Royal Berkshire NHS Maternity

28/04/2026

Don't forget to book your space for our homebirth event if you are interested in having your baby at home 👇

If you are thinking about having a homebirth, please book your ticket to come along to our meet and greet event on Friday 1 May - our Homebirth midwives will be available to chat to about the practicalities of giving birth at home and will answer any questions you may have 💜

📅Homebirth meet and greet event:
Friday 1 May, 12pm - 3pm
at Sun Street Children's Centre, Sun Street, Reading RG31 3JX

Book your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/homebirth-team-meet-and-greet-event-tickets-1988062464348?aff=oddtdtcreator

24/04/2026

From 1 May 2026, we will be introducing a small fee for printing of scan photos. This charge is in line with other NHS Trusts across the Thames Valley area.

You can purchase a scan photograph for £5 per image or £10 for 3 images. Please note payment can only be made by card.

You can find out more about antenatal screenings and scans on our website - https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/services-and-departments/maternity/your-pregnancy-care/antenatal-scans-and-screening

23/04/2026

If you are thinking about having a homebirth, please book your ticket to come along to our meet and greet event on Friday 1 May - our Homebirth midwives will be available to chat to about the practicalities of giving birth at home and will answer any questions you may have 💜

📅Homebirth meet and greet event:
Friday 1 May, 12pm - 3pm
at Sun Street Children's Centre, Sun Street, Reading RG31 3JX

Book your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/homebirth-team-meet-and-greet-event-tickets-1988062464348?aff=oddtdtcreator

21/04/2026

If your baby was born in January or February this year, you could be invited to take part in a national survey that assesses the quality of maternity services in England.

Look out for your invitation!

Find out more: https://www.cqc.org.uk/news/tell-us-what-maternity-care-you-2026

20/04/2026

If you are planning on having your baby at the Royal Berkshire Hospital we are offering a walk around tour of our postnatal ward and chat with a midwife. 💜

The tour will provide an opportunity to talk to one of our midwives about the practicalities of staying after your baby is born, what you can expect and tips on what to bring!

We are hosting a postnatal tour once a month (dates are in the ticket link) and spaces are limited - please book your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/postnatal-ward-tour-tickets-1987599300011?aff=oddtdtcreator

16/04/2026

Due to pressures from the national shortage of NHS Sonographers impacting our antenatal scanning service, you may be offered your pregnancy combined test scan at short notice or offered a quad test.

We aim to screen for Downs Syndrome, Edwards’ Syndrome and Patau’s Syndrome between 11 and 14 weeks in a combined screening test but if we are unable to provide you with an ultrasound scan appointment before you are 14 weeks (or if you are found to be more than 14 weeks at ultrasound scan), you will be offered a quad test to screen for Downs Syndrome. This is inline with the NHS national screening programme recommendations.

You will also be offered a screening scan between 18 and 21 weeks of pregnancy, which screens for Edwards’ Syndrome and Patau’s Syndrome.

You can find out more information about these scans and tests on our website - https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/services-and-departments/maternity/your-pregnancy-care/antenatal-scans-and-screening

14/04/2026

What a busy spring we've had so far! We welcomed 424 babies in March 💜

09/04/2026

As part of Black Maternal Health Week, the HealthBus will be visiting Morrisons, Rose Kiln Lane, Reading, on Monday 13 April from 10am - 2pm.

Please pop along to chat with one of our midwives or a health visitor - there is no appointment needed.

Our community partners@royalberksmnvp will also be available to talk to about your maternity experiences.

12/03/2026

🧸 When it comes to safer sleep for your baby, there are some simple steps you can take to make sure your baby is safe - and one of them is making sure the temperature of your baby's room is not too hot or not too cold.

🔹Recommended temperature for your baby's room is between 16 - 20 degrees celsius.
🔹Use a room thermometer to make sure your baby is not too cold or too hot

10/03/2026

We welcomed 378 babies in February 💜 Congratulations to our wonderful families!

04/03/2026

👶 Rushey is our midwifery led service for those who are healthy and low risk of complications.

Due to essential works to the Maternity Block, we have had to make some changes to our Rushey service. Our Rushey midwifery led care is now located on delivery suite. Sarah, our Interim Director of Midwifery explains more about this service.

👉 https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/services-and-departments/maternity/where-to-give-birth/midwifery-led-service