone,
0:13:01 > 0:13:05and I have to say, "No, it's not a hotel. It's a hospital."
0:13:05 > 0:13:06They go, "Oh, yeah. So it is!"
0:13:11 > 0:13:14The hospital has several operating theatres,
0:13:14 > 0:13:17three of which are in the basement,
0:13:17 > 0:13:19as are the kitchens.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22All nice and tidy.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26The Portland employs nine chefs and 18 catering assistants.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Hello, team. How are you?
0:13:29 > 0:13:30Looking pretty in pink still.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33Thank you. It goes with my skin colour.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35Oh, it does.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39I think the most challenging piece for us is around the catering,
0:13:39 > 0:13:42around the room, and the environment that we provide,
0:13:42 > 0:13:45because actually, foremost, we're a hospital.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47We have to provide safe clinical care,
0:13:47 > 0:13:49but we want to dovetail that
0:13:49 > 0:13:53with a fantastic experience that is akin to a hotel.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57Janene has just headhunted Sam from an exclusive members' club
0:13:57 > 0:13:59to become her head chef.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01Yeah, I come from a fine-dining background.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04You know, the patients are not ill, really.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07They're just here, you know, deliver babies,
0:14:07 > 0:14:11and they can eat anything they want, and if they want fine dining,
0:14:11 > 0:14:14or a nice piece of sea bass, you know, we do it.
0:14:14 > 0:14:20To make sure that all hotel services maintain the five-star standard,
0:14:20 > 0:14:24ex-Army man Paul has to pay attention to every detail.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26- Got mint oil on it?- Uh-huh.
0:14:26 > 0:14:27- Basil?- Yeah.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Strawberries? Then you blowtorch them?
0:14:29 > 0:14:33- Blowtorch the strawberries. They're lovely.- Yeah, really nice.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36It's the little things that they look for.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39That's the thing that takes something from being great
0:14:39 > 0:14:42to fantastic, and they go, "Ooh! Wasn't expecting that."
0:14:42 > 0:14:46The challenge is to exceed people's expectations.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49Lilia, grab a pastry and tell me what it tastes like.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51- Come on.- I think we should have them next week again.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53- It's very good.- Yeah?- Yes.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00With the impending arrival of VIPs,
0:15:00 > 0:15:04the staff are about to enter into one of the most demanding,
0:15:04 > 0:15:07but profitable, periods of the year.
0:15:08 > 0:15:09But there's a problem.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12- Hiya.- Morning.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14- You OK?- I'm very good. Let's have a look at this baby.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16- Up on this couch.- Let's do it.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18When the A-list patients arrive,
0:15:18 > 0:15:22Michaela, head of the VIP team, won't be able to help.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25She'll be in one of the rooms having her own baby.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28It's my second. I have a little girl already.
0:15:28 > 0:15:29I had her on the NHS.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32I had an amazing midwife experience with her.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34So this time it's going to be completely different.
0:15:34 > 0:15:35Woo!
0:15:35 > 0:15:39We offer a very, very generous staff discount.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41So, baby's head down...
0:15:42 > 0:15:45It's really a token donation to the hospital.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47We write off the majority of the costs.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50I don't want to see your ear, son. I want to see your face!
0:15:50 > 0:15:53And it's wonderful for us to have somebody walking around pregnant,
0:15:53 > 0:15:57and when potential patients ask, "Where are you going to deliver?",
0:15:57 > 0:15:58she says, "At the Portland".
0:15:58 > 0:16:00Bingo.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03Afterwards, when she returns to work,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05she becomes a real advocate for our service.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07You know, to be able to say first-hand to mums
0:16:07 > 0:16:13exactly what it's like from both sides is an incredible asset.
0:16:13 > 0:16:14Oh!
0:16:14 > 0:16:16I want to meet him.
0:16:16 > 0:16:17Well, not going to be too long.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19No, I know.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23- Thank you, Dino.- No worries.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- I love that.- I like that one.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29Just the hand in front of the face.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32What do you think that's going to be like, giving birth at work?
0:16:32 > 0:16:35I know that they're going to completely look after us,
0:16:35 > 0:16:36so I'm actually excited.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40And I've heard the food is amazing, so I actually want to try it.
0:16:40 > 0:16:41Have you never tried the food?
0:16:41 > 0:16:44No, I haven't. I'm too busy working to try the food.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46You see it going past to all the patients' rooms.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48Like, "Ooh, can't wait to try that."
0:16:48 > 0:16:54While Michaela's pregnancy may turn out to be a business asset,
0:16:54 > 0:16:58it means she's going to have to hand over important VIP duties
0:16:58 > 0:17:00to her assistant, Phoebe.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02It's going to be busy, Phoebs.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06It'll be a learning experience.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09- Yeah. Chuck you in at the deep end.- Mmm!
0:17:09 > 0:17:13I'm getting those looks from the pregnant ladies I'm talking to,
0:17:13 > 0:17:15like, "Why are you still working now?"
0:17:15 > 0:17:18So I know it's time to kind of hand over the baton.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20- So, with the VIPs...- Mm-hm.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24..obviously I've actually never spoken to any of them before.
0:17:24 > 0:17:25Don't be worried about them.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29- Just treat them exactly the same as you would with anyone else.- Yeah.
0:17:29 > 0:17:30Don't be daunted by them at all.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33They're just the exact same, like, expecting a baby.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35So that's definitely my main advice to you.
0:17:35 > 0:17:36Yeah. They're just a couple.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39Exactly the same, just like any other patient.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41Normally the contact will come through via the PA,
0:17:41 > 0:17:43so a PA would contact me.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46- Their PA, or the consultant's? - Their PA.- OK.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49- With the VIPs, the key thing is just building that trust with them.- Yeah.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51It's an important time for them,
0:17:51 > 0:17:54and they can be just a little bit more anxious.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56So it's definitely treating them normally,
0:17:56 > 0:17:58but meeting all their requests.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04The VIPs may well account for the largest single payments,
0:18:04 > 0:18:07but it's patients on medical insurance
0:18:07 > 0:18:10that are just as crucial to profits.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13They account for over half the hospital's income.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18Nick and wife Kinga's baby is due any day.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21Their £12,000 birth package is covered by insurance.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24- How are you today?- Good.- You're feeling fine? Come and sit down.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28- Surprised that we're still pregnant. - I know!- Me too. There goes my bet.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30I know. Never mind.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33- So you're actually due tomorrow, aren't you, anyway?- Right.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37Like a quarter of the Portland's patients,
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Nick and Kinga have come from abroad.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43They live in North Africa with their four children.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48After a modest upbringing and time in the military,
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Nick now works for the US Embassy in Morocco.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56This is our home. Family area, entertaining area.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00Got about six bedrooms, five bathrooms,
0:19:00 > 0:19:03reading areas, kids' rooms.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05- That's my room. - This is your room.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07We met in the Netherlands.
