Your Guide to Having a Baby in the NHS: Understanding the Options for Your Maternity Care and Birth

Pregnancy is a time of rapid knowledge acquisition. It brings a tonne of new questions and decisions to be made, all wrapped up in hormones and emotions. It can feel like a whirlwind.

On top of all that is the pressure to make the right decision. There are plenty of options to choose from: hypnobirthing (group classes or 121 sessions), NCT, virtual doula care, birth doula care.... Even the NHS offers you a variety of options for your antenatal education, labour and birth. And I won't even touch on the volume of opinion on social media!

Sometimes so many choices isn't entirely a good thing, though. And with so many options, it can all feel a bit overwhelming. Don’t worry - I’m here to walk you through the essentials, so you can feel confident and prepared for your birth to come.

Choosing where to have your baby

A lifetimes exposure to the way birth is presented in movies and on tv means that the idea of birth conjures up a pretty solid, universal image: a woman sweaty and in pain, her hapless and helpless partner, and a midwife who takes control and determines what happens when.

This can be quite an intimidating image - particularly if you're not keen on losing control. The truth is a little kinder. The NHS offers a variety of settings for you to have your baby in, and they each come with different care models to suit your personal needs and preferences. Here in Kent you are well-served with options;

• Hospital birth: In Kent you can choose to have your baby at one of the four hospitals that provide maternity care. Having your baby in hospital means you'll have consultant-led care, with more immediate access to pain relief like an epidural, and to obstetricians. In Kent you can have your baby at one of the five hospital with a Delivery Suite:

  • Darenth Valley Hospital, Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

  • Medway Maritime, Medway NHS Foundation Trust

  • Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Pembury, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

  • William Harvey Hospital (Ashford) or Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital (Margate), East Kent Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust

• Birth Centres: A birth centre is designed to have a more relaxed and welcoming feel than the clinical environment of a hospital. On a recent visit to Maidstone Birth Centre one mother-to-be said '...it feels like a spa!'. Birth centres can be either 'alongside' or 'freestanding'. An 'alongside' birth centre is sited in a hospital, but staffed and run by midwives, while 'freestanding' birth centres are geographically separate to the consultant-led delivery-suites in hospital. Birth centres are usually described as being for 'low-risk pregnancies' - but what makes you low-risk is often open to discussion and it is always worth talking to your midwife to arrange a visit and a conversation about whether it could be the right birth place for you. In West Kent you have a couple of options;

  • Crowborough Birth Centre (CBC), a freestanding birth centre. CBC is currently temporarily closed for births (as at January 2026 - if you are reading this after March 2026 speak to your midwife about whether it will be re-opened in time for your birth).

  • Maidstone Birth Centre (MBC), another freestanding birth centre, MBC is located in a separate building on the site of Maidstone Hospital.

  • Darenth Valley Birth Centre (DVBC) is an alongside birth centre, located on the site of Darenth Valley Hospital.

    
    

• Home Births: Supported by two midwives, having your baby at home can be a wonderful option. Although many people (especially partners) feel concerned about the risks, it's a very safe option, particularly if you're having your second or subsequent baby.

One thing I always recommend is visiting your local maternity units or birth centres. Seeing the space, meeting the staff, and asking questions can make a huge difference in how comfortable and confident you feel when you arrive in labour. There is no such thing as the 'best' place to give birth. Each option has its pros and cons, and the right choice depends on your unique health and preferences.

Maidstone Birth Centre, November 2026. A large, spacious comfortable birthing room with a pool and comfortable sofa's, mats and birth balls

What to expect from your NHS maternity care journey

Once you’re booked in with your local NHS maternity service, you’ll be invited to scheduled midwifery appointments and scans designed to keep you and your baby healthy. Here’s a rough timeline of what to expect:

1. Booking appointment (around 8-10 weeks): This is your first meeting with a midwife. You'll be offered standard tests, including blood tests, and you'll have the chance to discuss your medical history, preferences and any information about you and your situation that you think is important to share.

2. Routine scans: Usually at 12 weeks (dating scan) and 20 weeks (anomaly scan).

3. Regular antenatal appointments: These increase in frequency as your due date approaches.

4. Birth planning: You’ll have opportunities to discuss your birth preferences. This is called 'personalised care' and it's important that you feel able to agree a plan that meets your needs.

5. Labour and birth: Your care should be personalised to you regardless of where you have your baby, and you need to be able to give fully informed consent to any tests, monitoring and interventions.

6. Postnatal care: Follow-up visits to check on your recovery and your baby’s health.

   
   

Scans can be a really important part of bonding with your baby...and coming to terms with the reality of a new baby in your life!!

Personalising your birth planning & options in the NHS

Listening to women and families is a fundamental aspect of maternity care in the NHS. Although sometimes it can feel like you're on a conveyor belt, one of the best things about NHS Maternity care if the potential to tailor your care flexibly to your needs. Your community midwife will be able to talk to you about how you can be an active in your birth planning. Here are some of the things that you might want to think about:

• Choose your birth setting: Hospital, birth centre, or home.

• Decide on pain relief options: From natural methods like breathing and water to epidurals.

• Consider who you want with you: Partner, family member, doula.

• Discuss any cultural or religious needs: The NHS aims to respect and accommodate these.

• Plan for unexpected changes: Birth can be unpredictable, so having a flexible mindset helps.

  
  

I've written plenty about birth planning (including a Masters!). You can read more about birth planning in my Good Birth Practice FAQs here.

Remember, your preferences might change as your pregnancy progresses, and that’s perfectly okay. The key is open communication with your care team.

Making the most of your NHS maternity care

Maternity care in the NHS can feel like an absolute maze, but a few simple tips can make your journey smoother:

• Start early: Book your first appointment as soon as you’re pregnant.

• Ask questions: No question is too small or silly. Your midwife is there to help.

• Keep notes: Get yourself a Pregnancy Notebook and write down your thoughts and questions before your midwifery or clinic appointments, and any advice you receive.

• Attend classes: Many NHS trusts offer antenatal classes that cover everything from labour to breastfeeding.

• Build your support network: Whether it’s family, friends, or a local group, having people to lean on is invaluable.

  
  

The NHS is fantastic of course, and every single individual working in maternity is there for the best of reasons. However, resources are stretched, and the NHS is fundamentally an organisation focused on when things go wrong (rather than helping them go well). There are plenty of private classes and practitioners who are keen to support you in your pregnancy, and ensure you have all the information you need to make informed decisions that will lead you to a positive birth experience. You can check out how I can help you here and some testimonials from the families I've worked over the years here.

Choosing the right antenatal and maternity care can feel like a big responsibility, but there are a range of options and support available and so you’re in good hands. Whether you picture a calm home birth or a hospital setting with all the bells and whistles, the most important thing is that you feel safe, supported, and empowered.

Happy birthing!