NHS vs private maternity care: what are your options?

Most women in the UK get their maternity care for free through the NHS, but there are also private options available.

From paying for scans and doulas to private hospitals and amenity beds, this guide explains what services are available before, during and after giving birth.

We also list the pros and cons for both NHS and private maternity services and reveal what you might expect to pay if you decide to go private. 

For ways to keep your family living costs down, and kids of all ages happy, get our Family newsletter – it's free monthly

NHS vs private maternity care: pros and cons

Whether you choose private or NHS maternity care, there are benefits and disadvantages. We'll go into more detail further down the page but here's a quick overview of how they differ. 

NHS maternity care: pros

• It's free. This is from your first appointment through to scans, antenatal care, the birth itself and postnatal care. There may be some exceptions for non-UK residents but you'll never be turned away from NHS maternity care.
• Access to a range of experts. If your birth becomes complicated, you'll have direct access to some of the world's best experts, without having to worry that your costs will rack up. 
• You still have choices. Whether it's at home, in a hospital or at a birth centre, having an NHS birth still gives you scope to somewhat tailor your experience. You have more options than you might realise. For example  you can ask to use a different hospital rather than one that your GP may refer you to locally and you can also request to have an elective c-section. 

NHS maternity care: cons

• You might not get the birth you want. For example, if you've chosen a water birth but all the birthing pools at your chosen facility are occupied when you need one. The NHS will try to support your wishes but it may not always be possible.
• You might not feel as supported as with private care.  Staff shortages are a reality in NHS hospitals compared to private hospitals. Also, shift changes can mean you might have various midwives looking after you, even when you're labouring and this may be unsettling for you at the various stages of your pregnancy and birth.

Private maternity care: pros

• A team of familiar experts. Whether it's an obstetrician or midwife-led delivery, you'll have the added reassurance of getting to know your team throughout your maternity care and birth. 
• Regular contact. One of the things you're paying for is their time so you may feel you can contact the facility as much as you like without feeling like you're bothering anyone. You might even have the mobile number of your obstetrician for out of hours use.
• Hotel-like facilities. Luxury and privacy are standard and facilities often include 24-hour room service, satellite TV and premium toiletries in your ensuite bathroom. Unlike NHS hospitals, which tend to be strict on visiting hours, there may be more flexibility for visitors to come and see you if you've gone private, plus your partner may be able to stay.

Private maternity care: cons

• It's expensive. Private care can cost many thousands of pounds and even with a package there may be lots of added extras such as epidurals, induction or instrumental delivery. The earlier in your pregnancy you start with a care package, the more you'll pay. You'll also pay more if you're expecting multiples.
• You may end up with NHS treatment anyway if something goes wrong. The Portland Hospital for example has its intensive care facilities for newborns and mums, but most private delivery services are situated within or next to NHS hospitals and will use their facilities in an emergency, such as the obstetric emergency theatre on a standard labour ward. 
• There might not be one near you. Private maternity facilities aren't as common as NHS ones so you may have to travel to get to one. If your birth happens quickly and unexpectedly, you might not have time to get there. Most are in the London area so if you factor in antenatal care and unforeseen events such as going into labour early, it might not work for you unless you're London-based.

What to pack in your hospital bag - our guide makes sure you have everything you need

Can I give birth in a private hospital?

Yes, you can choose to give birth in a private maternity hospital or unit or pick and choose aspects of private maternity care that suit your needs.

For example, although the NHS offers expectant mums at least two ultrasound scans during pregnancy, some people want 3D or 4D scans to see the baby's features more closely and these are only available privately.

What's it like giving birth in a private hospital?

If you’re giving birth in a private hospital or on a private wing, your obstetrician will usually look after you in labour, but you can also have midwife-led care, depending on the package you've paid for. 

Once you’ve given birth, you’ll have a private ensuite room at the hospital with hotel-like facilities such as a concierge, luxury toiletries and 24-hour room service.

The cost of your room is usually included in the price although you can pay more to stay for extra nights or to upgrade to a suite.

Private midwives will then support you for your immediate postnatal care.

Taking baby home in a car? Make sure you choose one of our best child car seats

How much does it cost to give birth at a private hospital?

When we looked in December 2022, the lowest cost we found for a vaginal/normal delivery with a consultant at a private hospital was £5,500 and the lowest for a c-section was £6,300 but this is a starting price. There are a number of variables and added extras to factor in when working out what the total cost might be. 

