Private Maternity FAQs
Pre-Conception Counselling
Pre-conception counselling provides an opportunity to prepare for pregnancy in the safest and most informed way, helping to optimise health and reduce potential risks before conception occurs.
During the consultation you can:
- Understand and reduce potential pregnancy risks based on your medical, obstetric, and family history
- Optimise health, medications, and supplements to ensure they are safe and appropriate for pregnancy
- Develop a personalised plan for conception, early pregnancy care, and screening
- Gain reassurance, clarity, and confidence as you plan the next steps in your pregnancy journey
This consultation helps ensure that pregnancy begins with the best possible preparation and support, particularly for those with previous pregnancy complications or specific medical considerations.
Pre-conception counselling can be beneficial for anyone planning a pregnancy who wishes to optimise their health and improve pregnancy outcomes. It is particularly helpful if you:
- Are planning your first pregnancy and would like guidance on preparing for conception
- Have experienced recurrent miscarriage
- Previously had a baby with a birth defect or structural condition
- Have had a pregnancy affected by a genetic condition
- Developed preeclampsia or high blood pressure in a previous pregnancy
- Have had a preterm birth or cervical surgery
- Have a medical condition, such as diabetes, thyroid disease, hypertension, autoimmune disorders, cardiac conditions, or neurological conditions
- Take long-term medications that may need review before pregnancy
- Would like expert reassurance and a personalised plan before trying to conceive
A pre-pregnancy consultation allows time to review your medical and pregnancy history, optimise health, and develop a tailored plan for conception and early pregnancy care.
A pre-conception consultation provides a comprehensive review of your health, previous pregnancy history, and factors that may influence a future pregnancy, allowing time to plan care in a thoughtful and personalised way.
Your private pre-pregnancy consultation typically includes:
- A detailed review of your medical, surgical, gynaecological and obstetric history
- Discussion of family history, including any genetic or inherited conditions
- Assessment of previous pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, preeclampsia or fetal growth restriction
- Medication review, including optimisation of long-term medications to ensure they are safe for pregnancy
- Individualised assessment of potential pregnancy risks
- Advice on nutrition, weight, lifestyle and pre-pregnancy health optimisation
- Guidance on recommended supplements, including folic acid and vitamin D
- Planning of blood tests, genetic screening, scans or specialist referrals, where appropriate
- Development of a personalised pre-pregnancy and early pregnancy care plan
Following the consultation, you will receive a detailed written summary outlining the discussion, recommendations and next steps, helping you move forward with clarity and confidence when planning your pregnancy.
At The Pregnancy Clinic, pre-conception counselling can be tailored to specific medical or pregnancy histories that may influence future pregnancies. These specialist pathways allow time to review previous outcomes, assess potential risks, and develop an evidence-based plan to optimise pregnancy health from the outset.
Our specialist pre-conception pathways include:
Recurrent miscarriage history
Specialist counselling for women with two or more pregnancy losses, including review of previous investigations and planning of early pregnancy monitoring and care.
Previous birth defect or genetic condition
Pre-conception consultation following a pregnancy affected by a major structural birth defect or genetic condition, with discussion of recurrence risks, available screening or diagnostic options, and strategies for monitoring future pregnancies.
Pre-eclampsia prevention
Counselling for women who have previously experienced preeclampsia or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, focusing on evidence-based prevention strategies, risk assessment and planning of appropriate surveillance.
Preterm birth and cervical insufficiency
Pre-pregnancy consultation for women with a history of preterm birth, cervical surgery, or cervical insufficiency, including discussion of surveillance strategies and preventive treatments such as progesterone therapy or cervical cerclage where appropriate.
Pregnancy planning with medical conditions
Pre-conception counselling for women with pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease, hypertension, autoimmune disorders, or cardiac or neurological conditions. This includes optimisation of medications and coordinated care planning to support a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Private Antenatal Care
At The Pregnancy Clinic, our focus is on providing expert, consultant-led care in a calm and supportive setting, with time to listen, explain and guide you through each stage of pregnancy. Our approach combines advanced screening, detailed ultrasound assessment and personalised consultations to help identify potential concerns early and support the healthiest possible pregnancy.
