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

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

10/02/2026

Are you ready to learn, prepare and grow together?

Start your parenthood journey surrounded by expert guidance and new friends.
The Complete Package is your trusted, all-in-one, midwife-led birth & baby prep experience.

What’s Included:

🟡 30 hours of expert-led education:
-12 hours in person (Baby Care, First Aid and Postnatal Baby Massage)
-18 hours online – flexible, convenient learning from home

🟡 Real Community & Connection:
- Pre-course Meet & Greet social event
- Cohort-specific pub social
- Exclusive WhatsApp group to chat, ask & connect

🟡 Ongoing Support:
-A named midwife facilitator by your side for the "Complete" journey (approx. 6 months). Each of our facilitator brings over 20 years of midwifery experience, offering calm, trusted guidance every step of the way

🟡 Optional Mind-Body Prep- Learn at Your Own Pace:
-Access to the Birth & Beyond Hypnobirthing Programme
(Self-study with downloadable audios, course book + exclusive Complete Course appendix)
-Plus: Royal Relaxation, our Midwife facilitated Four-Week Pregnancy Relaxation & Birth Preparation Course, included as a calming, confidence-building add-on

No judgement. All birthing and feeding choices welcome.

Make friends, build confidence, and feel truly supported from pregnancy to parenthood.

Are you ready to join your village?
Visit your Maternity Parent Portal to learn more.

10/02/2026

Maternity Definition: Intrusive Thoughts

Becoming a parent brings deep joy, but it can also come with unexpected, sometimes unsettling thoughts—often called intrusive thoughts. These are random, unwanted, and sometimes distressing ideas or images that pop up out of nowhere. They’re actually very common and don’t define you as a parent or a person.

Intrusive thoughts can feel scary, but they’re a normal part of adjusting to parenthood, especially when navigating new anxieties and responsibilities. If you experience them, try not to judge yourself harshly. Remember: these thoughts are just thoughts, not intentions or reflections of who you are.

If they’re overwhelming, it’s okay to reach out for support from your Midwife, Health Visitor, GP or Mental Health Charity. You’re not alone in this. Let’s keep talking about the mental health side of parenting.

Looking for more information on Perinatal Mental Health? Visit the Parent Mental Health Chapter in your Maternity Parent Portal Library

09/02/2026

Entonox (Gas & Air) Update

We’re pleased to announce the installation of a brand-new Entonox (gas and air) system, Pureair, in our Maternity Unit

This means Entonox is now readily available in every room on our Consultant Led Delivery Suite (including our Consultant Led Pool Room)and in our Royal Surrey Birthing Suites (Midwife Led Unit).

This has been a two-year project, following previous restrictions due to concerns around staff exposure. We are delighted to have reached a solution that supports both birthing choice and staff safety.

Thank you to everyone involved in the project, the Trust for their support, the staff for their patience and the birthing families who may have experienced Entonox restrictions during their births.

We’re proud to see this important improvement now in place

09/02/2026

Made a booking in the Maternity Parent Portal? Visit your profile page!

When you make a booking in the Maternity Parent Portal you will receive an email confirming your booking. Simultaneously, your profile page will update your Upcoming Courses with the new booking. If you don't receive both the email confirmation AND the profile page update please contact the Birth & Beyond Team at rsch.birthandbeyond@nhs.net.

Once your courses are visible in your profile you will be able to manage the booking and access the class resources from your profile page:

🟢 Click on the course title and it will take you through to an updated listings page for the course. Here you will be able to review all of the course details, (including dates, times, locations), manage your free course cancellations and, where appropriate, access the Teams link.

🟢 From 30 days prior to the start of your course you will be able to access the course folder (where applicable) from by clicking on the course title in your profile and scrolling to the bottom of the page until you reach the course folders in your "Documents". The course folder contains digital resources such as leaflets, PDFs and medical forms that accompany the course.

🟢 When the time comes to access your online course/course element you will be able to access the events Team's link("Go to Teams") from your profile page or from the listing.