Consultant-led or midwife-led delivery? A 'consultant-led' normal birth is different from a 'midwifery-led' birth, which is generally suitable for low-risk pregnancies. However, it still isn't cheap - we found one that started at £8,015 but extra charges could be added on if you stay beyond one night and have interventions such as an epidural or induction.

Your consultant's professional fees will be charged separately and it's likely the anesthetist's will too, so contact their administrative staff beforehand for an idea of what these might be.  

Vaginal delivery, elective c-section or emergency c-section? Each of these incur a different cost. For example, a consultant-led 'normal' delivery at the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in Paddington has a basic price of £6,300 whereas a consultant-led c-section is £8,000 (plus consultant's fees in both cases). Not only that but you may want to check how many nights' stay you get after a c-section. Some, such as the Westminster Wing at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, include two nights' stay whereas many others only include one then charge anything from £750 to £1,325 for each additional night.

Unexpected extras. Unforeseen interventions such as epidurals, instrumental deliveries, inductions and delivering a baby in breech position may be charged for separately and could collectively add thousands to your final bill, not to mention if you end up having an emergency c-section. You may need to spend some time in hospital before the birth and you'll be charged for this, too. For example, per night an antenatal admission at the Kensington Wing at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital costs £1,325.

Where you live. It may be that where you live could affect not only your access to private maternity facilities, most of which are based in London, but also what you pay. Although a London private birth is expensive, one Midlands clinic offers private delivery including up to a three-night hospital stay (plus follow up) for £17,000. 

How do you pay? You may be asked to pay half of your fees as early as 20 weeks and although some private facilities offer payment plans, many will ask for BACS transfer or credit card payment. Get a breakdown of what's included before you sign up. 

Why do parents choose to give birth in a private hospital?

In our 2022* survey, we asked 1,424 parents about where they had given birth - almost all had done so in an NHS hospital (90%) and around 4% gave birth in a private hospital or private wing.

There are various reasons you might choose to give birth in a private hospital or clinic, including:

• A desire for additional comfort and/or privacy
• Having more say in your care
• The chance to develop a closer relationship with your midwife and/or consultant
• Easy access to additional scans such as 3D and 4D ultrasound scans

*Baby & Child survey carried out in February 2022.

Best baby formula milk brands and expert buying advice - we compare the leading brands to discover whether one is better than another

What maternity care can I get on the NHS?

NHS antenatal care

With the NHS, you get seven to 10 antenatal appointments with a midwife, as well as blood tests and at least two free ultrasound scans.

If you have more complicated needs, you’ll also see a consultant (doctor) in addition to your midwife appointments. 

NHS when giving birth

Most women have their baby in an NHS maternity unit. If you choose to have a home birth, two NHS midwives will come to your home to support you during the birth.

Whether you give birth in a birth centre or a labour ward, you’ll always have your own room for the birth itself and be looked after by midwives. However, if you’re induced you may need to spend time on a shared antenatal ward.

Similarly, if you need to stay overnight after the birth it’s likely you’ll be moved to a postnatal ward, where you’ll be sharing a room and bathroom with a number of other women and their babies.

NHS postnatal care

Immediately after giving birth in an NHS facility, you'll go home a few hours after a straightforward birth or after a couple of days if you've had a c-section or experienced complications.

You’ll have postnatal appointments with NHS midwives once you’re back home. This may be at your home, or at a local clinic or children’s centre. 

The number of appointments varies, but most women tend to see a midwife three or four times postnatally.

We reveal the best breast pump brands and offer useful buying advice 

How can I enhance my NHS maternity care?

You can still choose aspects of private maternity care to suit your needs, even if you're not going completely private. In fact, our 2022 survey showed that out of just over 1,400 parents, nearly all had paid for private services during pregnancy or birth.

Private pregnancy scans and blood tests

Our 2022 research showed that almost all parents (83%) had a private scan during the pregnancy and around one in five (19%) had a private blood test.

The NHS provides you with all the diagnostic scans you need but some people pay for extras such as 3D and 4D scans at private clinics or private hospitals to enhance their experience, such as being able to see their baby's features more clearly and to get video footage of it.

For more information see our guide to NHS and private ultrasound scans during pregnancy. 

Private amenity room after the birth

Women having an NHS birth sometimes choose to pay to hire a private ‘amenity’ room within the NHS maternity unit, which give you more privacy but where you'll still be looked after by NHS midwives. 

The rooms are often just off the postnatal ward, and can cost anything from around £80 up to five times that, depending on where you are in the UK.

Our research showed that while just 6% of parents opted for a private amenity room in the NHS, almost all (97%) found it useful.

