https://www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/royal-surrey-maternity

Royal Surrey Maternity Unit, Egerton Road, Guilford (2026)

25/03/2026

A recent class highlighted how confusing people can find information around benefits and leave entitlements during pregnancy and after birth. To make things easier, we have brought together key information in one place.

You can now find a dedicated “Money Matters” dropdown tab within our “Useful Apps, Websites & Resources” page, located in both the Pregnancy and the Postnatal & Baby Care chapters in the Portal Library.

This section includes simple explanations of possible entitlements, direct links to apply for benefits and information about additional help available, such as Maternity Action, which offers advice on maternity rights, pay, and benefits.

We hope this helps make navigating financial support a little clearer. If you have any questions, please speak to your community/team midwife.

25/03/2026

Would you like to see more images of our Maternity Unit?

Some people find it helpful to see where they are going to birth their baby ahead of labour or their planned Caesarean birth.

🟡 To view a slide show of images from our Maternity Unit scroll to the bottom of your portal homepage (after logging in) or visit the Birth Environment pages in the Portal Library (Library> Induction, Labour & Birth > Labour Support & Pain Relief > Birth Environment > Video: "Familiarising Yourself with Maternity").

🟡 Take our virtual tour with live commentary at our free Event "Your Pregnancy Matters: 2nd Trimester Information & Virtual Tour . Details can be found in the Free Classes and Events Tab of the Portal. You will need to be logged in to your account to book.

🟡 Watch our Maternity Unit Tour Video and take a look at our floor plan of level G on the page "Maternity Tour & Options for Birth" accessible from the top menu

🟡 Come back over the next few weeks as we share images of the Maternity Unit

Not yet registered with the portal? Ask your Royal Surrey Midwife, Doctor or Sonographer for a Portal Postcard

24/03/2026

Birth & Beyond Complete is more than an antenatal course.
It’s ongoing support for your whole journey.

Join us for 8 in-person, hands-on sessions, 8 interactive virtual workshops, and up to 8 months of midwife-led guidance and support, from pregnancy, through birth, and well into life with your baby.

You’ll build real skills, ask real questions, and feel genuinely supported every step of the way. Evidence-based information, practical preparation, and a community that gets it. All led by experienced midwives who are with you beyond the classroom.

Because preparing for birth is just the beginning

24/03/2026

What is Reflux and GORD?

Reflux (also called GOR – Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux) is when milk or food flows back from a baby’s stomach up their food pipe (Oesophagus) into their mouth. It’s very common in babies, especially under 1 year old, and is often called positing. Most babies grow out of it by 12–18 months.

Reflux/Positing is usually:

🟢 Normal

🟢 Not painful

🟢 Nothing to worry about if baby feeds and grows well

GORD (Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease) is when reflux starts causing problems including, but not limited to:

🟢 Poor weight gain, weight loss or feeding refusal

🟢 Frequent coughing, choking or arching the back

🟢 Vomiting large amounts or with pain

🟢 Crying a lot or seeming uncomfortable during/after feeds

When to get help:

Speak to your GP, Health Visitor, or call NHS 111 if:

🟢 You’re worried about your baby’s feeding or growth

🟢 Symptoms are frequent, severe, or getting worse

🟢 Baby seems in pain or unsettled a lot of the time

Unlike normal baby Reflux/Positing GORD may need medical advice, medication(s) and additional support.

Living With Reflux () is an Independent UK Charity Supporting Families of Children with Gastro-oesophageal Reflux and Reflux Disease

You can now find more information about Reflux, Silent Reflux, GORD and Colic in the Infant Feeding Chapter of the Maternity Parent Portal Library

23/03/2026

Need help reading or translating the Maternity Parent Portal? We've got you covered!

🔄 Turn your phone sideways (landscape mode) to access visual impairment reader technologies and translation features easily.

💻 On a computer or laptop? Just look to the top right of the menu –

We believe every one of our service users should be able to access and enjoy our midwife created and curated content.

22/03/2026

Looking to bond with your little one in a fun, relaxing way? Our Baby Yoga course is the perfect opportunity to enjoy gentle movement and relaxation, while supporting your baby’s physical development.

What’s Involved:

🟣 4 in-person classes for you and your baby-Gentle stretches & holds to aid development (head control, rolling & more!)

🟣 A digital pack of resources to continue your practice at home

🟣 Opportunity to meet and connect with other local parents

Potential benefits for your baby:

🟣 Boosts bonding and relaxation

🟣 Supports balance, coordination & developmental milestones

🟣 Fun, physical interaction between you and your baby

No prior yoga experience needed! You just need to be able to lift, carry, and support your baby, and get down on the floor.

Younger Baby Yoga suitable for babies aged 8 weeks+ (must have had 8-week GP check). Older Baby Yoga from 22 weeks.

Spaces are limited! Sign up today via your Maternity Parent Portal.

21/03/2026

Building a relationship with your baby: The Parents’ Perspective

The attached video further explains the importance of relationship building, along with, parent accounts of how they created close, loving and secure relationships with their children.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmvY7t6RRUo

20/03/2026

Have you been recommended an Induction by Royal Surrey Staff? Access your Digital IOL Toolkit to help you feel more informed and prepared.

The Tool Kit includes:

🟢 Five short videos describing the processes of Induction and includes information on informed decision making (Videos to be used in conjunction with, not instead of, individualised discussions with your care provider)

🟢 A guided relaxation written specifically for parents preparing for and undergoing an Induction of Labour (Please see medical disclaimer, may not be suitable for all).

