NHS vs private maternity care: what are your options?

From how much it costs to what's included and how to access it, we compare NHS and private maternity care to help you decide what's right for you
Martha RobertsSenior content writer
BO-NHS-vs-private-health-care

From paying for scans and doulas to private hospitals and amenity beds, this guide explains what's available if you 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 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

An expectant couple talking to a nurse in a hospital waiting room.

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. 

NHS maternity care: cons

  • You might not get the birth you want. The NHS will try to support your wishes but if, for example, all the birthing pools at your chosen facility are in use when you need one, the water birth you hoped for might not happen.
  • 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.

Best pregnancy pillows: we enlisted mums-to-be to test 10 popular pregnancy and nursing pillows costing from £25 up to £160


Private maternity care: pros

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

Private maternity care: cons

  • It's expensive. Even with a package it can cost many thousands of pounds and that's before the added 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 private facility near you. Most are in the London, which might be problematic if you need to factor in antenatal care and also if your birth happens quickly and unexpectedly. 

Looking to buy private health insurance?

Find the right private health insurance policy using the service provided by LifeSearch.

Find out more

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 parents-to-be would like 3D or 4D scans to see the baby's features more closely and 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.


What to pack in your hospital bag - from newborn necessities to labour ward essentials including ear plugs, our guide makes sure you have everything you need


How much does a private birth cost?

When we looked in September 2023, the lowest cost we found for a vaginal delivery with a consultant was £5,995 (the Westminster Maternity Suite at Guy's and St Thomas's Hospital in London) and the highest was £7,110 (at the Portland Hospital), but you may end up paying additional charges.

We totted up some of these to demonstrate how these hidden extras can soon add up and reached a grand total of £8,998* in addition to the basic consultant-led care package starting from £6,625, making a grand total of £15,623.

Here are some examples of extras you might pay for and what they could cost you (based on prices from  The Kensington Wing): 

  • Diagnostic and tissue testing: £24 for individual blood tests, £120 for histopathology (examining cells under a microscope) and £400 for an NIPT screen test (Harmony Test).
  • Pregnancy scans: Some may be included in your package, otherwise expect to pay at least £200 for each scan eg £210 for six-to-10 week dating scan and £310 for 20-week fetal anomaly scan.
  • Anaesthetics and pain relief: £850 for an epidural (£500 for a top-up plus £275 private unit charge), £750 for c-section anaesthesia (£500 for top-up), £400 for instrumental delivery anaesthesia.
  • Stitches and sutures: £900 for cervical or abdominal sutures (plus £300 for the anaesthetic) and around £200 for their removal.
  • Dressings and medication: Pharmacy charges for prescriptions and medication from £9, plus dressings from £50.
  • Induction and instrumental delivery: £525 for an induction, £525 for an instrumental delivery by a consultant obstetrician (not including additional obstetrician or anaesthetist fees), £1,540 to have your placenta surgically delivered and £30 plus handling fee for each unit of blood products if required.
  • Hospital visits before or after the birth: £1,325 antenatal admission per night, £250 prenatal ward attendance of less than three hours/£530 as a day case and £950 for a maternity day admission with a surgical procedure and £525 for an external cephalic version (ECV) procedure to turn your baby around.
  • Extra nights stay (after first night): £1,325 in postnatal room.

Some of the private facilities we looked at list additional extras online while others ask you to get in touch for more information. Either way, check so you know what's included and what's not.

Other extras to factor in may include additional costs for multiple births, and travel and accommodation 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 (eg £11,700 for a c-section at the Lindo Wing).

* Individual blood tests £24, histopathology £120, Harmony/NIPT test £400, £530 as day case at prenatal ward, external cephalic version (ECV, or turning the baby) £525, epidural £850 plus top-up £500 and private unit epidural charge £275, induction from £525, instrumental delivery £525 and anaesthesia £400, surgical delivery of placenta £1540, cervical or abdominal sutures £900 plus anaesthetic £300 and suture removal £200, dressings from £50, pharmacy charges for prescriptions and medication from £9, additional night in postnatal room £1,325.  Based on prices from The Kensington Wing at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, correct as of 28 September 2023.


