Welcome to Maternity Services at UHNM

Maternity Services

Welcome to the University Hospitals of North Midland’s Maternity Centre. We are a large and fast paced maternity service working in partnership with women and their families to deliver innovative care at both Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital, Stafford.

We strive to deliver exceptional care at all times and our dedicated teams are here to help you through your pregnancy and birth and provide you with the best care to suit your individual needs. Our team is passionate about the quality of care provided and our woman-focused approach looks at your needs throughout each and every stage of your pregnancy.

We work closely with our Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS) to progress transformation of maternity services with the aim of continuous improvements for mothers and babies.

The service provides high quality, evidence based care to around 6,500 women and babies from Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire each year and our maternity unit at Royal Stoke includes a consultant-led unit, Midwife Birth Centre and Neonatal Unit.

At County Hospital, we provide a Freestanding Birthing Unit (FMBU), maternity and gynaecology services as well as antenatal and postnatal appointments.

When you know you are pregnant you can now self-refer to UHNM by visiting https://www.uhnm.nhs.uk/our-services/maternity/my-pregnancy-notes/

Once registered, a midwife will aim to be in touch with you approximately 8 weeks into your pregnancy to arrange an appointment that is convenient to you and your family.

This is the easiest and fastest way to refer. Or you contact the community office midwifery office on 01782 672181 and we will be in touch to arrange your telephone booking appointment.

Whilst 01782 672181 is available from 08:30 – 16:30 we respectfully ask that you contact this number after 10:30. 

During 08:30-10:30 the line is particularly busy due to hospital communication to the community midwifery teams.

Maternity Birthing Centre visiting

From Monday 30 May two birth partners can accompany the woman for induction of labour, established labour and birth

MBC telephone contact 01782 672200

Ward 205 and 206 visiting

From Monday 30 May:

Visiting is permitted between 9am and 9pm for partners and own children only.

General visiting is permitted between 6pm and 9pm .

No more than two visitors are allowed per bed at one time (including the partner).

Children must not be left unsupervised with patients on the ward.

Ward 205 telephone contact 01782 672205

Ward 206 telephone contact 01782 672206

Births at the Freestanding Midwifery Birthing Unit (FMBU) remain suspended. UHNM Maternity Services are currently conducting a full review of our midwifery workforce numbers. Maternity services will then be in a position to review our proposed models of care. We continue to offer antenatal and postnatal care at FMBU.

At booking you midwife will explain choices for place of birth. If you are healthy with no complications and having low risk care, you could consider a homebirth. Giving birth at home is a safe option for many women and birthing people who have experienced an uncomplicated pregnancy and, in particular, who have had a previous normal vaginal birth and who do not have any medical problems. If your pregnancy is high risk and you are considering a homebirth, please discuss this with your midwife so you can both explore your options.


Our priority is to provide safe, supportive, and evidence-based midwifery care if you choose to give birth to your baby at home.
There are a few advantages of giving birth at home which include the following:

  • Giving birth in your own familiar surroundings where you may feel more relaxed and able to cope. This can help the progress of your labour
  • Some research has suggested that those who birth at home use less pain relief which may relate to feeling more relaxed and able to cope.
  • You don't have to interrupt your labour to go to hospital
  • You will not need to leave your other children or other close family
  • You will not have to be separated from your partner after the birth
  • Homebirth has been shown to reduce the likelihood of interventions such as instrumental delivery (ventouse and forceps) in healthy pregnancies and increase the chance of a normal vaginal birth

If you would like to look at the evidence for the safety of birth at home please see the Birth Place Study (NPEU 2011).

Monthly homebirth workshops take place to prepare women and birthing people for what to expect when planning to birth at home. Birth partners are also encouraged to attend this workshop. Please speak to your midwife for more information.

If you are pregnant and need information about home births, or any other non-urgent issue relating to your pregnancy, your health after giving birth or the health of your newborn baby, please call your community hub telephone number:

County Women’s Health Centre and County Community Midwifery

Telephone 01785 230059

Newcastle Team based at Bradwell Community Midwifery Hub

Telephone 0300 123 0905

Central Team  Community Midwifery  Hub based at Thomas Boughey Centre

Telephone 01782 233582

South Team Community Midwifery Hub based at Bentilee Neighbourhood Centre

Telephone 01782 231822

North team Community Midwifery Hub based at Chell Heath Childrens Centre

Telephone 01782 231152

Thank you for your understanding and support.

The community midwifery team will contact you by telephone the day after you have left hospital to ensure that you and your baby are well and to arrange a visit.  You may be asked to attend a postnatal clinic.

Please inform the community midwifery team if you or any member of your household has any symptoms of Covid-19, or a positive test.

Maternity Assessment Unit (MAU)

We're here for you

It is really important that you continue to contact the Maternity Assessment Unit (MAU) if you have concerns about your own health, or your baby’s. For example:

  • you have bleeding from your vagina or leaking fluid (clear or any colour)
  • your baby’s movements have slowed down, stopped or changed
  • you have a headache, problems with your vision, pain just below your ribs, vomiting or sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet
  • you have severe itching or a rash, particularly one affecting your hands and feet; or if the whites of your eyes and your skin is yellow
  • you have pain in your tummy, or you are having contractions or tightenings
  • you feel unsafe at any time
  • trust your instincts; if in doubt, get checked out!
  • voice your concerns
  • ensure your concerns are heard.

The MAU is open 24/7. Please call MAU on 01782 672300. 

Watch the video to find out more about the MAU patient pathway. 

My Pregnancy Notes

Infant feeding support

Antenatal Screening

Perinatal Mental Health

Pregnancy and Diabetes

Patient Support and Advice

Smoking and pregnancy

Perinatal Pelvic Health Services (PPHS)

Ward 205 - Antenatal ward and Transitional Care

Ward 206 - Postnatal Information

Lifestyle information

Vaccination Information

Interactive Neonatal Unit Tour

Click here to see the unit

Virtual Tour

Induction of Labour at UHNM

We're here for you

At UHNM, we prioritize the safety and well-being of both you and your baby. In some cases, you may be offered an induction of labour. This decision is made to ensure a safe delivery for you and your baby.

There are various reasons why an induction may be recommended, such as diabetes, concerns about your baby's growth, being over your due date, and more. Rest assured, the specific reasons behind the recommendation will be thoroughly explained and discussed with you by your pregnancy doctor or midwife.

Once an induction has been agreed upon and requested, an induction midwife will reach out to you within a few days. They will help you plan a suitable date for the induction and provide information on how you will be contacted on the day.

In most cases, your induction journey will begin in our, Blossom Suite. To give you a glimpse of what to expect, we have prepared a short video tour of the Blossom Suite. This video will not only showcase the suite's comforting environment but also provide an explanation of how your induction journey may unfold.

We understand that every birth experience is unique, and we are committed to ensuring your comfort, safety, and peace of mind throughout the induction process. Please take a moment to watch the video below for a virtual tour of our Blossom Suite and an overview of your induction journey.