How Much Does an Independent Midwife Cost?

Jul 9

3 min read

Updated: Aug 23

If you're exploring independent midwifery care, cost is often one of the first questions on your mind, and it's a fair one to ask. Here's an honest breakdown of what affects pricing and what you can expect when you work with an independent midwife.

What independent midwifery care actually includes

Unlike a single appointment or one-off service, independent midwifery is built around continuity of care. That means the same midwife supporting you through pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period, rather than meeting a different person at every appointment. The cost reflects that ongoing relationship: unlimited access to your midwife, flexible appointment times and locations, and someone who knows your history, your preferences, and your birth plan inside out.

What affects Independent Midwife Cost

A few things typically shape the overall cost:

Package type – whether you're booking full continuity of care (antenatal, birth, and postnatal) or a more focused package, such as postnatal support or home birth support alone
Where you live – care across London, Essex, and Hertfordshire may vary slightly depending on travel
When you get in touch – booking earlier in pregnancy generally means more antenatal visits included, while later bookings are often postnatal-only or birth-focused

A quick look at the packages

To give you a realistic idea, here's a summary of what's currently available:

Full continuity of care, from early pregnancy – £8,995, including 4 weeks of postnatal care. This is the most comprehensive option: antenatal care from around 6 weeks of pregnancy right through to birth and beyond, with the same midwife throughout.

Full continuity of care, from 28 weeks – £7,995, also including 4 weeks of postnatal care. Same level of support, starting a little later in pregnancy.

Full continuity of care, from 34 weeks – £6,995, including 4 weeks of postnatal care. Ideal if you're coming to independent midwifery later in your pregnancy but still want continuity through birth and the early weeks.

Antenatal care only (birth support not included) – £1,995 to £2,895, depending on when you start care.

Postnatal care only – £1, 695 for 2 weeks or £2,495 for 4 weeks of dedicated postnatal support, including feeding help, recovery support, and newborn screening.

Single antenatal or postnatal home visit – £195/£250 for a one-off clinical check-up, including a fit-to-fly letter or MATB1 form if needed.

There's also a free 20-minute video consultation to start, and an optional £150 initial home visit that's fully redeemable against your care plan if you go on to book one. Bespoke packages can be arranged too, so if none of the above quite fits, it's still worth getting in touch.

Is it worth it?

Many families find that having one trusted midwife throughout, rather than a rotating team, changes the entire experience of pregnancy and birth. You're not repeating your story at every visit, you're not meeting your midwife for the first time in labour, and you have someone to call directly when something feels off or you just need reassurance.

This isn't just anecdotal. A 2024 Cochrane review found that women receiving continuity of midwife care were less likely to need a caesarean or instrumental birth, and reported more positive experiences throughout pregnancy, labour, and the postnatal period compared with other models of care.

Get a clear answer for your situation

Every pregnancy is different, so the best way to get an accurate cost for your circumstances is to have a conversation. You can see my full packages on my pricing page, or get in touch directly and I'll talk you through what would suit you best.

Supporting families across London, Essex & Hertfordshire