Patients choose The Pregnancy Clinic because we offer:
- Consultant-led, one-to-one private antenatal care
- Continuity of care with experienced fetal–maternal medicine specialists
- Proactive screening and risk assessment for pregnancy complications
- Early identification and evidence-based management of pregnancy concerns
- High standards of ultrasound assessment for fetal and placental conditions
- A calm, discreet and supportive environment for consultations and scans
- A service trusted by women and families across Sevenoaks, Kent and London
Our aim is to provide clear information, thoughtful care and reassurance, helping you feel confident and supported throughout your pregnancy journey.
Consultant-led private antenatal care is often chosen by women who value continuity, expertise, and a proactive approach to pregnancy care. It can be particularly reassuring for those who wish to have more time for discussion, detailed assessment, and personalised planning throughout pregnancy.
Women who choose this type of care often:
- Value continuity of care with experienced consultant specialists
- Prefer a proactive and preventive approach to pregnancy health
- Recognise that pregnancy complications can arise by chance, even in otherwise healthy pregnancies
- Appreciate the importance of early screening, timely diagnosis, and evidence-based management
- Would like more time for detailed consultations, explanations, and reassurance
This approach provides individualised care and careful monitoring, helping ensure that any concerns are identified early and managed appropriately.
Our Private Antenatal Care package is designed to provide comprehensive, consultant-led care throughout pregnancy, combining detailed consultations, advanced ultrasound assessment and personalised investigations. The aim is to ensure that every aspect of the pregnancy is reviewed carefully, with time for explanation, reassurance and proactive management where needed.
The package typically includes:
Comprehensive pregnancy consultations with continuity of care
- In-depth consultant-led consultations at key stages of pregnancy
- Ongoing review and discussion of scan findings, blood tests and investigations
- Continuity of care with the same consultant, allowing a personalised understanding of your pregnancy
- Evidence-based counselling and clear explanations, supporting informed decisions throughout pregnancy
Detailed pregnancy scans
- Consultant-performed ultrasound scans throughout pregnancy
- High-quality imaging with expert interpretation
- Screening for genetic conditions and structural birth defects
- Assessment of placental position and placental function
- Surveillance for pregnancy complications such as fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia, preterm birth risk, placenta praevia and vasa praevia
Blood tests and pregnancy investigations
- Screening and diagnostic blood tests tailored to the pregnancy
- Targeted investigations based on gestation, clinical findings and evolving risk factors
- Consultant interpretation of results with clear discussion of their implications
- Early identification of potential complications, allowing timely monitoring and treatment when required
This structured, consultant-led approach allows pregnancy care to be thoughtful, proactive and personalised, ensuring that any concerns are recognised early and that you feel well informed and supported throughout your pregnancy journey.
Our consultant-led Private Antenatal Care pathway provides a structured programme of screening and monitoring designed to identify conditions that may affect the health of the mother or baby during pregnancy. While most pregnancies progress normally, certain complications can arise by chance, and early identification allows timely monitoring, treatment and delivery planning.
This pathway combines specialist consultations, detailed ultrasound assessment and targeted investigations at key stages of pregnancy, allowing proactive and personalised care.
Genetic and chromosomal conditions
Screening for common chromosomal conditions such as Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome and Patau syndrome, with the option of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) alongside detailed first-trimester assessment at the nuchal scan.
Structural birth defects
Comprehensive evaluation of the baby’s anatomy through specialist ultrasound scans, including early anatomy assessment in the first trimester and a detailed anomaly scan at around 20 weeks, which assesses the development of major organs such as the brain, heart, spine, kidneys and abdominal structures.