0:19:07 > 0:19:08I was still in the Air Force,
0:19:08 > 0:19:11and you were taking a break from college.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13- I was 20.- I was 24.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15Actually, you were still 23 when I met you.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18- True.- Right. - And I swept you off your feet.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Nick was a single dad, so he was by himself with two kids.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24Yeah. Kids were two and four.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28And I just felt like Nick really needed help and support,
0:19:28 > 0:19:30especially his house.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33- Still do.- It was so messy.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37So hopefully the head is a bit lower down today.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45The American Embassy recommended the Portland to Kinga.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50The Embassy are paying for her medical bills,
0:19:50 > 0:19:54as well as the entire family temporarily relocating
0:19:54 > 0:19:59to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02I don't think that is an option for many families,
0:20:02 > 0:20:06so we consider ourselves very lucky.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09- Dirty.- Messy baby, OK, I'll get pants.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12The family have been in London for two months,
0:20:12 > 0:20:15waiting for the baby to arrive.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17Despite Nick's job continually moving them
0:20:17 > 0:20:20across the world, they've never been to England before.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22We've been all over, right?
0:20:22 > 0:20:24This baby is a world traveller.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28It's been on four different continents so far.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30We're here for the medical care
0:20:30 > 0:20:34and to make sure everything goes smoothly and to enjoy London too.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37Here you are. Baby's head is down.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40The embassy have paid for a package which includes constant access
0:20:40 > 0:20:43to a consultant and an on-call anaesthetist.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45Heart beating just there.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49But Kinga's decided she wants to try
0:20:49 > 0:20:51and give birth without pain relief.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53I just wanted to see how it's like.
0:20:53 > 0:20:58I mean, billions of women have done that throughout the centuries
0:20:58 > 0:21:02and, if they did it, I could probably do it too.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06Nick thinks I should take it as easy as possible and just take epidural,
0:21:06 > 0:21:11or whatever they give me, but I just want to say, "Hey, I did it.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15"I was tough and I did it," and my mom did it twice.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17I don't want to be a wuss.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20I want to be able to say I did it, but we'll see.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22My non-competitive edge isn't there.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24I don't...
0:21:24 > 0:21:28When the labour actually happens, I might just turn into a giant wimp
0:21:28 > 0:21:30and say, "Please just give it to me as soon as possible,
0:21:30 > 0:21:33"just right now!"
0:21:33 > 0:21:35We'll see, we'll see.
0:21:35 > 0:21:36We'll try.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38I still get in trouble for having my feet up on the bed
0:21:38 > 0:21:40drinking coffee when she was having her first.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43After, like, 17 hours of labour, I'm like, "You can do it.
0:21:43 > 0:21:44- "It's OK."- Right.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48He was holding my hand, keeping his legs up on my bed and having
0:21:48 > 0:21:52a coffee and I was going through contractions
0:21:52 > 0:21:54and it was terrible.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56What else am I supposed to do?
0:21:56 > 0:21:57I don't know.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59I don't know. "Sweetie, you're doing such a good job.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01"You're an amazing woman. Wow!
0:22:01 > 0:22:03"I can't believe you're going through this," like that.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05You could do that.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- OK.- Yeah. - Let me write that down.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09You should. Research it.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11Men! See?
0:22:20 > 0:22:24Apart from the babies, the only person not affected
0:22:24 > 0:22:30by the imminent arrival of the VIPs is Pat in the nursery.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34They're all VIPs. They're so special.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36They don't ask for anything that they can't have.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38Unlike regular hospitals,
0:22:38 > 0:22:42the average mother stays recovering in the Portland for three days.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45A lot of parents' priorities are,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48"Is my maternity nurse going to be there?
0:22:48 > 0:22:50"Is my nanny going to be there?
0:22:50 > 0:22:53"Is my housekeeping staff going to be there?"
0:22:53 > 0:22:57And the baby sort of slots in with nannies and everything else.
0:22:57 > 0:23:02While they're here, I say to them, "Enjoy your baby."
0:23:02 > 0:23:07I don't want them to miss this baby in the first few months of its life.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11After the birth of her second child,
0:23:11 > 0:23:15the nursery has allowed Bella to have some much-needed rest.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18We still had the baby back here for the feeding
0:23:18 > 0:23:23and after the feed they took him back to the nursery again,
0:23:23 > 0:23:25which meant that I could really sleep properly.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28Do you feel like his mum?
0:23:28 > 0:23:30Yes, but it's just...
0:23:30 > 0:23:34Yeah, still finding it a little bit unbelievable that it's already here,
0:23:34 > 0:23:36I'm holding him.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40It's definitely another good experience for me so far.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Having upgraded to a suite,
0:23:43 > 0:23:47there's plenty of space for Bella's parents to visit.
0:23:47 > 0:23:48I'm only here for three days.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50It's not like I'm here for three years.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53So, it's like a last little holiday before the tough work comes.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57I just want to make sure, leading up to that, I get, you know,
0:23:57 > 0:24:02a mini-break, with as much comfort and as much support as possible.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04Aww.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06So far, the Portland experience
0:24:06 > 0:24:10has cost Bella and Leon £15,000.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14That price includes afternoon tea.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17The house champagne will be extra.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21So, here at the Portland, our afternoon tea is very popular.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24It's all about making them happy.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28Just bring that smile after having a long labour.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31Very simple, clean, but there's a lot of good flavours going on.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Everything's made in-house.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35We try... We aim to please.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39That afternoon tea looks delicious.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Little jams and scones and eclairs.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47Very nice.
