Maternity Care Survey 2025: national report

Care in hospital or a midwife-led unit after birth

Four in five women (80%) rated the care they received in hospital or a midwife-led unit as “excellent” or “good.” This is similar to 82% of women in 2018.

Stays in hospital or a midwife-led unit

Almost all women gave birth in hospital or a midwife-led unit (98%, similar to 99% in 2018). Women were asked how long they stayed in hospital or a midwife-led unit receiving postnatal care (care after the baby was born).

Figure 7: A stay of 1 to 2 days in hospital or a midwife-led unit was most common with 34% of women staying for this length of time, similar to 35% in 2018.

How long women stayed in hospital and / or a midwife-led unit after their baby was born, 2025, weighted percentages.

Figure 8: For 71% of women, a partner or someone else close to them stayed with them as much as they wanted during their postnatal care in the unit or ward.

Whether a partner or someone else close to them was able to stay with them as much as they wanted during their postnatal care in the unit or ward, 2025, weighted percentages.

Note: Respondents were able to tick more than one response to this question so percentages do not sum to 100.

Most women (88%) felt they returned home at the right time for them. The majority (94%) knew who to contact if they needed further advice or support when they left hospital or the midwife-led unit, the same as in 2018.

Person-centred care

Each aspect of care in hospital or a midwife-led unit was rated positively by at least four in five women.

Figure 9: More women agreed with statements related to respect, kindness and involvement of family and friends (88% to 90%), than with care coordination (80%).

Percentage of women who agreed or strongly agreed with statements related to care received in hospital or a midwife-led unit after the birth, 2025, weighted percentages.

Ratings were the same or similar for each of the seven statements also asked in 2018.