We provide care during pregnancy, labour birth and postnatally for around 3000 women and pregnant people and their babies each year in our maternity unit at Forth Valley Royal Hospital.
We recognise that pregnancy and birth are really important times for you and your family and we will support your individual birth choices with high quality, tailored care which is centred around your individual needs. Our dedicated midwives, doctors, maternity healthcare assistants and support staff are committed to giving you personalised care of the highest standard.
Maternity Care Standards
Improving care for women, birthing people and families in NHS Forth Valley
The Maternity Care Standards by Healthcare Improvement Scotland sets out expectations for safe, effective and person-centred maternity care. NHS Forth Valley is committed to delivering care in line with these standards, ensuring women, birthing people and their baby receive compassionate, consistent and high-quality care and support that reflects their individual needs and circumstances.
Standard 1: Person-Centred Care
Your maternity care should be built around you, your baby and your family. You should feel listened to, respected and involved in decisions about your care at every stage of your maternity journey.
Standard 2: Reducing Inequalities
Every woman, baby and family should receive fair access to maternity services, regardless of their background, circumstances or additional needs. Support should be tailored to help everyone achieve the best possible outcomes.
Standard 3: Safe Care
Maternity services should provide safe, effective care based on the best available evidence. Staff should work together to identify risks, prevent harm and support positive outcomes for women and babies.
Standard 4: Continuity of Care
You should experience joined-up care from professionals who understand your needs and circumstances. Good communication between teams helps ensure a consistent and supportive maternity journey.
Standard 5: Community-Based Care
Whenever appropriate, maternity care should be provided as close to home as possible. Services should be accessible, convenient and designed around the needs of local families.
Standard 6: Informed Choice and Decision Making
You should receive clear, accurate information about your care options so you can make decisions that are right for you and your family. Your choices should be respected and supported.
Standard 7: Supporting Positive Pregnancy, Birth and Parenthood
Maternity services should help women, babies and families have the best possible experience of pregnancy, birth and the transition to parenthood through compassionate support and preparation.
Standard 8: Multi-Agency Working
Different health, social care and community services should work together to provide coordinated support. This helps ensure families receive the right care, at the right time, from the right people.
Standard 9: Learning and Improving
Maternity services should continually learn from feedback, experience and evidence to improve the quality of care provided to women, babies and families.
We would also like to invite service users to provide feedback on using our services below.
Within the sections below, we hope to provide information and support to prepare you for pregnancy, labour, birth, and the early days of parenting.