0:24:47 > 0:24:48There we go.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51What was the first thing you had after you had your kid?
0:24:51 > 0:24:54Oh, can't remember, actually.
0:24:54 > 0:24:55Oh, I had a bacon sandwich.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58And you never tried it?
0:24:58 > 0:24:59No.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01That's for...
0:25:01 > 0:25:03Not for us minions.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08Good afternoon, madam.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12- Hi.- My name's Aurora to serve you the afternoon tea today.
0:25:12 > 0:25:13Hello.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15Thank you.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19Hello, you want some cake, yeah?
0:25:19 > 0:25:21- Or sandwiches?- Yes.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26The night before, I just so stress out.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29I couldn't eat much, didn't sleep well.
0:25:29 > 0:25:34Knowing that they're OK, I just kind of relax a bit.
0:25:34 > 0:25:35Ooh!
0:25:35 > 0:25:37It was a big day. Emotional.
0:25:39 > 0:25:40- ALL:- Cheers.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43Cheers.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49The hospital does more than just deliver babies.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51For those hoping to become Portland mothers,
0:25:51 > 0:25:54there's a consultant who can help -
0:25:54 > 0:25:57fertility specialist Dr Sara.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01I am a gynaecologist. I used to deliver babies, but I've
0:26:01 > 0:26:03stopped doing that because, most of the time,
0:26:03 > 0:26:06I'm too busy putting babies into the womb
0:26:06 > 0:26:08rather than taking them out.
0:26:08 > 0:26:13So, I specialise in all aspects of fertility treatment.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17Moza and her husband Ahmed moved to London from Dubai six months ago
0:26:17 > 0:26:19to be treated by Dr Sara.
0:26:20 > 0:26:25Now we are three years together, and my husband,
0:26:25 > 0:26:28also he want baby from me to complete our family.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30Who doesn't want to be a mom?
0:26:33 > 0:26:36As a child, Moza had a life-threatening blood disease.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41Before she underwent chemotherapy, she had an ovary frozen
0:26:41 > 0:26:43in the hope that one day she could become pregnant.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45Now that day has come.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47- Shall we?- Yeah.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51We organised for her to have her frozen ovarian tissue
0:26:51 > 0:26:56transplanted back and her hormones are starting to adjust,
0:26:56 > 0:26:59so the ovarian transplant is starting to work, but it's
0:26:59 > 0:27:05right at the forefront of how we're developing our work in fertility.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08Moza's had her ovarian tissue transplanted,
0:27:08 > 0:27:11but still needs to produce an egg.
0:27:11 > 0:27:16So, the neck of the womb is just down here.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20The left ovary was where we put the transplanted tissue.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23So, I'm going to have a look and see if I can spy that,
0:27:23 > 0:27:25see if anything is happening there.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29For some patients, it's a lot more difficult than others, you know.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32For the lady who you see once, do a couple of little things
0:27:32 > 0:27:35and she's pregnant and that's great.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37She skips out the door and off she goes.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41For some patients, it's a long, very hard journey.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44Here's the ovary, and you can see the little stitch in it...
0:27:44 > 0:27:46- Yeah. - ..where we put the transplant.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51But I don't see a little egg yet.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53You try and help, but you can only help to a certain degree
0:27:53 > 0:27:55and, of course, because she's Muslim,
0:27:55 > 0:27:57she can't use somebody else's eggs.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59That's just not an option.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03No sign of an egg yet.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05But we are only day nine.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12The hospital's promise of one-to-one care
0:28:12 > 0:28:14when there's been a history of complications
0:28:14 > 0:28:17can be a major reason why couples choose the Portland.
0:28:19 > 0:28:24Downstairs in theatre, another Caesarean is about to get under way.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Alison and Roger live in Kent.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28Roger is a successful insurance consultant
0:28:28 > 0:28:30for a major accounting firm.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33The couple have been married for 14 years.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36As soon as I met her, yeah, I was bowled over.
0:28:36 > 0:28:41She was beautiful, and I guess the rest is history.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44Yeah. No, I think it probably was love at first sight.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49You should know the answer to that.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51Yeah.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54I'm just going to undo the back of your gown.
0:28:54 > 0:29:00Roger's the one who's currently busy working with his career,
0:29:00 > 0:29:03which is storming ahead,
0:29:03 > 0:29:09and I've stepped back a little bit since having the children.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13Because of medical problems during pregnancy, Alison's first two
0:29:13 > 0:29:18children were born prematurely and had to be delivered by Caesarean.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21George had difficulty maintaining body temperature,
0:29:21 > 0:29:25so he needed to be in an incubator for the first week or so
0:29:25 > 0:29:29of his life, and needed to be fed with tubes.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32So, he did need quite a bit of support.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35That was a worrying time in the first few days.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38I'm in the baby's bed!
0:29:40 > 0:29:43The fees for delivering the first two children were
0:29:43 > 0:29:45paid for by insurance.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47Make yourself comfortable as you can.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50But when Alison became pregnant again, they were willing to
0:29:50 > 0:29:54pay themselves to ensure they would receive the same medical care.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56This one is a self-pay.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00We don't have the insurance any longer.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04We do have insurance, but it won't cover...
0:30:04 > 0:30:06Not that particular policy, sadly.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08So, elective Caesarean section.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11The indication is two previous Caesarean sections.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14There's no placental site concerns and MOH is not anticipated.
0:30:14 > 0:30:19For the C-section, it's going to be around 10,500,
0:30:19 > 0:30:23but in addition to that, there's the consultant's fees.
0:30:23 > 0:30:27Having had Sophie and George and their complications,
0:30:27 > 0:30:31we wouldn't feel right to not return to the Portland,
0:30:31 > 0:30:35because we have full confidence in the care we would receive there.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37You OK? What are you feeling?
0:30:37 > 0:30:39Just a lot of pressure.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41Yeah. You'll feel a bit of stretching any moment now.
0:30:41 > 0:30:42That's perfectly normal.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45We're not spending it because we get afternoon tea, or we're not
0:30:45 > 0:30:50spending it because we get some of the luxuries that we have there.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52Obviously, the luxuries are nice, but it...
