LABOUR OF LOVE
Where is the Lindo wing, is this where Meghan Markle gave birth and how much does is cost to have a baby there?
THE Lindo wing of London's St Mary's hospital is famously known to have birthed several royal babies over the course of years.
But where exactly is it located, how much would it cost to give birth at the hospital and did Meghan Markle welcome her firstborn at the facility? Let's find out...
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Where is St Mary’s Hospital?
St Mary’s Hospital is located in Paddington, City of Westminster, London, and its full address is St Mary’s Hospital, South Wharf Road, London W2 1NY.
It is 173 years old, as it was founded in 1845 and first admitted patients in 1851.
It is operated by the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and is an NHS hospital with a private wing.
The private wing is named the Lindo wing, where many royal and celebrity births have taken place and was founded in 1937.
The name comes from businessman and hospital board-member Frank Charles Lindo, who donated £111,500 to the hospital.
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When did Kate Middleton give birth to her third baby?
Kate Middleton gave birth to her third child Prince Louis in the private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital on Monday, April 23, 2018 at 11.01am.
She also gave birth to her other two children there – Prince George, five, and Princess Charlotte, four.
Prince William and Prince Harry were born in the hospital, too.
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Will Meghan Markle give birth there?
Meghan has broken a four-decade royal tradition by shunning the hospital where Kate and Princess Diana gave birth.
She and Prince Harry decided not to have their baby at the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington.
Instead, the couple were said to have opted for a maternity unit closer to their Windsor home.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced they were expecting their first child on October 15.
A source said: "Harry and Meghan realise there is intense public interest but this baby is not a direct heir to the throne and they want the birth to be as private as possible."
What £5,900 will buy you at the Lindo wing
All of the care packages at the Lindo wing include:
- Midwifery care throughout delivery and postnatal stay
- Theatre fees
- Routine midwife appointments and blood tests
- Paediatrician fee for first baby
- Nursery care
- Postnatal physiotherapy
- Routine medications and dressings
- Meals and daily newspaper
- Accommodation and breakfast for your partner, for each night of your postnatal stay
You will be expected to pay extra for:
- Any antenatal care (excluding midwifery appointment)
- Professional fees for obstetric services and anaesthetic services
- Blood transfusions, diagnostic tests and injections not specified in the package
- Non-routine take-home medication
- Induction (if required)
- Hearing check (unless NHS eligible)
- Additional guest meals
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How much does a birthing room cost at the Lindo Wing?
If your private health insurance does not cover maternity costs, the offers packages for overnight care.
For a standard room, a one-night package for normal delivery costs £5,900, and a caesarean section costs £7,435.
If you wish to stay an additional night, it would cost you £1,175.
For a deluxe room, a normal delivery package is £6,275 and a caesarean is £7,810 and an additional night would cost £1,550.
Suites are also available and vary by price.
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