Pātiki and Waharua Kōpito patterns
A new team of community midwives has been established at Wairau Hospital to support hapū māmā / pregnant women living in Marlborough in response to growing demand for community maternity services.
Associate Director of Midwifery – Operations Manager Debbie Fisher says, “We currently have a limited number of LMCs (Lead Maternity Carers) in our community, so we have established an employed team of community midwives based at Tatau Pounamu, the midwifery community hub centre located at Wairau Hospital who can offer community maternity services.”
“Our team will provide continuity of care for hapū māmā during their pregnancy and during their first six weeks after having their baby which includes visiting them at home too. We also have dedicated staff midwives who provide care for women during their labour and birth or planned caesarean section births.”
The dedicated maternity unit provides 24/7 maternity care, and all services including antenatal classes are available to hapū māmā who are eligible for publicly funded health care. Antenatal classes covering topics like the birthing environment, childbirth, breastfeeding, new born behaviours, parental wellbeing and practical parenting are held regularly.
“If you are pregnant and haven’t been able to book in with a LMC in the community, please book in with us as soon as possible so you can get to know your midwife. We can enrol you into our free antenatal classes as well as provide you with all the information and care you and your whānau need during this special time,” says Ms Fisher.
For more information and to book in online, please go to Maternity Services, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora - Nelson Marlborough.