Royal Berkshire Maternity and Neonatal Voices

07/12/2025

Congratulations to this wonderful family welcoming their tiny human and to sibling who has a new sister 💜
Fabulous work by Chloe and Donna 💜

Royal Berkshire Maternity: Homebirth Team
Royal Berkshire NHS Maternity
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

✨️Homebirth just happened!✨️

The team welcomed a baby girl into the world earlier this morning. With family around to support and a very eager older sister who couldn't wait to meet her new baby sibling!

This family was supported by homebirth midwife Chloe and support worker Donna.

Congratulations from the whole team!

These December baby’s are keeping the team very busy! 💛

07/12/2025

Breastfeeding Network - Reading support available in Southcote this coming Thursday 💜

*** BfN support available Thursday 4th December 💜***

A BfN volunteer will be available during Messy Play at Southcote on Thursdays (10.15am-11.15am).

Come along for a chat and to ask any questions you may have - you'll find us in the hall. Our BfN peer support volunteers offer friendly, non-judgemental, evidence-based information and emotional support. All whilst you and your little one enjoy the children's centre's Messy Play session 🙂

ID: Photo of a baby feeding. Paint splatter and hand print cartoons in the background. Text reads: Breastfeeding Support at Southcote. BfN volunteer available during Messy Play. Thursdays, 10.15am-11.15am

07/12/2025

Breastfeeding Network - Reading support avaliable in Caversham this coming Wednesday 💜

*** A BfN volunteer will be available this Wednesday 10th December at Caversham children's centre, during the Health Visitor run well-baby clinic. Drop-in 9.30am-11.30am for two services in one session 😁 ***

A BfN volunteer will be available to offer breastfeeding support during the Health Visitor run well-baby clinic at Caversham, every 2nd Wednesday of the month. Drop-in between 9.30am-11.30am.

If you're coming along to the Health Visitors then you get the added bonus of being able to chat to a BfN volunteer as well and the other way around too 💜☺️
No question too small, come along for a chat - the BfN volunteer will be easy to find in their bright purple t-shirt.

ID: Purple frame, white notice reading: "BfN support drop-in at Caversham Children's Centre. 2nd Wednesdays of the month. BfN peer support volunteers will be available during the Health Visitor run well-baby clinic. Drop-in 9.30am-11.30am."

04/12/2025

On Tuesday this week we held our last MNVP Main Meeting of 2025. Where has this year gone!!!

The focus of this meeting was to share the voice of Service Users, so pregnant people, mothers, parents and partners and those who have lost babies. The voice of everyone really matters, whatever your experience of maternity and neonatal care at the Royal Berkshire Hospital is or has been.

We work in partnership, we had many of our partners at our meeting, represented by maternity leadership and teams., as well as those representing external organisations who work relentlessly everyday to improve the lives of children and families.

We want to express a huge and heartfelt thank you for everyone at our meeting this week, everyone who has attended our meetings during this year, and all our partners who have given their time and passion to celebrating the really good care and support of maternity and neonatal staff and working alongside us to create positive change where there is need.

Thank you to everyone who has spoken to us in the community or on Iffley Ward in the Parent Space, sent us an email, completed our survey. Your voice is everything... it drives the change.

We have some exciting changes coming in 2026, the P in the MNVP is looking to expand! More on that in January...

Not everyone who joined our meeting is in the pic, we had lots of our partners online, only some can be seen, and some who were in the room had needed to leave for other commitments.

Royal Berkshire NHS Maternity Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust Royal Berkshire Maternity: Homebirth Team

03/12/2025

Disability is such a broad term (and we’re still learning!) and this International Day of Disabled People we are considering how maternity services is working and improving to offer equitable experiences to all.

We’re listening to understand how each experience is different, what works well and and how you would like it to be better.

Do you identify as disabled, physically, mentally, or in a way that makes navigating maternity more challenging? We’d love to hear your story and ensure you are part of the conversation to make improvements happen.

Get • It’s International Day of Disabled People! So, let’s come together for disability equality, not just for today, but every day 💜

With 16 million disabled people in the UK, it’s time to make disability equality a priority. Disabled talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t.

We want a future where disabled people have the same rights and chances as everyone. Where barriers are removed. Attitudes are transformed. Where disabled people succeed, thrive and participate fully in society.

Want to help make a difference? Why not wear purple today and donate? Or join us to move 1 mile a day in December and ask your friends and family to sponsor you! Click the link in our bio to find out how you can get involved.

Together, we can create an equal future with disabled people.

📸 Image description: A text asset reads: “Come together for disability equality!” next to a yellow circle with a purple heart inside.