0:30:52 > 0:30:56- That's the main reason, I think. - Yeah.
0:30:56 > 0:30:57Head of the baby coming out now.
0:31:01 > 0:31:02Can you see?
0:31:02 > 0:31:04BABY CRIES
0:31:04 > 0:31:05Congratulations.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12BABY CRIES
0:31:18 > 0:31:21Congratulations. Here's your baby.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25Do you want him straight onto your skin, or...?
0:31:25 > 0:31:27Just wrap him up a little bit.
0:31:27 > 0:31:28Have you ever considered the NHS?
0:31:28 > 0:31:30Oh, no, NHS are great.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33I mean, I've broken bones and things and had to go in there,
0:31:33 > 0:31:37and they're really good at looking after you when you need it.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42Don't have a problem at all with it, because everyone needs it
0:31:42 > 0:31:44from time to time, but just with the baby, I don't know,
0:31:44 > 0:31:46I suppose it just...
0:31:46 > 0:31:48- That's the way it evolved, wasn't it?- Yeah, yeah.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56Alison will now go to her private room to start recovery.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01She'll soon be joined in the hospital by the influx of VIPs.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07If you had an epidural, this would be £995.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11With Michaela about to give birth, and largely confined to her
0:32:11 > 0:32:14office, her responsibilities are being handed to Phoebe.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18Phoebe's first task is a meeting with
0:32:18 > 0:32:22the PA to a wealthy and important family.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25She has come to ensure arrangements are satisfactory.
0:32:26 > 0:32:30Paul's the main man. He's in charge.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33So I'm just here just to see if there's anything else you need.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37The VIP may make a particular request, in the sense
0:32:37 > 0:32:41of the care they receive, or their entry into the hospital.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45If they were a well-known celebrity, they may need that privacy,
0:32:45 > 0:32:48so we may need to then look at them coming in
0:32:48 > 0:32:49a different way into the hospital.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52So there's a different way into the hospital?
0:32:52 > 0:32:53There might be.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57We'll clear all that out, car will come in here,
0:32:57 > 0:32:58shutter comes down.
0:32:58 > 0:33:02So, depending on their needs, we will then try and accommodate those.
0:33:04 > 0:33:08The super-rich family want four rooms -
0:33:08 > 0:33:09a suite for the mother,
0:33:09 > 0:33:12a room for a nursery, one for friends and family
0:33:12 > 0:33:15and one for visitors.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18What's the most you've ever seen someone spend here?
0:33:18 > 0:33:20About 250,000.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23What would you get for 250,000?
0:33:25 > 0:33:27Pretty much the whole hospital.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29For the most extravagant VIPs,
0:33:29 > 0:33:34the hospital's decor can be a little on the bland side.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37The patient themselves are welcome to bring in their own team
0:33:37 > 0:33:41of designers and just kind of making it completely their own.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43Obviously, there's a cost involved in doing that.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46To start with, it was quite intimidating.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50I go really red, so it's really obvious when I'm embarrassed,
0:33:50 > 0:33:52but I've calmed that down a bit now.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54It's motivational, cos it means that one day
0:33:54 > 0:33:58I want to have that much money, so I can have that wherever I go.
0:34:03 > 0:34:08Moza's medical bill currently stands at £26,000.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11Hi, hello.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14She's returning for another private consultation with
0:34:14 > 0:34:18Dr Sara to see if she has started producing eggs.
0:34:18 > 0:34:23If so, she stands a chance of conceiving a baby.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26Did you ever do what you do now on the NHS?
0:34:26 > 0:34:28Yes, yes, I did, for years.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30I loved my job in the NHS.
0:34:30 > 0:34:32I mean, working in the NHS, they trained me.
0:34:32 > 0:34:33They're fantastic.
0:34:34 > 0:34:39But I had two kids, my contract was a bit difficult.
0:34:42 > 0:34:48And I wanted to provide a service which put the patient
0:34:48 > 0:34:50at the very centre of it.
0:34:50 > 0:34:51Where's the man?
0:34:51 > 0:34:53He went to Manchester.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55- He went to Manchester? - Yeah.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58Oh. Does that mean you get to do more shopping?
0:34:58 > 0:35:00Yeah...
0:35:00 > 0:35:01Uh-oh, uh-oh.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04Right.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06Last week, not too much to see,
0:35:06 > 0:35:09and the hormones kind of confirmed that nothing was going on.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11So, I just want to have another little look.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15I suspect something's brewing.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23Yeah. We've got an egg.
0:35:23 > 0:35:24Hurray!
0:35:24 > 0:35:25Yeah.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29OK?
0:35:29 > 0:35:31There we go. It looks nice.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34It's going to be, probably, mid to the end of next week before that's
0:35:34 > 0:35:37getting ready to release, but, yes, we're in business.
0:35:37 > 0:35:38OK?
0:35:38 > 0:35:40When is the man back from Manchester?
0:35:40 > 0:35:42MOZA LAUGHS
0:35:42 > 0:35:44This is very important.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48It is elitist, it is a privilege,
0:35:48 > 0:35:52but you feel that you're giving the patient what
0:35:52 > 0:35:54they should be getting at all times.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56I would like to scan you next Wednesday.
0:35:56 > 0:35:57- Yeah.- All right?
0:35:57 > 0:36:01I don't think you're going to release this egg before that,
0:36:01 > 0:36:04but, you know, just in case, it might be good
0:36:04 > 0:36:06to practise a little bit.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08- Yeah, OK.- All right?
0:36:08 > 0:36:11I will be happy when I have nice result that I'm pregnant.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14That's why I'm patient and I have hope,
0:36:14 > 0:36:16big hope, that I will be pregnant soon.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23With Michaela about to go on maternity leave,
0:36:23 > 0:36:26there are still arrangements being made to accommodate
0:36:26 > 0:36:28several top-paying customers.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30Loads of beds.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33- Are these all being changed over today?- Yeah.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35On the third floor? Fantastic.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37You all right in there?
0:36:37 > 0:36:38Comfortable?
