St Mary’s Birth Centre, Melton Mowbray

21/03/2026

March 19th saw the closure of births & postnatal inpatient care at St Mary’s Birth Centre.

Despite this, our doors are still open to antenatal & postnatal appointments as well as feeding support - this is to continue as normal.

We have operated as an 8-5pm service since July. After 5pm, calls are diverted over to Leicester Hospitals maternity triage. Calls are also occasionally on divert on days when our staff are unable to answer the phones due to clinical activity so someone is available on the end of the phone for you.

Please bear with us. The birth centre has experienced such an unprecedented level of change & we are still continually adjusting. But please rest assured that we are still here for you.

📞 SMBC: 01664 854854
📞 Leicester Maternity Triage: 0116 258 6111

13/03/2026

LLR ICB has published a report into the future of St Mary’s Birth Centre. The Board will consider the recommendations made in light of the report and make its final decision at its Board meeting on 19 March. Click here for more details: https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/llr-integrated-care-board-publishes-report-on-the-future-of-st-marys-birth-centre/

08/03/2026

🌷 ✨ International Women’s Day ✨🌷

On International Women’s Day, we honour the remarkable women who serve as midwives — and many who are mothers themselves.

We stand beside women in their most powerful and vulnerable moments, offering knowledge, calm, and unwavering support.

Our work is more than a profession — it’s a calling that brings new life, hope, and strength into the world every day.

To every midwife balancing care for families at work and at home — today we celebrate your dedication, resilience, and heart.

02/02/2026

‼️Please note: ‼️

The ICB have added a new focus group to explore the experiences of the families that used our services between 2021 - 2025. To join, please follow the link below:

📲 https://www.tickettailor.com/events/nhsleicesterleicestershireandrutlandintegratedcareboardengagementandinsightsteam

📑 More information can be found here on the pause of service:

📲 https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/be-involved/smbc-engagement/

The survey can be found here:

✍🏻 https://llrnhs.questionpro.eu/a/TakeSurvey?tt=U22V%2BL0UeY3nSseLOTEyLw%3D%3D

Thank you so much for your continued support,
SMBC

07/01/2026

To our families, please read the following update shared by the ICB.

* * *

To complete the online questionnaire:
✍🏻 https://llrnhs.questionpro.eu/StMarysBC

To attend a focus group:
🗣️ For those who planned to give birth at St Mary’s between July 2025 and September 2026, the focus groups will be held on:

🗓️ Tuesday 20 Jan, 1-3pm, Melton
🗓️ Tuesday 27 Jan 10am-12pm, Leicester

In addition to this, there will also be a focus group on 27 January in Leicester for those who considered giving birth at St Mary’s between July 2025 and September 2026, such as those who are currently pregnant or have recently given birth. If this applies to you, please register in advance:
📲 https://www.tickettailor.com/events/nhsleicesterleicestershireandrutlandintegratedcareboardengagementandinsightsteam/2002689

If you have any questions or would like to get in touch about taking part in the focus groups, please email: llricb-llr.beinvolved@nhs.net

We’ve set out our proposals for the future of St Mary’s Birth Centre in Melton Mowbray.

We’d like to hear from people who have been directly impacted by the pause in service. To find out more visit: www.bit.ly/smbc-impact

16/12/2025

Have you heard that we have launched a new pilot frenotomy service, to support babies and families experiencing feeding difficulties due to tongue-tie?

The new service is being delivered by our fantastic infant feeding team, and will provide local, dedicated and specialist care for families in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR). 💙

Tongue-tie is a condition where the strip of skin which connects a baby’s tongue to the bottom of their mouth, called the lingual frenulum, is shorter or tighter than usual. It can restrict tongue movement and make feeding difficult, which can in turn lead to poor weight gain, feeding challenges, and early end to breastfeeding – all of which can impact both a baby and parents’ health.

It is hoped the launch of the pilot service will prevent treatment delays and parents needing to turn to private providers out of necessity to get the procedure done.

Claire Hubbard, clinical lead of the infant feeding team at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, said: “We hope this pilot will help to provide equitable access to care for families. By reducing waiting times and providing holistic support, we’re helping to improve outcomes for both babies and parents. Not only can the procedure help the baby to feed successfully and calmly, but the release of the tongue-tie can also support the mother’s emotional, mental and physical health, by helping to reduce pain, distress and improve the feeding experience.”

24/11/2025

Resharing our video today to celebrate this years MSW Day & to remind our community of the pivotal role that our MWS’s have, caring for you guys, our wonderful families!

Thank you from all of us 🥰

18/11/2025

The introduction of BadgerNet and Badger Notes is the most significant digital step forward in maternity services. It means you can access your notes anytime, see real-time updates from your care team, and feel more in control of your journey.

You can download the Badger Notes App and start a self-referral ahead of meeting your midwife, or GP. Those already under maternity care will be invited to use the app. Some paper records will remain in use for a short transition period. The new system offers a wide range of benefits, including:

• 24/7 access to pregnancy records via smartphone, tablet, or PC

• Real-time updates from the care team

• Badger Notes supports multiple languages and is available in eleven of the most used languages

• The ability to log key pregnancy events and preferences

• Access to personalised care plans and trusted maternity information

• A secure, centralised record, reducing paperwork

For more information please speak to your midwife or visit: https://healthforunder5s.co.uk/leicestershire/services/your-maternity-service/accessing-your-maternity-notes-with-the-badger-notes-app/

15/10/2025

We light our candles in the night,
To hold your memories in their light.
Though you’re gone, you’re always near —
Forever loved, forever here.

🕯️✨🦋

11/10/2025

New episodes are now available on Leicester Maternity Matters – our brand-new education podcast created by our maternity and neonatal team.

Episodes have been added covering health and wellbeing during pregnancy, ultrasound scans and screening for abnormalities during pregnancy and homebirth. The short, easy-to-listen-to episodes cover key pregnancy and postnatal topics – all explained by our own midwives, doctors and specialists.

This is a trusted, flexible way for women, partners, and families to access information that supports informed choices during pregnancy.

Tune into Leicester Maternity Matters on Spotify for information and updates on maternity care - follow the show and turn on notifications for new episodes: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pxhZcZH2fsegNJ8tUmrSm

15/09/2025

Please take a moment to read;

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust is one of 14 NHS organisations included in the new National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, announced today by Baroness Valerie Amos, the investigation chair.

We welcome this important work and will engage openly with the investigation team. It is a valuable opportunity to reflect, learn, and contribute to improving maternity and neonatal care here in Leicester and nationally.

The safety, wellbeing and experience of women, babies, and families remains our highest priority.

Read our open letter to communities: https://www.uhleicester.nhs.uk/news/independent-investigation-into-nhs-maternity-and-neonatal-care/

28/08/2025

R E G I S T E R Y O U R P R E G N A N C Y // 🌻🌷

Positive pregnancy test? Congratulations!

Please visit the link below on the website to register your pregnancy & submit the online form. Alternatively, you can contact us at SMBC when you are around 6 weeks pregnant so we can arrange your first pregnancy booking appointment. This will be made for around 8 weeks of pregnancy.

🖥️ https://healthforunder5s.co.uk/pregnancy/

📞 SMBC: 01664 854854

For more information, please visit:
https://www.uhleicester.nhs.uk/services/maternity/