🟢 A resource pack containing links to alternative sources of information and parent recommended tips to help you cope with the process of induction

🟢 Positive Induction of Labour Birth Stories written by Royal Surrey Clients

Find these resources and MORE in your Maternity Parent Portal (Library> Induction, Labour and Birth> Induction of Labour Toolkit).

*Free for Royal Surrey Maternity Clients. You will need to have a portal profile and be signed in to your account to access these resources. Not yet registered for an account? Ask your Royal Surrey Midwife or Obstetrician for a Portal Postcard.

20/03/2026

Did you know that the birth of the placenta is known as the third stage of labour?

At the moment of birth up to a third of your baby’s blood volume is held within your baby’s cord and placenta. Far from being a waste product this blood is very important for your baby’s health and adaptation to the world.

Delayed cord clamping is a part of our normal birth care and is performed in all but very exceptional circumstances.

Delayed cord clamping means that instead of clamping and cutting the cord immediately at birth the cord is left to pulsate and transfer oxygenated, stem cell rich, blood to your baby for a few minutes after birth. Oxytocic drugs, used to reduce blood loss by aiding the uterus to contract, can still be administered, but the cord remains intact in the time it takes the medication to travel from the mother leg muscle to the bloodstream. Once the cord has been cut your Midwife or doctor will wait for signs of separation and then deliver the placenta by pulling on the umbilical cord.

NICE recommends that all women have oxytocin as part of a managed third stage to reduce the risk of a large blood loss. The use of the Oxytocin to help the birth of the placenta is strongly recommend to all women who have risk factors for heavy bleeding after birth. However, if you have had an uncomplicated pregnancy and straight forward birth not requiring interventions you might like to consider a natural/ physiological third stage without artificial Oxytocin.

The cord is usually clamped with a small plastic clamp that will fall off with the cord stump a week or so after birth. Once clamped by your doctor/midwife it is usually possible for yourself or your partner to cut the cord.

Talk to your midwife or doctor about the benefits and risks of physiological and active management of the third stage in relation to your medical history and your preferences.

Fun Fact: Placentas are know as the tree of life due to the distinctive tree like shape of the blood vessels!

Don't need this information right now? Why not save it for later

19/03/2026

3 pain relieving drugs for labour.

This is not intended as a comprehensive guide to pain relieving medications for labour & birth. It is simply highlighting the medications available to clients birthing within our unit

All medication and procedures come with their own risks and benefits, both universally recognised and those that are unique to your individual circumstances.
Your community and labour support midwives will also be happy to discuss your individual circumstances and preferences with you.

1. Pethidine

2. Entonox ( Please be aware of current restrictions. We recommend talking to your midwife in pregnancy if you are considering this option)

3. Epidural

To learn more about the individual medication on offer we recommend that you attend antenatal classes and/or take a look at the information in your Maternity Parent Portal (Library> Labour & Birth > Labour Support & Pain Relief> Pain Relief). More information on our birth preparation classes can be found in your Maternity Parent Portal.

19/03/2026

Get • Proud news from Royal Surrey and Ashford and St Peter’s 👇

We’re delighted to share our Group Chief Executive Louise Stead will be joining an expert taskforce to improve maternity services across the country.

Chaired by Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting, the group is tasked with implementing the recommendations of an independent national investigation, led by Baroness Amos, into NHS maternity services as soon as they are published.

The 17-member taskforce brings together families, senior NHS leaders, royal college representatives, campaigners and academics.

Louise’s expertise was sought after leading Royal Surrey’s Maternity Department to be rated ‘Outstanding’ and Ashford and St Peter’s Maternity Services ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission.

Louise said: “It is an honour to join the national Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce and play a role in driving improvement across all maternity services.

“There are examples of excellent maternity and neonatal practice across our group every day and our teams work incredibly hard to deliver safe, compassionate care. However, we know there is always more we can do locally and nationally and sharing best practice to drive high quality, equitable care for all women and their babies is essential.”

We’re incredibly proud of Louise and look forward to seeing the difference this taskforce will make for families across the country.

Click the link in our bio to read more.

19/03/2026

Free* Postnatal Bonding & Essential Baby Care Workshop

If you're approaching the arrival of your little one, our free online Postnatal Bonding & Essential Baby Care Workshop is the perfect way to get prepared! This 1.5-2 hour virtual session, led by our experienced Specialist Education Midwives, will give you the foundations to care for your newborn while strengthening the bond between you and your baby.

What you'll learn:
🟢 Postnatal bonding and building emotional attachment with your newborn
🟢 Recognising your baby’s signals & the foundations of Responsive Parenting
🟢 Practical tips on newborn skin care & umbilical stump care
🟢 Information about Vitamin K & Vitamin D
🟢 How to spot signs that your baby may be unwell
🟢 An overview of the essential newborn screening tests you’ll be offered
🟢 Time for Q&A about bonding and baby care

When to attend? We recommend attending this session with your birth partner from around 32 weeks of pregnancy to help you both feel ready for life with your baby.

🟣 Looking for more practical support? If you’re interested in hands-on learning like nappy changing, dressing and holding a baby consider joining our Baby Care Workshop, available in our Complete Package and as a stand alone workshop.

Book your free spot via your Maternity Parent Portal We’re here to support you every step of the way!

*Free classes for Royal Surrey Maternity Clients only. Paid for workshops and courses open to all

Royal Surrey Maternity Unit

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