What is private maternity care?
Private maternity care can give you more choice over where you receive care, who looks after you and some of the services available during pregnancy and birth. However, the services and costs vary considerably between providers. Before you commit, it is important to understand what is included, what could cost extra and what would happen if you or your baby needed emergency or specialist care.
You can access:
- Additional private services alongside NHS care, such as scans or consultations.
- Private antenatal or postnatal care, while giving birth through the NHS.
- A privately funded birth package, led by a consultant or midwife.
What do I get with private maternity care?
Below are some examples of what you can get through private maternity care. However, the range of services offered by each provider is different. Your hospital might offer a complete maternity package, separate services or a mix of both. Check with your provider what is available.
Antenatal care
Most providers will offer ultrasound scans. The scans use sound waves to show an image of the baby in your womb on a screen. You can have them at any stage of pregnancy, and there are no known side effects. Your care team will use them to check on your baby’s development and pick up on possible problems.
You might also be offered other screening tests. This might be because you have a higher risk of complications or because of something picked up by a scan. You can also have tests you choose to have. Some of these tests carry risks. Your care team will explain these before you decide.
Some providers run their own antenatal classes. These sessions will help you to prepare for when you have your baby. They will also cover things like breastfeeding and your new role as a parent.
Childbirth
Private maternity care can include support and medical care when you give birth. You might have a vaginal birth with a consultant or midwife looking after you. A consultant can also offer assisted delivery if needed. This is where they use special equipment to help guide your baby out. These can be called forceps or a ventouse.
Your private provider might have different options for your vaginal birth. For example, they might have a birthing pool. Talk to them to see what they offer.
A baby may be born vaginally or by Caesarean section (or C-section for short). A Caesarean section is an operation in which the baby is delivered through cuts made in the abdomen and womb.
A C-section might happen in an emergency if you have complications with a vaginal birth. However, it is sometimes also available as a planned (elective) procedure. Your care team might recommend this if it’s the safest option for you and your baby. They will explain why this is.
Some people choose to have a C-section for non-medical reasons. If you are thinking about this, talk to your care team. It is a major operation, and they will be able to explain the risks.
Each birth is unique, and it is not possible to plan exactly what care you will need. Be aware of this when you are arranging your private care. There could be extra costs that you have not prepared for. See the ‘How much does private maternity care cost?’ section below.
Postnatal care
The maternity services on offer usually continue after you have had your baby.
Postnatal care might include:
- physical care for you, including checks on your tummy and any stitches you have had
- postnatal physiotherapy for you
- breastfeeding support
- newborn checks for your baby
A maternity package will include a certain number of nights in hospital after you have had your baby.
Who provides private maternity care?
There are lots of providers offering different aspects of private maternity care. Some focus on only one aspect, for example scans. Others offer complete packages.
Here are some of the options:
- A private hospital, where a specialist consultant (obstetrician) leads your care
- A private midwife-led unit
- A private ward attached to an NHS hospital
- An independent midwife supporting with a home birth, antenatal care and postnatal care
What is the difference between NHS and private maternity care?
The NHS provides free maternity care for UK residents. This includes antenatal appointments with a midwife and at least two ultrasound scans.
Here are some of the key differences between NHS and private maternity care:
- The NHS is free, while you will need to pay for all private care. See the ‘How much does private maternity care cost?’ section below.
- Private care may offer greater choice of consultant, appointment time, location or room.
- Many private providers offer early scans and later ones for reassurance. They often have the technology to show you video (4D) images of your baby. These services are not routinely provided by the NHS.
- You will usually see the same consultant or midwife for all your private maternity care. This is not always possible in NHS care.
- The availability of emergency, neonatal and other specialist services differs between hospitals.
- Paying privately does not necessarily mean that care will be clinically better.
Where can I go private?
Most private maternity units are located alongside NHS hospitals so critical care is nearby if problems arise. Most are in London, with some in Manchester, Oxford and Birmingham. HCA International’s Portland Hospital is the only fully private maternity and paediatric hospital, with critical care on site.
Can I mix NHS and private maternity care?
Yes. Many people choose elements of private care as add-ons to complement their NHS care. For example, you might have a private scan in early pregnancy while you are waiting for your 12-week NHS scan. You might pay for an independent midwife as well as benefiting from the standard NHS package of care.
You are still fully entitled to NHS care when you pay for private services.
