NHS vs private maternity care: what are your options?

From paying for scans and doulas to private hospitals and amenity beds, this guide explains what’s available if you decide to go private before, during or after giving birth.

We also list the pros and cons for both NHS and private maternity services and explain what you might expect to pay if you choose private care.

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NHS vs private maternity care: pros and cons

NHS maternity care

Pros

• It’s free This includes scans, antenatal care, the birth itself and postnatal care. Although there may be some exceptions for non-UK residents, you’ll never be turned away from NHS maternity care.
• You have access to a wide range of experts You’ll be under the care of some of the world’s best obstetrics experts without having to pay.
• You have some choices about your birth There’s some scope to tailor your experience, such as deciding where you give birth, switching hospitals and requesting an elective C-section. 

Cons

• You might not get the birth you want The NHS will try to support your wishes but it might not be possible – for example, you might not have a water birth if all the birthing pools at your chosen facility are already in use.
• You might not feel as supported as with private care Staff shortages and shift changes can mean various midwives may be looking after you during your pregnancy, which can be unsettling.

Private maternity care

Pros

• A team of familiar experts and consistent care Whether it’s an obstetrician or midwife-led delivery, you’ll get to know your team throughout your maternity care and birth. 
• Regular contact and flexible appointments You can contact the facility as much as you like and you may even have your obstetrician’s mobile number for out-of-hours use, plus you can have more say over when your appointments, tests and procedures are scheduled. 
• Hotel-like facilities Luxury and privacy are standard and facilities often include 24-hour room service, en suite facilities and more flexible visiting hours.

Cons

• It’s expensive Even with a package it can cost many thousands of pounds and that’s without including extras that would be standard with the NHS.
• You may end up with NHS treatment anyway Most private delivery services are situated within or next to NHS hospitals and in an emergency they’ll use their facilities, such as an obstetric emergency theatre on a standard labour ward. The Portland Hospital has its own intensive-care facilities for newborns and mums.
• There might not be a private facility near you Most are in the London, which may be problematic if you need to factor in antenatal care and also if your birth happens quickly and unexpectedly. 

Can I give birth in a private hospital?

Yes, you can choose to give birth in a private maternity hospital or unit, or you can even 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 parents-to-be would like 3D or 4D scans to see the baby’s features more closely. These are only available privately.

Giving birth in a private hospital or in an NHS private wing means your chosen consultant will look after you for your antenatal care, delivery and postnatal care, unless you choose midwife-led care.

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How much does a private hospital birth cost?

There isn't a 'one size fits all' answer to this and although many private units break down the various costs on their websites for transparency, every birth is unique.

However, we've looked at the main elements of private maternity care – the package price, the extra costs and professional fees – to help give you a rough idea of what your final bill could be. 

The 'package price' and what you get

You'll find prices online or in the brochures of private maternity hospitals or units and these outline how much you'll pay for a consultant-led delivery (vaginal or Caesarean) or a midwife-led delivery (where available).

For a vaginal delivery, the price for a consultant-led package was between £6,200 and £9,000, while a C-section varied from £7,500 up to £10,450.

However, this price tends to cover hospital fees only and although this may include fundamentals such as midwifery care during labour and infant feeding support, there is plenty that isn't included – and you'll pay extra for.

You also need to factor in your consultant obstetrician's professional fees (and possibly those of an anaesthetist), not to mention any extra costs incurred along the way (see further down).

The extra costs and what you get

You'll also need funds for additional services. Here are some examples of what these might be (based on prices from The Kensington Wing): 

• Diagnostic and tissue testing: Individual tests vary (for example, a full blood count costs £63 and a urine culture costs £42), a Harmony test is £400.
• Antenatal scans: Some may be included in your package otherwise you'll pay for each scan – for example, £225 for a dating scan and £325 for a foetal anomaly scan.
• Anaesthetics and pain relief: Administration of epidural pain relief in labour is £850, anaesthesia for C-section is £750, top-ups of existing epidurals between £400 and £500.
• Stitches and sutures: £925 for cervical or abdominal sutures (plus £300 for the anaesthetic). 
• Dressings and medication: Pharmacy charges for prescriptions and medication from £9, plus dressings from £50.
• Turning your baby around (external cephalic version, ECV). £550.
• Induction and instrumental delivery: £550 for an induction, £550 for an instrumental delivery by a consultant obstetrician (not including additional obstetrician or anaesthetist fees).
• Having your placenta surgically delivered: £1,590.
• Hospital visits before or after the birth: £1,250 antenatal admission per night, £275 prenatal ward attendance of less than three hours, £565 as a day case and £985 for a maternity day admission with a surgical procedure. 