Fetal growth and placental function
Surveillance for conditions affecting fetal growth and placental health, including:
- Small for gestational age babies
- Large for gestational age babies
- Placental insufficiency
This includes monitoring of fetal growth patterns, amniotic fluid levels and Doppler blood flow assessments where appropriate.
Maternal pregnancy complications
Screening and surveillance for important pregnancy-related conditions, including:
- Preeclampsia and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
- Gestational diabetes
- Maternal anaemia and iron deficiency
- Risk of preterm birth and cervical insufficiency
- Placental conditions such as placenta praevia and vasa praevia
Importantly, the pathway does not stop at risk assessment alone. When an increased risk is identified, our focus is on early identification of potential complications, evidence-based monitoring and preventive strategies and timely treatment and intervention where appropriate.
- This service provides planned private antenatal care only
- This service does not include private labour or delivery care
- All deliveries take place within NHS maternity services
Our clinic does not provide emergency, urgent, or out-of-hours care. Any acute concerns should be directed to:
- All emergency, urgent, and out-of-hours care must be accessed via your local NHS maternity provider or emergency services
- Your local NHS maternity unit
- Your GP or NHS 111 or emergency services, as appropriate
Postnatal consultation
Private postnatal care at The Pregnancy Clinic is suitable for anyone who would like a comprehensive review of their health and pregnancy after delivery, particularly if there were medical or pregnancy-related complications.
This service may be especially helpful if you:
- Experienced preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, or raised blood pressure during pregnancy
- Were diagnosed with gestational diabetes
- Had a pregnancy affected by preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, or stillbirth
- Required an emergency or operative delivery, such as assisted vaginal birth or caesarean section
- Have pre-existing medical conditions that can influence pregnancy health
- Have a history of recurrent pregnancy complications
- Are planning another pregnancy and would like personalised advice on risk reduction and preparation
- Would value a detailed consultant-led postnatal review beyond routine postnatal checks
The consultation provides an opportunity to review what happened during pregnancy and birth, assess ongoing health considerations, and plan confidently for future pregnancies if desired.
Our Private Postnatal Care service provides a comprehensive consultant-led review following pregnancy and delivery. The consultation allows time to discuss your recovery, review any complications that occurred during pregnancy or birth, and consider any implications for your long-term health or future pregnancies. The service typically includes:
6-Week Postnatal Consultant Review
- Comprehensive review of pregnancy, delivery, and postnatal recovery
- Assessment following vaginal birth or caesarean section
- Review of blood pressure, metabolic health, and relevant investigations
- Medication review, contraception advice, and ongoing symptom assessment
Pregnancy and Birth Debrief
- Clear explanation of events during pregnancy, labour, and delivery
- Review of diagnoses such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, or operative delivery
- Opportunity to ask questions and address unresolved concerns
- Supportive discussion following complex, unexpected, or traumatic experiences
Specialist Consultations and Investigations (If Clinically Indicated)
- Targeted investigations based on pregnancy history and clinical need
- Interpretation of results within the context of pregnancy-related risk
- Advice regarding onward referral to urogynaecology, endocrinology, haematology, or other specialties when appropriate
Future Pregnancy Planning
- Personalised assessment of recurrence risk for pregnancy complications
- Evidence-based strategies for risk reduction and optimisation prior to conception
- Clear guidance on recommended surveillance and care pathways in future pregnancies
Long-Term Health and Well-Being
- Discussion of longer-term implications of pregnancy complications
- Cardiovascular and metabolic risk counselling where relevant
- Practical advice on lifestyle modification, including diet, exercise, weight management, and blood pressure control
- Guidance on appropriate follow-up with your GP or NHS services
Our clinic does not provide emergency, urgent, or out-of-hours care. Any acute concerns should be directed to:
- All emergency, urgent, and out-of-hours care must be accessed via your local NHS maternity provider or emergency services
- Your local NHS maternity unit
- Your GP or NHS 111 or emergency services, as appropriate