Royal Berkshire Maternity: Homebirth Team

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Royal Berkshire Maternity: Homebirth Team

Providing information and support regarding homebirths with Royal Berkshire Foundation Trust.

03/02/2026

✨️☕️ Coffee and Chat✨️☕️

We can’t wait to see you all at our upcoming coffee morning this Thursday 5th February at ☕️

Pop along anytime between 09:30–11:00 — and yes, we can personally guarantee the cake quality! 😋🍰☕️

These mornings are for anyone interested in homebirth, those currently being cared for by our team, or anyone who was previously looked after by us 🏡💛

01/02/2026

🩵🏡Elisa's story🩵🏡

'I’ve been under the homebirth team’s care three times in the last 8 years, and twice I’ve had Lara as my named midwife. Her warmth and positivity throughout the pregnancies have been amazing - I felt she fully respected my choices.

My first was born at RBH as I went in to be checked as there was some blood when my waters broke, and then labour progressed too quickly to go back home.

My second was born at home before arrival of the midwives, with 999 on speaker phone and the paramedics arriving a couple of minutes after his birth. Then Imogen and Chloe arrived - at the time (almost 4 years ago) Chloe was a community midwife, and I didn’t know she had joined the homebirth team!

So it was a wonderful surprise to see Chloe arrive at my third baby’s birth… well, a few minutes afterwards, as he was born before arrival too! It was the most empowering and beautiful experience. Everything went exactly as I had been envisioning in my head for weeks. I felt calm and in control in the comfort of my home, with my 7yo supporting me, together with my husband and doula (who somehow managed to arrive a bit before the birth this time!), and my 3yo playing on a tablet and occasionally peeking to see what was going on!

When Chloe, Ness and Tracey arrived they followed my birth plan to the letter and fully respected me and my choices, and within a few hours, left us chilling on the sofa as a family of 5, in awe of what had just happened.

I feel so grateful for the fact that there is a homebirth team here in Reading, as it probably wouldn’t have even crossed my mind that homebirth was possible, 8 years ago as a first time mother. Now, our family is complete in the most amazing, empowering special experience of my life ❤️

Thank you, Lara, Chloe, and all the other homebirth midwives and maternity workers I have crossed paths with in the last 8 years. You really make a difference in women’s lives ❤️'

31/01/2026

🌟 December Statistics!!! 🌟

In December we cared for 7 women in labour and had 6 homebirths. Another 2 babies arrived very quickly whilst the midwives were on route! 🏠🚗

Congratulations to all our families who welcomed their babies in December! 🎉❄️🎅

The team have had a busy January so far. And we look forward to seeing you at our coffee morning next week on the 5th February.

If you would like to share your experience of pregnancy, labour, or postnatal care with the homebirth team then email us on rbft.homebirthteam@nhs.net or send us a direct message!

29/01/2026

🌟 Homebirth happened this morning! 🌟

21/01/2026

✨ Homebirth happened ✨

This morning, the team welcomed a baby boy into the world 💙

This family was supported during the birth by homebirth midwife Joy and community midwife Nicky.

After the birth, homebirth midwives Chloe and Kerry provided postnatal care before leaving the family to enjoy those first newborn cuddles 💙✨

Congratulations from the whole team to this family 💫

18/01/2026

✨️☕️Coffee and chat!✨️☕️

Our next coffee morning is on Thursday 22nd Jan at our new location, Spoons coffee shop ✨️

Come along anytime between 09:30 - 11:00 to meet some of the homebirth team, ask questions, and chat to other parents. 🍰☕

These coffee mornings are for anyone interested in homebirth, currently being cared for by our team, or if you were previously looked after by the team! Everyone is welcome. 🏡

We look forward to seeing you there!

17/01/2026

✨️ Homebirth happened! ✨️

This week the team supported 2 homebirths on the same morning! 🏠🏠

This family were cared for overnight by homebirth midwife Anita, community midwife Cindy and maternity support worker Anna. Their baby girl was born in the pool in the early hours of the morning, and her sisters woke up early to meet her.

This photo was taken the next day when their named midwife Lara visited them at home to perform baby's Newborn Physical Examination (NIPE). We aim to do this screening test for you at home within 72 hours rather than in hospital so that parents can enjoy undisturbed time at home with baby.

Huge congratulations from all of the team!! 🎉🎉🎉

15/01/2026

✨ Homebirth happened ✨

Yesterday morning, we welcomed a baby girl into the world! This was the family’s second homebirth with our team.

Supported overnight by homebirth midwife Chloe and community midwife Gemma before handing over to homebirth midwives Lara and Naomi for the delivery 🤍

Named midwife Kerry also popped in to say hello after the birth — having supported this family through their last two pregnancies 🥰

09/01/2026

Some of our upcoming coffee morning dates for your new 2026 diaries! Including a new venue! 🍰☕✨️

Don't forget anyone interested in homebirth, currently being cared for by us, or if you were previously looked after by the team, then these mornings are for you! 🏡

01/01/2026

✨ Happy New Year ✨

Here’s a little recap of our 2025 💛

As we head into a new year, we want to say a huge thank you for all the support over the past year. Our team has had an amazing year supporting so many families and welcoming lots of beautiful babies into the world.

During 2025, we also welcomed two new midwives into our homebirth family — Joy and Ness 💛✨️

We’re incredibly proud of the care we provide and grateful to every family who has trusted us. We can’t wait to meet the 2026 babies!

30/12/2025

💜💫Hannah's experience💫💜

We’ve received such lovely feedback from this family, and it’s a meaningful reminder of the value of continuity of care. Being supported by the same midwives throughout pregnancy builds trust, confidence, and a genuine sense of safety.

Continuity of care is about relationships and consistency, and the difference this makes to families’ experiences is clear. We’re proud that our team are able to provide continuity of care and support so many families during their pregnancy journey's 🤍

*Feedback shared with consent*

25/12/2025

🎄✨ Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays✨️🎄

Wishing all of our families a joyful, peaceful holiday season filled with love, rest, and special moments together 🤍

A gentle reminder that our homebirth service is running as usual throughout Christmas and the New Year. Babies don’t follow calendars, and neither do we!

If you go into labour or your waters break over the holiday period, please contact our team as normal — we are here for you, day and night.

Merry chrismas and happy new year from the whole RBH Homebirth Team 🤍👶✨

Address

Reading
RG15AN

Website

http://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/wards-and-services/home-birth-service.htm

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A little about us

Welcome to the RBH Homebirth team page. We're passionate about helping families birth their babies at home, and would love to hear from you. Whether you're committed to home birth, or have never considered it before as an option, this is a place for you.

This site is not always monitored. Please contact your midwife directly if you have any questions relating to your clinical care. For non-urgent enquiries about having a homebirth, please drop us an email at rbft.homebirthteam@nhs.net and one of our lovely midwives will get back to you.