There'll be additional costs for multiple births as well as the price of travelling to your chosen facility (most are in the London area), plus be prepared to pay a deposit that’s either a percentage or a flat fee.

The total cost of private maternity care

As every birth is unique it's impossible to give a total cost in advance but after adding up your delivery package and additional extras, you may end up spending around £20,000.

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Does private health insurance cover giving birth?

No, private health insurance doesn't cover pregnancy and birth as these are listed as standard health exclusions. This is because they’re considered lifestyle choices rather than illnesses.

Conditions that can be caused only by pregnancy or childbirth aren’t covered, either, although a condition that can also be experienced outside pregnancy and childbirth may be.

That said, some complications arising from pregnancy and childbirth that affect the health of the mother may be covered by your policy. These include miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and retained placenta after the birth.

There may be occasions when a C-section is covered, but this depends on factors such as your insurer, your policy and whether your consultant deems the C-section to be medically necessary.

Check your policy to see what is and isn’t covered. Check, too, how long you need to have had the cover for to be entitled to make any pregnancy-related claims.

Some policies include a small cash benefit following the birth or adoption of a child, although this isn't a standard feature and varies by insurer.

Private antenatal scans and antenatal classes aren’t covered by private health insurance, but you can get these on the NHS as well as paying for them privately.

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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

A lot of women have their baby in an NHS maternity unit, but if you choose to have your baby at home, two NHS midwives will come to support you during the birth.

You’ll usually have your own room in a hospital or birth centre for the birth itself, and be looked after by midwives. However, if you’re induced – and also if you’re staying overnight following the birth – you may need to spend time on a shared antenatal ward.

NHS postnatal care

Ideally, 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 an average of three to four postnatal appointments with NHS midwives once discharged, either at your home, or at a local clinic or children’s centre. 

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Can I pay to 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.

Private pregnancy scans and blood tests

The NHS provides you with all the diagnostic scans you need, but some people pay for extras, such as 3D and 4D scans, at a private facility 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

A private room within an NHS maternity unit isn't the same as private care, but it's way of having more privacy for a relatively small outlay.

Although these can't be booked in advance and there's no guarantee you'll get one, mention your request to the labour ward midwife after the birth, in case there's availability.

Hiring a doula 

A doula is trained in supporting expectant and new parents, and their services can be tailored to your needs.

Although they're not intended to replace midwives or other health staff, they can work with you during your pregnancy, be your birth partner or advocate, or give you postnatal support.

Costs vary, but Doula UK says many doulas have flexibility when it comes to fees. The NCT says if you have a due date between the end of February and mid-April, advanced student NCT doulas may be an option for high-quality support at a reduced cost.

Private vs NHS maternity care FAQs

Is NHS maternity care always free?

The rules say no one should ever be denied NHS maternity care; however, 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.

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 charged for your maternity care if you aren’t ordinarily resident.

Can I choose to go private midway through my pregnancy?

Yes, and this may help you to keep the costs down, though you could find that the amount it costs is the same as if you started private treatment earlier on in your pregnancy.

For example, IMUK, which represents independent midwifery, says that because an independent midwife has fixed costs 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.

You also may not be able to switch back to private care after moving to NHS care.

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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, others have private rooms with ensuite facilities and there may also be additional provisions such as tea and coffee, a TV and scope for someone to stay with you overnight.

However, they tend to be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and can’t be held or booked in advance, so there’s no guarantee you’ll get one. Plus you may have to relocate to a postnatal ward to accommodate someone with a clinical need greater than yours.

Costs vary, but can start at around £80 for a single room with shared bathroom facilities, rising to, in some cases, upwards of £400 a night. 

Whatever you end up paying, you are still an NHS patient and won’t be given preferential treatment.

Can I hire a private midwife?

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, though it can be more.

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.

Having a home birth with a private midwife

Some women who choose to have an independent or private midwife also plan 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 can 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.

In addition to 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.

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