0:36:38 > 0:36:40Good.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43Such is the number of rooms required by these patients,
0:36:43 > 0:36:48Janene needs to open a floor that's normally used to treat children.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50So, the fifth floor is our flexible floor.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53We do flex it between maternity and paediatrics,
0:36:53 > 0:36:54depending on our busy times.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57In this case, we've got a couple of VIPs that want three, four
0:36:57 > 0:37:02rooms downstairs, so that's going to bump some activity up to this floor.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05So, we've just got to make sure and double-check that we have got
0:37:05 > 0:37:07everything here ready for those patients.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10And, unfortunately, we have made the decision, rightly or wrongly,
0:37:10 > 0:37:14to put more paediatric pictures up, and, in this instance, it's going to
0:37:14 > 0:37:17prove a little bit difficult when we bring our maternity mums up here.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21We can't do anything about the pictures.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23Can we just do a room check for every room?
0:37:23 > 0:37:26- Yeah, OK.- Because we're missing stuff. We're missing a fridge.
0:37:26 > 0:37:27No problem.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29When are the blinds being replaced?
0:37:29 > 0:37:30Not by next week.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32OK.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34- Are they the same colour? - Potentially, yeah.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37- Have we ordered them?- Yes.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39So, what colour are they?
0:37:39 > 0:37:40They're like a willowy green.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42They're more of a slightly khaki colour.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45And none of the VIPs want to come up here?
0:37:45 > 0:37:47- No, we tried. - No, we tried.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51I tried to offer them four rooms, but they wanted the suite.
0:37:51 > 0:37:56We'll put Michaela up here. She won't complain.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59Why don't you just fill out a VIP pro forma and send it to us,
0:37:59 > 0:38:02with all your wishes, food, everything, and see what happens?
0:38:06 > 0:38:10While regular clientele still need to be catered for, Janene has
0:38:10 > 0:38:13asked head chef Sam to update the menu in time for the new VIPs.
0:38:15 > 0:38:19I've got the crispy mackerel with mango and chilli dressing.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22I've got smoked duck breast with pomegranate salad
0:38:22 > 0:38:26and a trio of beetroot with some goat's cheese bonbons.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29To see if this menu meets the hospital's standards,
0:38:29 > 0:38:31there's going to be a tasting.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33It's about achieving perfection,
0:38:33 > 0:38:37no different from the medical team and the service they deliver.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40We need to be continually upping our game as well.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42We need to keep up with the trends in food
0:38:42 > 0:38:44and what's being delivered out there.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47It's all part of offering a premium service.
0:38:54 > 0:38:58Nick and wife Kinga have finally gone into labour.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00- So you won't take guesses? - For what?
0:39:00 > 0:39:02When it's going to happen.
0:39:02 > 0:39:03As a father of four,
0:39:03 > 0:39:06it's an experience Nick has become familiar with.
0:39:06 > 0:39:11Done? We can't bet on it, because you can control this.
0:39:11 > 0:39:12I can control this?
0:39:12 > 0:39:15You can cross your legs and it won't let it out.
0:39:15 > 0:39:16Uh-huh. That's true.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18Despite the hospital's on-call anaesthetist,
0:39:18 > 0:39:22Kinga is still determined to have her baby without pain relief,
0:39:22 > 0:39:25something she's never done before.
0:39:25 > 0:39:29Just realise there's nothing wrong with utilising the drugs
0:39:29 > 0:39:31that are there.
0:39:31 > 0:39:32Doesn't make you a wimp.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35- This makes you a normal person. - It's true.
0:39:35 > 0:39:39Nothing wrong with it. I think it's silly not to.
0:39:39 > 0:39:40'She's a strong woman.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42'I have confidence she can do it.'
0:39:42 > 0:39:45So I don't want her to go natural.
0:39:45 > 0:39:50I want her to take advantage of the advances in medical technology.
0:39:51 > 0:39:55Rachel is one of the hospital's newest midwives.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58She transferred here six months ago from the NHS.
0:39:58 > 0:40:02I've brought Rachel. That is Kinga and that's Nick.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04Hello.
0:40:04 > 0:40:05Welcome to the party!
0:40:05 > 0:40:07THEY LAUGH
0:40:07 > 0:40:08For me it's very much...
0:40:08 > 0:40:11get a feel for the room, get a feel for the couple.
0:40:11 > 0:40:13Is it OK if I have a little listen-in to baby?
0:40:13 > 0:40:15You're happy standing up for the time being?
0:40:15 > 0:40:17Yeah.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19As one of the Portland's newest recruits,
0:40:19 > 0:40:23she's still getting used to working in the private sector.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25You very quickly get used to the hustle and bustle
0:40:25 > 0:40:29of other hospitals, and the constant pressure and emergency situations.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32Really, if everything is straightforward and normal
0:40:32 > 0:40:34then you would be delivering the baby yourself,
0:40:34 > 0:40:38but here at the Portland, the women come for one-to-one consultant care.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40Yeah, so I think you are contracting,
0:40:40 > 0:40:42but they can be a bit more regular, that's all.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45So to step out of that and suddenly be faced with
0:40:45 > 0:40:49helping a lady to get dressed, or helping her into the shower,
0:40:49 > 0:40:52staying the whole time, rather than suddenly having to rush off
0:40:52 > 0:40:56and deal with an emergency, actually getting things from her bag for her,
0:40:56 > 0:40:59brushing her hair, it is a huge shock to the system.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01Huge shock.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04We've been married for eight years now.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07I know when to shut up. Just don't even talk.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09Good. That's key, I think. Probably key for...
0:41:09 > 0:41:10She's trained me properly.
0:41:10 > 0:41:11Excellent.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15'Dads are generally, I find, either not knowing what to do with
0:41:15 > 0:41:18'themselves, where to put themselves or what to say.'
0:41:18 > 0:41:22Others are really involved and want to be sort of really taking part
0:41:22 > 0:41:25and making it a partnership between mum- and dad-to-be.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27Another one?
0:41:27 > 0:41:28Yeah.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31Try to relax your shoulders a little bit.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33Sometimes you need quite a lot of direction for dads.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37You know, "Hold mum's hand, rub mum's back, take a deep breath."