If you plan to switch your care between NHS and private partway through your pregnancy, there are some extra things you might need to think about:
- Information may not move automatically between NHS and private services. Ask both care teams how your maternity notes, test results, medication and care plan will be shared. Do not assume that each team can see the other’s records.
- Some maternity care comes as a fixed-cost package. You might therefore end up paying the same as you would have done for private care right from the start. Make sure you understand the costs and what your care includes.
Another option you might have is an amenity bed. These are usually single ensuite rooms within NHS maternity wards. You pay a fee for the benefit of having a private room, but all your care is still provided by the NHS at no cost. You will not get faster or better care by paying for an amenity bed. Contact your local NHS maternity ward or look on their website to see if this is an option for you. Rooms will usually be limited and subject to availability.
How do I get private maternity care?
Contact your private hospital or healthcare provider to find out what you need to do to get started.
Find consultants offering private maternity services in your area using our homepage. You can search for specific procedures like ‘C-section’ or ‘vaginal birth’. You can also search for ‘Obstetrics and gynaecology’ more widely in the ‘Speciality’ box.
What happens if something goes wrong during a birth?
Many private maternity wards are attached to NHS hospitals, giving you access to a range of nearby specialist services if problems arise during your private birth.
Units may be led by consultants or midwives. If complications arise in a midwife-led unit, you may need to move to the labour ward or another part of the NHS hospital.
Check whether your NHS hospital has its own neonatal unit. If your baby needs special care, they may receive it in an NHS unit while you continue your postnatal care privately.
Questions you can ask:
- Is a consultant available at all times?
- Is there an on-site neonatal unit?
- Is an anaesthetist available if I want urgent pain relief?
- What happens if something goes wrong during pregnancy?
- Could my baby and I be treated in different hospitals?
- Would private charges continue after I transfer?
How much does private maternity care cost?
PHIN estimates a private birth can cost £10,000 to £20,000 or more , depending on the hospital, the type of birth and the consultant you choose. For a consultant-led planned C-section, examples we reviewed suggest the total cost of hospital and consultant fees alone can be around £12,500 to £20,000 . Other costs, such as anaesthetist fees, extra nights in hospital, tests or additional treatment, may be charged separately. See ‘Price Lists’ below.
When comparing prices, check both the hospital fee and the consultant's fee . Ask for a written estimate of the total expected cost, including what is covered and what you might have to pay for separately.
Here are some example costs:
- An early pregnancy scan might cost between £50 and £150. This varies by location and the technology they use.
- A private midwife might cost between £4,000 and £8,000 for antenatal, birth and postnatal care.
- A private hospital might charge £7,000-£10,000 for consultant-led vaginal birth. The consultant surgeon and anaesthetists’ fees are not included which can be £6,000 - £12,000.
- A C-section birth will add around £2,000 to these costs.
Find out from your provider exactly what your package includes. It is important that you understand any extra costs.
What is not included in a package price?
Here are some things you might have to pay more for on top of your package:
- being pregnant with more than one baby
- pain relief
- extra tests and scans
- stitches and dressings
- medication
- turning your baby around to prepare for birth
- induction (starting your labour with medication)
- assisted delivery (using special equipment during the birth)
- extra nights in hospital
- accommodation for your partner
A 2026 report by Which? estimates that a total maternity package could cost £20,000. This includes antenatal care, birth and postnatal care. It also includes extra costs.
Does private healthcare insurance cover pregnancy and childbirth?
Private healthcare insurance does not usually cover normal pregnancy and childbirth. You will usually need to self-fund any private maternity care you have.
Some insurance policies might cover serious pregnancy complications, but this varies. Check with your own provider to find out if your policy covers any of your care.
Non-medical private maternity services
There are many companies and individuals offering paid-for non-medical maternity support. These include doulas.
Doulas are non-medical professionals who provide continuous support throughout pregnancy, birth and beyond. They can offer advice as well as physical, emotional and practical support. They do not deliver babies or do medical checks.
Doulas do not need a professional qualification to be able to offer services. You should therefore look for recommendations and ask about their professional experience. The membership organisation Doula UK has more information about approved training.
Price lists
Further information
- NHS – Pregnancy (antenatal) care, checks and screening tests https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/your-pregnancy-care/
- NHS – Caesarean section https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/caesarean-section/
- IMUK – FAQs about independent midwives https://imuk.org.uk/families-faqs/
- Which? – NHS vs private maternity care: what are your options? https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/birthing-options/article/nhs-vs-private-maternity-care-what-are-your-options-aeYb37A1bvRx
