Independent Midwives

Independent midwives are midwives who have chosen to work outside the NHS in a self-employed capacity to provide pregnancy care. Usually one private midwife gives care to a woman or birthing person and her family throughout a pregnancy.

Most independent midwives attend births at home, or occasionally in private birth centres. If you are planning a hospital birth or need to be transferred to hospital, you will need to consider the role of your midwife. If you transfer to hospital with your private midwife, you will be attended by an NHS midwife, and the independent midwife can remain with you, but only as a birth companion or advocate.

Independent midwives form relationships of trust with pregnant women, which then help women to feel safe and supported when they go into labour. Many independent midwives have become very experienced in areas of childbirth that within the NHS are usually dealt with by obstetric management. These include:

• breech birth
• twins
• vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC)

An independent midwife can be booked at any point during your pregnancy, up to 7 days before your estimated due date. Some will give free consultations to women who are considering all their birthing options.

Independent midwives do charge for their services. The amount will depend on where you live and the type of service they provide. You can book their care for the postnatal period too. Most independent midwives will accept payment in installments.