For more information about navigating the Maternity Parent Portal see the "How To Use Your Portal" video on the home page. Follow up questions about the portal or our Antenatal Education Programme? Visit the Portal's FAQ's or email the Birth & Beyond Team at rsch.birthandbeyond@nhs.net

Please note that parent portal access is restricted to Royal Surrey Maternity parents and paying clients

08/02/2026

Expecting a baby?

Ready to feel fully prepared for birth and early parenting?

Our Complete Course is your all-in-one solution, designed for you and your birth partner/co-parent. This unique 7-course package, taught by experienced Royal Surrey Hospital Midwives, covers everything you need—before and after baby arrives.

🟣 7 Essential Courses in a supportive, small group setting
🟣 In-person & online classes over 6 months
🟣 Evidence-based, non-judgmental education
🟣 Interactive workshops on First Aid & Baby Care
🟣 Relaxation & Baby Massage courses
🟣 Access to a named Midwife for ongoing support
🟣 Self Directed Hypnobirthing course including: Course journal + downloadable MP3s
🟣 Early Bird Social Event + Evening Pub Meet ups to further connect with other local parents

This is the perfect opportunity to build confidence, meet others on the same journey, and learn the essential skills you need to thrive as new parents. 💖

Limited Spaces Available! Book today and get ready for your exciting new adventure in parenthood. Find your geographical area and due date course in the "Paid for Courses" Tab in your Maternity Parent Portal

07/02/2026

Let us know in the comments what you have been searching for this month!

Sharing your searches help us understand what matters most to you and helps us to develop resources to support you.

As a result of previous comments we have updated our Bump Bonding and Baby Movements section to include information for parents with an anterior placenta and those expecting twins or more and we have added information on baby reflux and GORD.

To view this information log in to your Maternity Parent Portal account and visit the portal Library.

What have you been researching over the past few weeks?

07/02/2026

Relax & Prepare for Birth

This week, we're focusing on the power of relaxation to prepare for labour and birth. Not only will regular relaxation benefit your mental health, but your baby will feel the positive effects too, with reduced cortisol and increased oxytocin- essential for your baby’s brain growth!

Did you know stress can affect your Psoas muscle? This key muscle can become tight and shortened under stress, causing pelvic imbalances. Regular relaxation can help release tension and keep your body in balance, making it easier for both you and baby during labour.

Take time to unwind, breathe, and relax—your body (and baby) will thank you!

Our seven recommended habits for pregnancy are based on an understanding of physiology (how your body works) and biomechanics (how your body moves). They are intended to support your body in pregnancy and help prepare the body for labour and birth and do not replace individualised & personalised recommendations for care.

06/02/2026

Discover Our Birth Partner resources in the Maternity Parent Portal Library!

Including information on pregnancy support & baby care, labour support strategies and information to safeguard your own mental health, our Birth Partner materials have been collated to help you feel prepared and confident every step of the way.

Explore expert advice, checklists, and videos designed to help you be the best support partner and parent possible. Visit the Maternity Parent Portal Library today to access these invaluable tools!

06/02/2026

Talk to your midwife about your birth place options: Homebirth

We know that the birthing environment affects the hormones involved in labour. The main hormones that facilitate labour, Oxytocin (the love hormone) and Endorphins (your natural morphine), are produced when you are relaxed, safe and comfortable.

The best place to birth is where you feel safe, supported and empowered. Home birth allows many pregnant people to remain in their own familiar and comfortable environment.

In their systematic review of 16 studies in to homebirth, with a combined 500,000 planned homebirths, Reitsma et al (2020) found that pregnant people who planned to birth at home were less likely to experience surgical (caesarean) or assisted (ventouse or forceps) births, were less likely to have an Epidural, Episiotomy or significant tear (3rd or 4th degree), had fewer infections and their likelihood of having a postpartum haemorrhage was equal to or less likely than those planning hospital births. They Concluded that “Among low-risk women, those intending to birth at home experienced fewer birth interventions...”