0:41:37 > 0:41:40Quite often you have to remember to tell dad to at least eat and drink
0:41:40 > 0:41:44as well and go to the loo, because they get caught up in the moment.
0:41:44 > 0:41:45'You feel kind of powerless.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47'You can try to sit there and hold hands.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50'You can try to do what you can, but there's not really too much.'
0:41:50 > 0:41:53What's the best thing one can do at this stage?
0:41:53 > 0:41:58Do whatever you're told. Tells you to take off, take off.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00Yeah, do what you can.
0:42:00 > 0:42:05Provide comfort, provide succour and eff off when she tells you to.
0:42:09 > 0:42:14Downstairs, the management team are about to taste Sam's new menu.
0:42:17 > 0:42:18Looks lovely.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20Yeah, it's really, really nice.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22Well, it's a quality brand. We've got to stay there.
0:42:22 > 0:42:26We've got to prove that we are the best in London and the UK,
0:42:26 > 0:42:28and this is a huge part of it.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32It's a worldwide clientele that come to us,
0:42:32 > 0:42:35so we've got to be able to meet their standards.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39We have to take into account that a mum actually does want
0:42:39 > 0:42:43smaller helpings, she does want some comfort food post-delivery.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46We've also got a dad there that's gone through labour,
0:42:46 > 0:42:49and he wants to be able to enjoy the food
0:42:49 > 0:42:51and what's on offer at the Portland as well.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56That's my favourite dish there.
0:42:56 > 0:43:01You've got wild wood pigeon with lentil and chorizo and spinach.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04How popular is pigeon going to be with our patients?
0:43:04 > 0:43:07Some of it might be a little bit too heavy for them.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09We've got a duo of salmon, salmon in two ways.
0:43:09 > 0:43:13I think that should stay on the menu. It's very nicely done. Mmm.
0:43:13 > 0:43:15Oh, I like this as well.
0:43:15 > 0:43:16Well done!
0:43:16 > 0:43:18We love it all!
0:43:20 > 0:43:21Yeah.
0:43:21 > 0:43:24A few tweaks, but it's absolutely spot-on.
0:43:24 > 0:43:25Yeah.
0:43:25 > 0:43:27See you later. Thank you very much.
0:43:27 > 0:43:29Well done, Paul. Really good.
0:43:29 > 0:43:30Yeah, fantastic.
0:43:30 > 0:43:31This has come a long way.
0:43:33 > 0:43:35You're supposed to find a focal point, sweetie.
0:43:35 > 0:43:37Got to pick your head up.
0:43:37 > 0:43:41Kinga has now endured full-blown labour
0:43:41 > 0:43:44for the past six and a half hours.
0:43:44 > 0:43:46Well done.
0:43:46 > 0:43:48Keep breathing.
0:43:48 > 0:43:52Up until now, the only pain relief she's had is gas and air.
0:43:52 > 0:43:54'She's stubborn and she's competitive,
0:43:54 > 0:43:57'so if other people can do it, then she has to think
0:43:57 > 0:43:58'that she can do it, too.'
0:43:58 > 0:44:01If she has to get the epidural, she's going to feel bad.
0:44:01 > 0:44:04She's going to say, "I tried it. I couldn't do it. I failed."
0:44:04 > 0:44:06Breathe in through your nose, not through your mouth.
0:44:06 > 0:44:09Although Kinga's contractions are increasing in strength,
0:44:09 > 0:44:12her baby still isn't any closer to being born.
0:44:12 > 0:44:13Well done. All finished.
0:44:13 > 0:44:15OK. Give me the frigging...whatever.
0:44:15 > 0:44:17Epidural. Yeah.
0:44:17 > 0:44:19Ow, ow, ow!
0:44:19 > 0:44:22As there's always an anaesthetist on standby...
0:44:22 > 0:44:24Hello.
0:44:24 > 0:44:25- RACHEL:- Good morning!
0:44:25 > 0:44:30..Kinga doesn't have to wait long for a pain-blocking injection.
0:44:30 > 0:44:31I don't think it's a failure.
0:44:31 > 0:44:34I think it's... use what you have available.
0:44:34 > 0:44:36OK, we're all done.
0:44:36 > 0:44:37- RACHEL:- You can relax a bit, Kinga.
0:44:37 > 0:44:41This takes about ten minutes to kick in.
0:44:41 > 0:44:43- RACHEL:- 'Pain relief is really important.'
0:44:43 > 0:44:45Some people frown on it quite a lot.
0:44:45 > 0:44:48They think it's, you know, a sign of weakness.
0:44:48 > 0:44:50Actually, what we need is a comfortable mum
0:44:50 > 0:44:52in order to get a happy baby.
0:44:52 > 0:44:54It's great. It works so well.
0:44:56 > 0:44:58Can barely feel any contractions.
0:44:58 > 0:45:01It's the best cocktail you've had in nine months, right?
0:45:01 > 0:45:04Right! Yeah. Yeah.
0:45:04 > 0:45:05Good decision.
0:45:05 > 0:45:07I agree.
0:45:10 > 0:45:12Three and a half hours later,
0:45:12 > 0:45:15Kinga's baby is finally ready to arrive.
0:45:15 > 0:45:17Good contractions. Lovely heart rate.
0:45:17 > 0:45:19We're all good to go.
0:45:19 > 0:45:21Ready? Go. Push.
0:45:21 > 0:45:22And again.
0:45:22 > 0:45:24Breath in. Go again.
0:45:25 > 0:45:26Push.
0:45:26 > 0:45:27Amazing. Come on. Go.
0:45:27 > 0:45:28- RACHEL:- Big push down now.
0:45:28 > 0:45:31Amazing. Really great.
0:45:31 > 0:45:32What a good push, sweetie.
0:45:32 > 0:45:34KINGA ROARS IN PAIN
0:45:34 > 0:45:37OK. That's it. Coming now. It's OK.
0:45:37 > 0:45:41Blow, blow, blow. That's it. Well done.
0:45:44 > 0:45:46KINGA LAUGHS
0:45:50 > 0:45:52Gorgeous, you! Hello!
0:45:55 > 0:45:56- RACHEL:- 12.56.
