Maternity Services
Our dedicated teams are here to help you through your pregnancy and birth. Providing you and your baby with the best care to suit your individual needs.
Home birthing service paused - 4 March 2026
We have made the decision to pause our home birth services, operating from Kettering General Hospital. The decision follows a review of our home birth services across University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, which highlighted some challenges for the service.
University Hospitals of Northamptonshire Chief Nurse Julie Hogg said: “This has been a difficult decision, and we apologise for any disappointment it may cause. However, our priority is the safety of the women, families and babies using our services, and supporting our colleagues to provide this care.
“We plan to pause the services until late spring to enable us to safely build a robust and strengthened service. We will keep you informed of our progress.”
Women and families using the services will continue to be offered a personalised plan of care.
We appreciate your support. Our community midwives are contacting those who were due to have a homebirth. If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact your community midwife, who will be able to speak to you about your options.
Period late, tell us by 8 weeks - register your pregnancy
Once you know you are pregnant, let us know. Booking your pregnancy by 8 weeks helps us to plan your care and book your scans.
To book your new pregnancy with the Midwifery Team please complete the Badger Notes self referral form.
Your local community midwife team will then contact you to arrange a booking appointment.
Badger Notes is a new improved digital platform for you maternity notes, find out more about Badger Notes.
Maternity Helpline
Please call 01536 492848, if you have any questions or concerns with your pregnancy; if you are worried your baby’s movements have reduced or you think you are in labour. Open 24 hours a day 7 days week.
Please use the helpline for post natal advice, midwives can support and advise you for 6 weeks after the birth of you baby.
Don't wait to see how you feel tomorrow (YouTube Video) - If you feel something isn't right please contact your midwife, don't wait to see how you feel tomorrow.
Kettering Hospital Delivery Suite
Within our delivery Suite we have allocated rooms identified for Midwifery led care, two of which have birthing pools, you will be cared for by our midwives. These are ideal for those who are suitable for midwifery led care but prefer to deliver in hospital rather than at home.
If you experience complications during labour, you will not need to be moved – you will have access to midwives, obstetricians, anaesthetists and neonatologists as well as any appropriate medical interventions.
Why might I consider the Delivery Suite?
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You would like to use water for labour and/or birth but prefer to birth in hospital
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You think having a baby is a natural process and have confidence in your body’s ability to give birth but would prefer to birth in hospital rather than at home
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You are experiencing complications in your pregnancy
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You have experienced complications in a previous pregnancy or labour
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You have a medical illness that complicates your pregnancy
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You are pregnant with twins or triplets
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Your baby is in the ‘breech’ position (bottom down)
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You are confident that you will want epidural pain relief during labour
The Delivery suite is led by obstetricians who provide care in collaboration with midwives. You will have a midwife who will provide care for you and attend your birth if you give birth on our Delivery Suite. The Delivery Suite offers equipment and facilities to provide interventions such as continuous fetal heart rate monitoring, a caesarean or instrumental birth and blood transfusions if necessary.
Our Theatres are adjacent to our delivery suite should you require an emergency caesarean section.
Visiting our Maternity Services
Visiting is between 8.00am and 8.00pm for a birth partner and siblings.
Additional visitors are welcome between 3.00pm and 8.00pm. With a maximum of three people including siblings at any one time, on the antenatal and postnatal ward. Children who are not siblings of the newborn are not permitted on the ward.
- Two birthing partners are welcome whilst you are in labour.
- For pregnant people your birth partner is welcome to accompany you to all your appointments including your scans, however children are unable to attend.
- There is a drop off area outside Rockingham Wing, but currently no parking spaces directly outside. Please use the multi-story car park (B) and ask your midwife or ward clerk, on admission to the unit, for a concession slip for you stay. For more information on car parking at Kettering General Hospital.
- We are currently having some urgent estates work taking place at the front and upper levels of Rockingham Wing. Please bear with us during this time.
- Both antenatal and postnatal care is provided in Maple Ward, on the 1st floor of Rockingham Wing.
- One birth partner is welcome to remain on Maple ward overnight; we will ask that you follow the guidance, outlined in the Birthing Partner Staying Overnight Leaflet, which will be issued on arrival at the ward.
If a visitor or support partner has tested positive or are displaying symptoms of COVID, they are asked to remain at home. If you have any concerns, please speak to your midwife. Please continue to use hand gels or wash hands, as appropriate.
Guidance for birthing partner staying overnight
We welcome birthing partners to stay overnight however we are unable to provide facilities such as beds, pillows or blankets, showers or regular meals for a birth partners who choose to stay overnight. See guidance for birthing partner staying overnight for more information.