Staffordshire parents-to-be can now take a virtual tour of the University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) Maternity Unit before their arrival.

The new interactive tour aims to help expectant families familiarise themselves with the unit at Royal Stoke and help them to understand what to expect throughout their pregnancy, labour, birth and postnatal journey.

The tour, available on the UHNM website, includes key areas of the Maternity Unit including antenatal and postnatal wards, the delivery suite and theatre areas.

Developed in partnership with the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP), the tour also includes information points providing details about facilities and equipment.

Donna Brayford, director of midwifery at UHNM, said: "We know that having a baby is a hugely important and exciting time, but for many women and families coming into hospital can also feel unfamiliar and daunting.

"This virtual tour gives families the opportunity to explore our maternity unit before they arrive, helping them understand the environment, feel more prepared and know what to expect during their care.

"The tour was developed following feedback from women and families and is a great example of how listening to people's experiences can help us make improvements that really matter.

"We are committed to providing safe, personalised and compassionate maternity care, and we hope this resource helps families feel more confident and supported throughout their journey with us."

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UHNM says the virtual tour was developed in response to feedback gathered during an MNVP induction of labour listening session.

Women told the partnership that not knowing where they would receive care during their induction journey was a "significant source of anxiety".

Alexandra Jakeman, MNVP lead for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, said: "Women and families told us that not knowing what the maternity unit looked like or where they would be receiving care added to their anxiety during induction of labour.

"This virtual tour has been developed directly in response to that feedback.

"By helping families familiarise themselves with the environment before they arrive, we hope they will feel more informed, reassured and confident about their maternity journey.

"We encourage everyone to continue sharing their feedback, as every experience helps us improve services for future families."