Having a baby on the NHS: maternity care for new arrivals

The NHS provides full maternity care from your first pregnancy confirmation to postnatal support after birth. If you are pregnant or planning to start a family, here is what you need to know.

First step: tell your GP

As soon as you know you are pregnant, contact your GP. They will confirm the pregnancy and refer you to a community midwife, who will be your main point of contact throughout your pregnancy. This first appointment - usually before 10 weeks - is called your booking appointment. If you are not yet registered with a GP, see our guide to registering with a GP. In some areas you can also self-refer directly to a midwife service without going through a GP first - ask your local hospital’s maternity unit.

Antenatal care

You will be offered a series of antenatal (before-birth) appointments with your midwife and, for some checks, a hospital consultant. These include:

• Ultrasound scans - at around 8–14 weeks (dating scan) and 18–21 weeks (anomaly scan)
• Blood tests - checking for conditions including anaemia, blood group, and infections
• Blood pressure and urine checks - at each appointment
• Antenatal classes - offered by most NHS trusts, covering birth, breastfeeding and newborn care

These appointments and tests are provided free of charge. You can ask for a Nepali interpreter at any appointment - request this when you book.

Where to give birth

You can discuss your birth preferences with your midwife. Options typically include:

• NHS hospital maternity unit - the most common choice, with medical teams on hand
• Midwife-led unit - often in or next to a hospital, for lower-risk pregnancies
• Home birth - midwives attend at your home; suitable for straightforward pregnancies

Your midwife will help you make an informed choice based on your health and circumstances. If any complications arise, you will be referred to a consultant obstetrician.

Registering your baby’s birth

You must register your baby’s birth within 42 days in England and Wales (21 days in Scotland). You do this at your local register office. Both parents can attend together, or either parent can register alone (though this affects what goes on the birth certificate). The certificate you receive is free; additional certified copies cost a small fee. The birth certificate is an important document for your child’s passport and future school enrolment.

An important note on maternity charges

NHS maternity care is provided to everyone regardless of immigration status. However, people who are not “ordinarily resident” in the UK - for example, those on certain short-term visas or who are visiting - may be charged for some NHS treatment, including maternity care, after the fact. If you have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your visa application, you are generally entitled to full NHS care without further charge. If you are unsure whether this applies to you, ask the maternity team when you book - they have a team who can check your situation. The official guidance is on gov.uk – NHS entitlements: migrant health guide.

Postnatal support

After your baby is born, your midwife will visit you at home and you will be transferred to the care of a health visitor - a specialist nurse who supports families with young children. Your baby will also be registered with your GP and offered routine checks and vaccinations on the NHS childhood immunisation schedule, all free of charge.

For the full NHS guide on pregnancy and maternity care, visit nhs.uk/pregnancy.