ZARA Tindall has today announced that she is expecting her third child with husband Mike Tindall.
However, if you are expecting another royal baby photo shoot on the steps of the Lindo Wing a la Kate Middleton, you’re going to be disappointed.
Zara and Mike Tindall have announced that they
Zara is expected to deliver at the Stroud Maternity Unit that is part of Gloucestshire royal hospital
The Queen’s granddaughter is likely to opt for the same NHS hospital where she delivered two-year-old daughter Lena and six-year-old daughter Mia.
The Stroud Maternity Unit is part of the Gloucestshire Royal Hospital and is just a 15 minute drive from Princess Anne’s estate of Gatcombe Park, where the Tindalls also live.
The humble maternity unit, which is completely free to use is a far cry from the £7,500-a-night hospital where Zara’s cousin Prince William welcomed his three children.
The Lindo Wing offers mums-to-be the chance to indulge in afternoon tea, lavish menus and bottomless champagne to celebrate the birth.
Kate Middleton and Prince William have welcomed all three of their children at the £7,500 a night Lindo Wing
The Lindo Wing rooms include en suite bathrooms and are stocked with toiletries
En suite bathrooms at the plush wing are stocked with toiletries like shampoo, conditioner and lotions, and rooms come with satellite TV, WiFi, a sofa for guests and magazines for your stay.
However, Zara, who holds no royal title, has opted for a fuss-free approach with Stroud Maternity Unit.
There are no deluxe birthing packages here, and rooms don’t come with TVs or fancy wine menus.
The Stroud maternity unit offers rooms with birthing pools and aromatherapy
Mums are then moved on to a standard ward of eight beds once they have given birth
The “small maternity unit” has just three rooms and offers a “home from home” approach and welcomes around 300 babies every year.
While there might not be Champagne on tap the unit does offer some unique experiences for couples including ensuite rooms so that new parents can stay overnight.
According to the NHS website, the rooms “have all been individually designed to create a comfortable and calm environment for you, your birth partner and your baby.”
Zara chose the same maternity unit for the births of her daughters Mia, 6, and Lena, 2
The ward also offers alternative forms of pain relief such as birthing pools and aromatherapy.
Once Zara has given birth she can expect to be transferred to one of the eight additional beds in place for new mums.
Mike, 42, announced his 39-year-old Zara’s and good news this morning on a podcast he hosts, The Good, The Bad & The Rugby.
And Her Majesty and Prince Philip are said to be “delighted” by their grand-daughter’s announcement.
