I understand your concern—I had it too, and I regretted not hiring an independent midwife when my NHS midwife didn’t show up for my birth. For me, it wasn’t a question of whether I had the money; I did. It was about what I wanted that money to do. That money was my safety net, set aside for any eventuality that might affect my ability to work. Right now, those savings allow me to stay home with my little one beyond my paid maternity leave and give me the freedom to establish my own independent midwifery practice. This cushion means I can be selective about my clients—because the relationship between a midwife and her client needs to work both ways.
HOW MUCH DO YOU PAY FOR HOLIDAYS, YOUR WEDDING, YOUR GARDEN, YOUR BABY, OR YOUR EDUCATION?
Think about what you spend money on.
- Did you recently get married and spend £20000?.
- Have you had your garden landscaped for £6000?
- How many holidays over £2000 have you taken this year?
- How much did your masters cost? £9000?
- Are you planning on spending over £3000 for baby essentials?
If you answered “yes” to most of these, chances are you could afford your dream birth—or perhaps you’ve already spent that money elsewhere. If you answered “no,” like me, maybe you have savings set aside. And yes, many are struggling to make ends meet and can’t afford either. But not all is lost—you can still prepare for a wonderful birth with support from other birth keepers.
The key is to identify your priorities. Of course, you can have a home birth through the NHS, so why pay for an independent midwife? If this is your second birth and you had a traumatic experience the first time, you likely already understand the value of private care. If this is your first birth and you’re navigating the system, let me highlight some invaluable benefits of hiring a midwife.
BENEFITS IF YOU PAY FOR AN INDEPENDENT MIDWIFE: WHAT ARE THEY WORTH TO YOU?
Intimacy and Trust: You get to know the person who will be there during one of the most intimate moments of your life. How do you feel about getting naked in front of strangers, pooping in public toilets, or having an orgasm on a plane? Birth has often been compared to having sex—you want to be selective about who’s present. How much would you pay for a midwife who supports you in such intimacy?
Confidence and Support: You gain the trust of someone who will walk with you on your journey to motherhood. Childbirth can be an anxiety-filled experience with providers projecting their fears onto you. You want to know your midwife has your back, that she understands your concerns, and that she’ll respect your choices. Unlike an NHS midwife, who cannot guarantee your birth plan will be respected, an independent midwife can offer that assurance. How much would you pay for an independent midwife’s trust?
Time and Attention: You receive nearly unlimited time to achieve the above. I typically allocate two hours for appointments, with time to spill over if needed, and I don’t charge for overtime. I’m also available for WhatsApp and phone calls during my working hours. How much would you pay for an independent midwife’s unlimited time?
Availability and Dedication: I’m on call for your birth from 37 to 42 weeks (or beyond), ready to drop everything—even a birthday party—to be with you. This level of commitment is a big ask for anyone. How would you charge for such availability if you were asked to do it at your workplace? How much would you pay for an independent midwife’s full availability?
Exclusivity: I’m exclusively yours and attend only a few other clients each month to ensure I can make it to your birth. How would you price that exclusivity? I can book roughly two women per month, sometimes less. How much would you pay for an independent midwife’s exclusivity?
Two for One: Yes, there will be a second midwife at the end of your birth—someone you’ll have met beforehand, who will stay in the background for safety reasons. This also serves as a backup in case I can’t make it. However, I work to help you realize that you can birth by yourself, that you don’t need us. The only person who can birth your baby is you. We’re there just in case. How much would you pay for an independent midwife’s skills in keeping your baby safe?
Personalized Care: This is crucial for you to retain control over your birth. Have you ever faced bureaucratic nonsense that doesn’t make sense but reflects someone’s fear of making a decision because it’s above their pay grade? Let me share a quick story to illustrate this…
During the pandemic, a woman at the birth centre wanted to go outside for a cigarette immediately after giving birth. There were strict rules about who could come and go, and it was the middle of the night. The midwives were concerned that she might pass out on the stairs (despite no specific risk factors), but the woman understood the risks and still wanted to go outside. She was NOT ALLOWED. Are hospitals prisons? The situation became so tense that the woman had to self-discharge, which put her health at greater risk. She still had to return the next day for the midwives to check her baby. When she did, she wasn’t allowed back into the birth centre (due to protocols) and couldn’t be admitted to the postnatal ward. Instead, she had to wait in triage for a midwife to see her. When I met her, she was in tears. A manager could have overruled these restrictions, but no one was willing to think outside the box and prioritize the woman’s needs over the rules. She was also indirectly judged and punished for her choices.
So, consider this: if you walk into a hospital wanting care that’s outside the norm, who will have your back? How much would you pay for an independent midwife who truly has your back?
- Supporting Independent Midwifery: Finally, by hiring an independent midwife, you’re supporting a movement that enables women to access this exceptional level of care. In 2014, independent midwives were deemed not to have adequate indemnity insurance to practice, making it illegal to attend home births outside the NHS. Even today, there are bureaucratic hurdles, like registering your baby’s birth or getting an NHS number. How much would you pay an independent midwife to support her in providing this vital service?
Being an independent midwife is a political act. Supporting us is an act of solidarity—it’s about understanding that women deserve better. History shows that when the NHS funds services like these (e.g., the Albany practice in South London, One to One Midwives, Neighbourhood Midwives), women experience better health outcomes.
CONCLUSION
I hope this has given you some food for thought about whether £6,000-7,000 is well spent on an independent midwife. How much would you pay for her work? Keep reading this blog or check my Instagram to learn more about independent midwifery, and I’d love to hear from you.
Brilliant
Well done
Great to see a midwife putting self care into action
The cost of not having an imw is free trauma
Feel free to be in touch
Paul
Thank you for your comment. Will do 🙂