The quality of healthcare for pregnant women constitutes one of the most important factors influencing the health of human population. The main aim of our investigations was to compare the quality of healthcare services provided to pregnant women in private obstetric and gynaecological institutions, with the effects of healthcare services for pregnant women in healthcare institutions working under a contract with the National Health Fund. A survey was conducted in 237 randomly selected patients giving birth in 2004, in the Lublin hospitals. Women with chronic diseases and obesity were excluded from the group. The study showed that the infants of women obtaining services in private medical institutions were healthier than the infants of women receiving health services under a contract with the National Health Fund. Our research shows that it is necessary to improve the quality of health services provided to pregnant women, under the National Health Fund contract.