Understanding Your Options for Private Maternity Care in the UK

By Miss Jess McMicking, Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist

When you're pregnant, one of the first decisions you’ll face is how and where to receive your care. In the UK, the flexibility of the system means you can choose full private maternity care, stick with the NHS, or combine both for a hybrid model that works best for your needs.

There’s no one-size-fits-all path — just the one that feels right for you.

Why Some Women Choose Private Maternity Care

For some expectant mothers, private maternity care offers additional support, choice, and reassurance. Depending on your needs, here are a few reasons to consider it:

1. More Time and Personalised Attention

Private consultations are typically longer, giving you time to ask detailed questions, discuss concerns, and receive tailored advice based on your health history, lifestyle, and birth preferences.

2. Continuity of Care

Many women value seeing the same obstetrician or midwife throughout their journey — someone who knows your story and builds trust over time.

3. Convenient Scheduling

Private appointments usually offer shorter wait times and more flexible hours, ideal for those balancing work, travel, or additional monitoring needs.

4. Expanded Screening and Scans

Private providers often offer additional or early scans, such as Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), which may not be routinely available on the NHS.

How Much Does Private Maternity Care Cost?

Private maternity care costs vary depending on location, hospital, and the level of service. Typically, fees are broken down into three categories:

1. Hospital Fees – Covering the birth, any theatre use, your postnatal stay, and facilities.

2. Obstetrician Fees – The consultant who leads your care and attends your delivery.

3. Anaesthetist Fees – Usually charged if you opt for an epidural or require a caesarean.

There are also midwifery-led packages, often with lower fees than consultant-led care, while still offering a high level of support.

Typical Private Maternity Costs in London:

• Starting from £15,000 for basic packages

• Upwards of £20,000 at top private maternity hospitals for full antenatal, birth, and postnatal care

Can You Combine Private and NHS Maternity Care?

Yes — and many women do.

This hybrid model allows you to stay under NHS care while booking additional private appointments for reassurance or specialist advice. This approach can give you peace of mind without committing to a full private maternity package.

Options include:

• 💬 One-off consultations with a private obstetrician (£250–£450 per session)

• 🖥 Private scans, including early pregnancy, growth, or well-being scans

• 🩺 Second opinions or review of high-risk histories or complex symptoms

• 👩‍⚕️ Birth planning after a previous caesarean or traumatic birth experience

What Women Value Most in Their Care

Whether your care is private, NHS, or blended, mothers consistently tell us they appreciate:

• Being listened to

• Feeling unhurried

• Clear, thorough explanations

• Understanding their choices

• Feeling empowered in their birth plan

Private care can help complement the NHS by providing extra time, consistency, and peace of mind — especially for women who want a familiar face at their birth or are navigating higher-risk pregnancies.

Choosing What’s Right for You

Ultimately, the best maternity care is the one that works for you. That might mean:

• Staying fully with the NHS and feeling beautifully supported

• Choosing a few private appointments for added reassurance

• Opting for a full private maternity package for peace of mind and continuity

If you’re unsure which path is right, speaking with your midwife, GP, or a private obstetrician can help you make an informed decision based on your personal priorities.