Taking your new arrival home in a child car seat? Choose one that's passed our tough crash tests


What maternity care can I get on the NHS?

Pregnant women at an NHS antenatal class

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, but if you choose to have your baby at home, two NHS midwives will come to support you during the birth.

You'll always have your own room in a hospital or birth centre for the birth itself and be looked after by midwives. But 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

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. 


Best baby formula milk - find out everything you need to know including how the leading formula milk brands compare


How can I enhance my NHS maternity care?

A woman looking at a 3D scan of a baby on a handheld tablet.

You can still choose aspects of private maternity care to suit your needs, even if you're not going completely private.

In fact, our February 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 a large number parents (83%) had a private scan during the pregnancy and 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 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

Women having an NHS birth sometimes choose to pay to hire a private ‘amenity’ room within the NHS maternity unit to give them more privacy. 

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, 97% found it useful.

Hiring a doula 

A doula is trained in supporting expectant and new parents, but they're not there to replace midwives or other health staff.

They can work with you during your pregnancy, be with you as an advocate or birth partner, 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% of these said they found it useful.


Take a look at the most popular breast pump brands and types of breast pump to choose from


Is NHS maternity care always free?

A couple with a baby in an NHS maternity room

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.

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 mid-way through my pregnancy?

Yes, and this may help you to keep the costs down.

For example, delivery by an obstetrician at the private facility of King's College London is £7,500 from 12 weeks of pregnancy, £6,500 from 28 weeks, £6,000 from 32 weeks and £5,500 from 36 weeks.

However, in other situations 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 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.

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.


Best disposable nappies: see how parents rated Pampers against Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, Asda and other own-label nappies 


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

A pregnant woman looking out of the window of a private amenity room in an NHS hospital.

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 en suite 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.


Baby bottles, sterilisers, warmers and other feeding essentials- we explain how to make feeding your baby easier


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, 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.

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.


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


 Which? Limited is registered in England and Wales to 2 Marylebone Road, London NW1 4DF, company number 00677665  and is an Introducer Appointed Representative (FRN 610689) of the following:1. Inspop.com Ltd for the introduction of non-investment motor, home, travel and pet insurance, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to provide advice and arrange non-investment motor, home, travel and pet insurance products (FRN310635) and is registered in England and Wales to Greyfriars House, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff, South Wales, CF10 3AL, company number 03857130. Confused.com is a trading name of Inspop.com Ltd.2. LifeSearch Partners Limited (FRN656479), for the introduction of Pure Protection Contracts and Private Health Insurance, who are authorised and regulated by the FCA to provide advice and arrange Pure Protection Contracts and Private Health Insurance Contracts.  LifeSearch Partners Ltd is registered in England and Wales to 3000a Parkway, Whiteley, Hampshire, PO15 7FX, company number 03412386.3.Optimise Media Limited (FRN 313408), for the introduction of HSBC Group, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to provide credit brokering activity. Optimise Media is registered in England and Wales to Exchange Street Buildings, 35-37 Exchange Street, Norwich, England, NR2 1DP and company number 04455319.4. HUB Financial Solutions, for the introduction of equity release advice, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’) to provide advice and guidance on financial products for those who have retired or are approaching retirement (FCA Firm Reference Number: 455713). HUB Financial Solutions is registered in England and Wales to Enterprise House, Bancroft Road, Reigate, Surrey RH12 7RP, company number 05125701. We do not make, nor do we seek to make, any recommendations or personalised advice on financial products or services that are regulated by the FCA, as we’re not regulated or authorised by the FCA to advise you in this way. In some cases, however, we have included links to regulated brands or providers with whom we have a commercial relationship and, if you choose to, you can buy a product from our commercial partners. If you go ahead and buy a product using our link, we will receive a commission to help fund our not-for-profit mission and our campaigns work as a champion for the UK consumer. Please note that a link alone does not constitute an endorsement by Which?.