03/12/2025

Yesterday was our Main Meeting where we shared your feedback with the Partnership (more to come on that later) but it was also Giving Tuesday - a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. The power of community is a big topic for our MNVP and we are honoured to be supported by so many voluntary, charity and social enterprises across Reading and the surrounding areas.

We wanted to take the opportunity to share ways you can give throughout this week and month both nationally and locally to maternity focused projects. You’ll find info on campaigns on our stories from Tommy's The Lullaby Trust Antenatal Results & Choices Sands - baby loss charity Maternity Action Solace Women's Aid Bliss and also posts about giving locally supporting Refugee Support Group BIBS (Babies in Buscot Support) Royal Berks Charity

If you’re fundraising during the Big Give Campaign, or showing how Giving Tuesday can benefit our communities please give us a tag so we can share here.

03/12/2025

A great video tour of Iffley Ward, the main ward that care's for families following the birth of your baby, and an introduction to some of the friendly faces you may meet during your stay.

This video was created before the fabulous Parent Space was created, with the Siblings Space.

Despite the many challenges that come with it being an old building, the Postnatal leads are anyways looking for opportunities to improve the environment and make your stay the best it can be.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DcVfJoAHr/?mibextid=wwXIfr

02/12/2025

Are you a mum-to-be or maybe you know someone who is expecting who may benefit from our upcoming antenatal parenting course.

Our new course is due to begin in February 2026. Please take a read at what some of our previous attendees had to share about their experience since attending 💜

“I absolutely enjoyed every session, so much good info in a lovely, relaxed environment. Would 100% recommend!”
“The facilitators went above and beyond, I’ve noticed a massive improvement in my mood and relationships.”
“I feel more confident and prepared for when times are tough. Thank you for all your help and insight!”
“I’ve learned about baby brain development, coping with crying, and how to bond with my baby – so helpful!”

Please see below for more information ☺️

26/11/2025

Sometimes pregnancy doesn't go according to 'plan', babies come early because they are ready or need to be born for a wide variety of reasons.

We have been speaking with parents this week whose babies needed to be born earlier. It may be an experience that is surprising, or a bit of a shock, or both.
Either way it's emotional for the birthing person and their partner.

Alongside Midwives, Doctors and Health Visitors, credible, sources of information are important, The Lullaby Trust is a great place to go for info, advice and support.

💜 Royal Berkshire NHS Maternity Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust Royal Berkshire Maternity: Homebirth Team

“No matter how much you prepare, you can never be fully ready for a premature baby.”

Leah’s baby, George, was born five weeks earlier than his due date.

“A tiny baby at 4.3 pounds, he was our little Christmas miracle! He stayed in neonatal intensive care (NICU) for a few days before we took him home on Boxing Day. We redid Christmas day shortly after, which was such a special day.” Leah told us.

“I found it hard to sleep at first and found myself staying up, watching him to check he was breathing. “

“I found The Lullaby Trust’s webpage about premature and low-birth weight babies really reassuring. George was really tiny and I found it so helpful to read specific information about how to keep him safe.”

Read Leah’s story in full 👉 https://bit.ly/4h93Oep

24/11/2025

💜 Thank you Donna, and ALL the amazing Maternity Support Workers at Royal Berkshire NHS Maternity Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust Royal Berkshire Maternity: Homebirth Team 💜

💜 It's people, like Donna, that give care and kindness and make a difference to families everyday 💜

Happy MSW celebration day to all of our maternity support workers, and especially to Donna from our homebirth team!! 🎉

Please do share in the comments any of your lovely feedback for Donna or any of our other maternity support workers!

24/11/2025

Denise and Maa-Yar will be visiting the Family Room on Iffley Ward this morning for breakfast.

It's a welcoming space for women, birthing people and partners to eat breakfast, spend some time chatting with other families, it was great to see the new Siblings Space.

They were there last week, gifting fruit and speaking with Service Users.
We are there to listen, we gather feedback to take back into maternity and neonatal services, celebrating what is working well with services and to work with Leads and Service Users to make improvements where needed.

Royal Berkshire NHS Maternity Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

19/11/2025

Healthwatch Reading are reaching out to invite you to support an important piece of work being led by their service. They are currently running a survey to gather feedback from local people about their experiences using the NHS App.

Why this matters:
The NHS App is becoming a central tool for accessing healthcare services, from booking appointments to viewing medical records. However, we know that not everyone finds it easy to use or even knows it exists.
This survey is part of our contribution to the NHS 10-Year Plan and aims to influence how digital health tools are developed and delivered locally. The more voices we hear, the stronger the case we can make for inclusive, accessible healthcare

🔗 Survey link:
https://www.healthwatchreading.co.uk/post/have-you-used-the-nhs-app-tell-us-what-you-think