In 2019 Hutton et al undertook a systematic review 14 studies looking at planned place of birth. The review involves a combined total of 500,000 planned home births. They concluded “The risk of perinatal or neonatal mortality was not different when birth was intended at home or in hospital.”

At the Royal Surrey we have a dedicated and enthusiastic team of experienced midwives who look after women who choose to have their babies at home. They are all passionate about home birth and are equipped with the knowledge and expertise to not only achieve the safest outcomes for mother and baby, but also provide a positive birthing experience.

Got questions? contact the team directly at rsch.homebirth.referrals@nhs.net or attend their coffee morning (see the " Free courses and events " tab in the maternity parent portal for more information).

05/02/2026

3 Foods to avoid in pregnancy:

1. Foods ( and supplements & skin care) containing high levels of vitamin A. Please note that you are also advised to avoid skincare high in vitamin A (retinol).

2. Uncooked or unpasteurised produce

3. Some types of fish & shellfish

For more advice on food to avoid in pregnancy visit https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/foods-to-avoid/.

You can also learn more about diet in pregnancy by signing up to our Free preconception and early pregnancy class. See you Maternity Parent Portal for details or email the education team at rsch.birthandbeyond@nhs.net if you are not yet booked with Royal Surrey Maternity

05/02/2026

Perinatal mental health refers to mental and emotional wellbeing during pregnancy and in the post-birth period.
Difficulties during this time are common and can affect pregnant and postnatal women/people (approx. 1:4), and their partners (approx. 1:10).

This ASK check-in is a simple way to pause and notice how you’re really doing:

🟡 Appetite.
Has the way you’re feeling affected your appetite? Are you eating much more or much less than usual?

🟡 Sleep
Is your mood or anxiety affecting your sleep (when baby/your bladder allows)?

🟡 Knowing yourself and enjoying life
Is the way you’re feeling stopping you from enjoying life the way you usually would?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it might be time to ASK for support. Support can be a conversation, a check-in with someone you trust, or professional help.

Where to reach out:

🟡 Mums and birthing parents can speak with their Midwife, Health Visitor, or GP
🟡 Partners can contact their GP
🟡 Both parents can self-refer for talking therapies
🟡 Additional support is available through charities such as PANDAS and MIND

You can also find more information and resources in the Parent Mental Health chapter of the Maternity Parent Portal.

05/02/2026

The use of water in labour can aid relaxation and provide a form of natural pain relief. This class will take you through the BRAINS decisioning making nemonic to help you decide if water is something you wish to include in your birth plan. It will also help you to know what to expect when using the pool.

Birth & Beyond Waterbirth Workshop for Parents includes:

🟢 A 2 hour online evening workshop for 2 adults per booking

🟢 Opportunities to ask questions during the session*

🟢 Access to a named education midwife for follow up questions.

Over the course of the evening we will explore:

🟢 Why consider water birth?- The benefits of water for the birthing person and baby

🟢 Water-birth provision at Royal Surrey Maternity

🟢 Safety, Risks and Special Considerations

🟢 What are the risks of labouring and birthing in water ?

🟢 When/why you might be advised to get out of the pool?

🟢 The Consultant Led pool room and who can access it.

🟢 Caring for you and your baby in the water

🟢 How we can maintain safety and support you in your choice to labour and/or birth in water.

🟢 What to wear.

🟢 Pharmacological pain relief (drugs) and the use of water.

🟢 The Birth Partners role and coping methods which compliment the use of the pool.

Please note that due to the nature of the class we will be sharing images of labour and birth in water.

*Our Midwife facilitators do not have access to your medical records and cannot make specific recommendations about your suitability to use water during labour and birth

This workshop if free for Royal Surrey Maternity Clients. See the "Free classes and events" tab in your Maternity Parent Portal for details

Royal Surrey Maternity Unit

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