0:45:56 > 0:46:00Going to bring baby to you. OK? Well done.
0:46:00 > 0:46:01KINGA SIGHS
0:46:01 > 0:46:05- RACHEL:- Congratulations. You did so well!
0:46:05 > 0:46:06Lovely.
0:46:06 > 0:46:09BABY CRIES
0:46:09 > 0:46:14After ten hours of labour, baby Caitlin is finally delivered,
0:46:14 > 0:46:16weighing just over eight pounds.
0:46:19 > 0:46:22- There she is. - Hey, baby. Oh, look at you.
0:46:22 > 0:46:24Look at your little fingers.
0:46:35 > 0:46:37It's 5:00am.
0:46:37 > 0:46:42Today the hospital will bring into the world a new baby.
0:46:42 > 0:46:46The staff await the family's arrival.
0:46:46 > 0:46:49Careful with this one. Right. Hold the vase.
0:46:49 > 0:46:53It should be that they don't one, want for nothing, or two,
0:46:53 > 0:46:56have to wait or think for anything, that we actually do
0:46:56 > 0:46:59that for them and deliver them the perfect service.
0:46:59 > 0:47:01Make the bed. I clean it already.
0:47:01 > 0:47:05We've stripped the beds of all of our linen,
0:47:05 > 0:47:09so they've brought their own bed linen and bathroom towels and robes.
0:47:09 > 0:47:13With their security guards in position, the family's entourage
0:47:13 > 0:47:17arrives in advance to make sure everything is in place.
0:47:17 > 0:47:19They've got maids and nannies,
0:47:19 > 0:47:23so we have a couple of extra rooms for her staff to stay in.
0:47:26 > 0:47:29Although the private entrance is on offer, the parents
0:47:29 > 0:47:33decide against a secret arrival and use the front door.
0:47:37 > 0:47:40But the staff have more than one VIP to cope with.
0:47:41 > 0:47:44They're also expecting the imminent arrival
0:47:44 > 0:47:48of a Premier League footballer and a president's daughter.
0:47:51 > 0:47:54Worst-case scenario is if everyone goes into spontaneous labour
0:47:54 > 0:47:57on the same day, but I'm hoping that won't happen.
0:47:57 > 0:47:58This one or the...?
0:47:58 > 0:48:00No, the linen ones.
0:48:00 > 0:48:03Sometimes I feel helpless, because they'll ask me certain questions
0:48:03 > 0:48:05and I won't have a clue, but Paul will know everything.
0:48:05 > 0:48:07And then what we'll do is we'll take these up,
0:48:07 > 0:48:11and need to change all the water all the way round.
0:48:13 > 0:48:18Ryan the porter has been checking in the hospital's special guests.
0:48:18 > 0:48:21They are all upstairs, waiting to have their babies.
0:48:22 > 0:48:25The first floor is now off limits, except to key staff.
0:48:27 > 0:48:30We've got a lot of very A-list patients up on the ward,
0:48:30 > 0:48:33so you have to be very discreet.
0:48:33 > 0:48:36Front-of-house assistant. Hello, madam.
0:48:36 > 0:48:37How are you?
0:48:37 > 0:48:38I hardly speak English.
0:48:38 > 0:48:40That's OK. That's fine.
0:48:43 > 0:48:45So do you have any kids?
0:48:45 > 0:48:49I have. I have two lovely kids. One boy, one girl. One each.
0:48:49 > 0:48:51Did you have them here?
0:48:51 > 0:48:53No, no, not here.
0:48:53 > 0:48:59If I did have them here, I'd be paying way too much, I guess! Yes.
0:48:59 > 0:49:02And you've got 445. You've got one beetroot, yeah?
0:49:02 > 0:49:04They're all ordering a la carte tonight.
0:49:04 > 0:49:05Are they?
0:49:05 > 0:49:10Yeah, all a la carte. Nicely cooked fish, Stephen.
0:49:10 > 0:49:13Along with the footballer's wife and president's daughter,
0:49:13 > 0:49:18one of the patients Sam is cooking for is VIP liaison Michaela,
0:49:18 > 0:49:19who has just arrived to have her baby.
0:49:19 > 0:49:21Michaela.
0:49:21 > 0:49:24The hospital has a system for distinguishing between
0:49:24 > 0:49:27its VVIPs and mere VIPs.
0:49:27 > 0:49:32VVIP means they pay more than a normal VIP.
0:49:32 > 0:49:35I've cooked for lots of famous people before.
0:49:35 > 0:49:38If you think about it too much, you get, you know, the pressure...
0:49:38 > 0:49:40You don't want the pressure to get the best out of you.
0:49:40 > 0:49:43It's hard, because you don't always see the satisfaction
0:49:43 > 0:49:44from the customer, as a chef.
0:49:44 > 0:49:47We always want to see clean plates, hear the feedback.
0:49:47 > 0:49:49So that's where you don't get as much of that here,
0:49:49 > 0:49:52because essentially they're coming to have a baby.
0:49:57 > 0:50:01As someone new to the private sector, midwife Rachel is finding
0:50:01 > 0:50:05the patients' expectations go far beyond medical care.
0:50:05 > 0:50:09Please could I have some black tea for delivery one?
0:50:09 > 0:50:10Thank you very much. Bye-bye.
0:50:10 > 0:50:12'I'm always, "Would you like a cup of tea?'
0:50:12 > 0:50:15"Would a cup of tea help? Can I prescribe you a cup of tea?"
0:50:15 > 0:50:17So that's mostly what I do.
0:50:17 > 0:50:20I just poked myself in the face with a lily.
0:50:20 > 0:50:22The things I have to do!
0:50:23 > 0:50:27The first time I met a VIP, I did have to take myself off quietly
0:50:27 > 0:50:29in a corner and have a little word with myself,
0:50:29 > 0:50:31and remind myself, just... it's normal.
0:50:33 > 0:50:36Sometimes it's very tempting just to pop in and say,
0:50:36 > 0:50:38"Hello, please could I have your autograph?",
0:50:38 > 0:50:41but obviously everybody is having their episode of care,
0:50:41 > 0:50:44and it's not very appropriate, so...
