Waitemata DHB provides maternity services at its two hospitals, at North Shore and Waitakere. The two hospitals cater to women with low or medium-risk pregnancies. The Special Care Baby Units (SCBUs) at each hospital can accommodate babies over 32 weeks gestation.
Women who are expected to have complications that require tertiary level care will be seen by Auckland City Hospital’s National Women’s Health team.
North Shore and Waitakere Hospitals’ maternity facilities include birthing rooms, water birth pools for use during labour, postnatal beds, a kitchenette and a lounge area for women.
The maternity care for well women is generally provided by a self-employed Lead Maternity Carer (midwife or doctor). Women with complex pregnancies may require care from a multidisciplinary team that includes midwives, obstetricians, obstetric physicians and other health care practitioners. Pregnant women can access a range of support services via their Lead Maternity Carer.
Waitemata DHB also coordinates a range of childbirth education classes:
- Antenatal classes
- Breastfeeding workshops.
To find out more about the courses on offer, please contact the childbirth education office: (09) 486 8920 Ext 3048.