Hiring a doula 

A doula is someone who has training in supporting expectant and new parents, rather than a health professional, and as such they're not there to replace midwives or other health staff.

Your doula can work with you during your pregnancy, be with you as a birth partner or advocate, or provide support in the early days postnatally - their service is tailored to your needs.

In our survey, 5% of respondents paid to have a doula and 90% said they found it useful.

See all our nappy reviews

Is NHS maternity care always free?

The rules say no-one should ever be denied NHS maternity care, but in some cases it isn't free. 

The UK has a residence-based healthcare system so if you are 'ordinarily resident' here you're entitled to free NHS maternity care, whatever your citizenship or immigration status.

However, who is considered 'ordinarily resident' when it comes to NHS charging is complicated and the charity Maternity Action has a guide to who is considered 'ordinarily resident' in the UK to help you see where you stand.

Each NHS Trust has an Overseas Visitor Team with responsibility for reaching a decision about whether you'll be charge for your maternity care if you aren't ordinarily resident.

Can I choose to go private mid-way through my pregnancy?

Yes, and this may give you the benefit of some private care but without incurring the full cost.

To give you some idea, delivery by an obstetrician at the private facility of King's College London is £6,500 from 12 weeks of pregnancy, £5,500 from 28 weeks, £5,000 from 32 weeks and £4,500 from 36 weeks, although you'll generally pay 50% of your fees as early as 20 weeks and the remainder by 36 weeks.

Some private facilities - for example, the Sir Stanley Clayton Ward at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital in west London - have a consultant-led late transfer elective c-section package suitable for patients from 38 weeks onwards and this starts at £6,795 (excluding extras).

However, in other situations you could find that the amount it costs is the same as if you started it early on in your pregnancy.

For example, IMUK, which represents independent midwifery, says that because an independent midwife has fixed costs to bear and will often have to work harder within a short space of time to give you the care you need, you still pay the full amount.

If you cancel - for example, to return to the NHS -  you may be charged a cancellation fee (e.g. £400 at the Lindo Wing).

You should be aware that, as per Department of Health guidelines, if you transfer from private to NHS care you're not permitted to change back to private care.

How to buy the best baby bottle, steriliser, warmer and other feeding essentials- our pick of the top products to make feeding your baby easier

Can I pay for a private room in an NHS hospital after the birth?

The availability of private or 'amenity' rooms following delivery varies from one hospital to the next, as does the price.

Some offer single amenity rooms with shared facilities and some have private rooms with ensuite facilities. They may also have tea and coffee facilities and a television - some even allow someone to stay with you overnight.

However, even if your hospital has them, there's no guarantee you'll get one. They tend to be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and can't be held or booked in advance. 

Also, if you are occupying an amenity room that is needed by someone with a clinical need, you may have to relocate to an alternative room or a postnatal ward.

The cost varies from one hospital to the next but can start at around £80 for a single room with shared bathroom facilities, rising to, in some cases, upwards of £400 a night but whatever you pay, you are still an NHS patient and won't be given preferential treatment.

Can I hire a private midwife?

Yes, if you want more flexibility in your maternity care than the NHS can provide, you can look into hiring a private or independent midwife.

IMUK says a complete package of care throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period costs anywhere between £2,000 and £5,000, although it can cost as much as almost £9,000.

Most independent midwives are happy to accept payment in instalments or flexible payment plans, and in some special circumstances they may consider caring for women for a reduced fee.

In this video, an independent midwife explains what she believes are the benefits of using a paid-for, non-NHS midwife for maternity care.

Having a home birth with a private midwife

Many women who choose to have an independent or private midwife are planning to have a home birth. 

Private midwives can be a good option if you’re finding it difficult to get support for a home birth from your local NHS services.

If you’re having a home birth with a private midwife, there's still the possibility you may need to be transferred to hospital because you or your baby needs extra help. 

In this case, the NHS midwives and doctors in the hospital will take over your care. However, your private midwife will still be there to act as a supportive birth partner.

Postnatal care with a private midwife

Women who have given birth with private midwives can pay to carry on seeing the same midwife they had throughout their pregnancy, after the baby is born. 

Others may choose to supplement their NHS postnatal care by having additional private appointments as well.

As well as providing continuity of care, a private midwife can assist if you're having problems with breastfeeding and will also be a familiar face if you've had a challenging or difficult birth.

See all our baby and child reviews and advice for information on child car seats, pushchairs, baby monitors, nursery furniture and much more.