0:50:48 > 0:50:54The VVIPs require the attention of half of the entire maternity staff.
0:50:54 > 0:50:57But for the rest of the patients, it's time for tea.
0:50:57 > 0:51:01May I come in? Hello, sir. Good afternoon.
0:51:01 > 0:51:03Good afternoon, madam.
0:51:03 > 0:51:06It's the famous scones and clotted cream.
0:51:07 > 0:51:09Would you like a scone?
0:51:09 > 0:51:12Unlike most Portland patients,
0:51:12 > 0:51:14this is the first time Nick and Kinga have been offered
0:51:14 > 0:51:17such a luxurious British tradition.
0:51:17 > 0:51:20It's lovely. Glad we're not paying for it.
0:51:20 > 0:51:22I wouldn't want to pay for that in a restaurant!
0:51:22 > 0:51:23Mmm.
0:51:23 > 0:51:26You definitely earned it. Try that clotted cream.
0:51:26 > 0:51:28I hear it's the rage.
0:51:28 > 0:51:29Cream? That's butter, right?
0:51:29 > 0:51:32No, it's the clotted cream to go with the scones.
0:51:32 > 0:51:34It's like a sweet cream-type thing, I think.
0:51:36 > 0:51:39Mm-hm. That's good.
0:51:39 > 0:51:41After nine months of being teetotal,
0:51:41 > 0:51:45what Kinga really craves is a sip of Moroccan whisky.
0:51:45 > 0:51:51All right. I've been waiting for you. This smells like Christmas.
0:51:51 > 0:51:54Cinnamon, spice. Right?
0:51:54 > 0:51:56Everything nice? Whisky? Yeah.
0:52:01 > 0:52:02Cheers, Katie.
0:52:02 > 0:52:04Cheers to Katie.
0:52:04 > 0:52:06Happy birthday, dear.
0:52:06 > 0:52:10It's been 32 hours since Alison and Roger
0:52:10 > 0:52:14welcomed newborn baby James into the world.
0:52:14 > 0:52:17For them, the luxurious trappings of going private
0:52:17 > 0:52:20have been outweighed by the relief that James hasn't
0:52:20 > 0:52:22been born prematurely, like their son George.
0:52:22 > 0:52:26The nerves before the procedure were obviously heightened,
0:52:26 > 0:52:29because of what had happened previously.
0:52:29 > 0:52:34With George, having to go off to the special unit,
0:52:34 > 0:52:38special care unit, he wasn't there with me in recovery.
0:52:38 > 0:52:41So I was really aware of his absence.
0:52:41 > 0:52:47Whereas he was with me the whole time, so he was able to sort of
0:52:47 > 0:52:51have that skin-to-skin contact, which is the most natural thing
0:52:51 > 0:52:53when you've just given birth,
0:52:53 > 0:52:59and then return to the room with me, and he didn't leave my side.
0:52:59 > 0:53:03So that was a really big thing. It's been a lovely experience.
0:53:03 > 0:53:04It was just the kind that I hoped for.
0:53:04 > 0:53:06I really do feel complete now.
0:53:15 > 0:53:19The hospital prides itself on providing luxurious care
0:53:19 > 0:53:20to every patient.
0:53:21 > 0:53:25But with so many big spenders still yet to give birth,
0:53:25 > 0:53:28the staff anxiously await the new arrivals.
0:53:30 > 0:53:33On the labour ward, you can hear them,
0:53:33 > 0:53:37and you know what it's like when you hear it.
0:53:37 > 0:53:41Someone screaming out loud. That's how it is, really.
0:53:43 > 0:53:47In labour, you're always sort of slightly worried about the outcome.
0:53:47 > 0:53:50There's always the potential for a woman to bleed,
0:53:50 > 0:53:53so that always makes me anxious.
0:53:53 > 0:53:57So until the baby is delivered, then you can relax, you can hear a baby.
0:53:58 > 0:54:00BABY CRIES
0:54:09 > 0:54:14It's been a bumper week. With a new footballer's daughter,
0:54:14 > 0:54:18a president's grandchild and the heir to a fortune
0:54:18 > 0:54:21all delivered safely into the world,
0:54:21 > 0:54:24the hospital can breathe a sigh of relief.
0:54:30 > 0:54:34Six weeks later, Nick and Kinga jetted back to Morocco
0:54:34 > 0:54:37with their five children.
0:54:37 > 0:54:38The future for us is an unknown.
0:54:38 > 0:54:41It's going to be some other adventure in a different country.
0:54:41 > 0:54:43Family is done. Family is complete.
0:54:43 > 0:54:44Yeah.
0:54:44 > 0:54:46We're home.
0:54:46 > 0:54:48That's good for us.
0:54:48 > 0:54:51A delivery is about a short, intense timeframe,
0:54:51 > 0:54:55so we try and maximise everything we do for that woman
0:54:55 > 0:54:58during that period, so that they go away with those
0:54:58 > 0:55:01really special memories that every mum should have.
0:55:03 > 0:55:04Hi.
0:55:04 > 0:55:05Hi. Take a seat.
0:55:05 > 0:55:07Moza has yet to become pregnant,
0:55:07 > 0:55:11but she lives in hope of some day becoming a Portland mother.
0:55:11 > 0:55:14So we just have to keep going.
0:55:14 > 0:55:15THEY LAUGH
0:55:17 > 0:55:21And visiting today is a special newborn VIP.
0:55:21 > 0:55:24Michaela has popped by with her three-week old son Mason.
0:55:24 > 0:55:26How are you doing?
0:55:26 > 0:55:29Do you want the honest answer?
0:55:29 > 0:55:30Yeah!
0:55:30 > 0:55:33I'm exhausted. Very little sleep.
0:55:33 > 0:55:37It's every two hours at the moment I'm feeding. So...
0:55:37 > 0:55:40I just smile. He's just making me so happy.
0:55:40 > 0:55:46He's amazing. I literally melted the minute I saw him.
0:55:46 > 0:55:47Just so happy.
0:55:49 > 0:55:51I'm just going to really enjoy this time with him,
0:55:51 > 0:55:55not even think about going back to work, and just enjoy being a mummy.