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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.
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Find out moreYes, 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.
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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):
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.
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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.
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.
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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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