Welcome to Health New Zealand Waitematā Maternity Services. We have two maternity units, based at Waitakere Hospital and North Shore Hospital.
Once you know you are pregnant, it is important to make an appointment with a midwife/lead maternity carer (LMC) as soon as possible.
For help finding a midwife please visit:
Find your midwife: https://www.findyourmidwife.co.nz/
If you are having trouble finding a midwife please phone our midwife liaison services on:
Waitakere Hospital 09 837 8808
North Shore Hospital 09 486 8900 Ext 47000
What is maternity / obstetric / midwifery care?
Maternity care is care provided to you during your pregnancy, labour and birth, and up to 6 weeks after your baby is born, and care provided to your baby for the first six weeks. Maternity care is provided to you by a midwife (free) or a private obstetrician (not free). Once you have chosen a maternity carer this person is then referred to as your lead maternity carer (LMC). Your LMC will provide regular care and check ups for you during your pregnancy, attend your labour and birth, and check on you and baby regularly after the birth. If you have a more complex pregnancy or have underlying medical conditions your care will be provided by your LMC and a team of doctors and midwives from the hospital.
Place of birth
Many women give birth at either Waitakere or North Shore Hospital. However, your options for giving birth also include a primary birth unit or your home. For low risk pregnancies, giving birth at home is a safe option. Please talk with your LMC about this.
Birthing at one of the primary birthing units is also a safe choice for low risk women. The primary birthing units in the Waitematā area are:
Helensville Birth Centre https://www.birthcentre.co.nz/
Warkworth Birth Centre http://www.warkworthbirthcentre.co.nz/
Wellsford Birth Centre https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/public/maternity/wellsford-birthing-unit/
If you give birth at Waitakere or North Shore Hospital, you can still be transferred to one of the primary units soon after your birth for your postnatal stay (space permitting). All of our maternity units as well as the primary birthing units have BFHI accreditation and all midwives, nurses and lactation consultants are very experienced in helping with establishing breastfeeding.
Virtual tour of the maternity facilities at Waitakere and North Shore Hospitals
(If your monitor doesn't have audio output, you may need to use headphones)
Maternity Services at Waitakere Hospital
Waitakere Hospital provides a primary and secondary maternity facility for women with lower risk pregnancies. The Special Care Baby Unit can accommodate babies over 32 weeks' gestation. Women who are expected to have complications or are at risk of requiring an Intensive Care Unit are advised to give birth at North Shore Hospital. National Women’s Health at Auckland City Hospital provides tertiary-level care.
Community Services
Liaison Midwife - finding a midwife can be a very confusing and stressful time, especially for first time mothers or those who have found the system has changed since their last child. The liaison midwife informs women of their choices as to who can provide them with pregnancy care. The liaison midwife will also discuss what may suit each individual woman best and make the appropriate referrals to ensure antenatal care begins.
Community Midwifery - this team of midwives provides support for the antenatal clinics and provides antenatal and postnatal care for women unable to register with an LMC in West Auckland.
Antenatal Clinic Services - for secondary obstetric, obstetric physician or anaesthetic consultations as required.
Pregnancy and Parenting Education - includes courses of both antenatal classes and breastfeeding workshops.
Lactation Consultant Clinics - Get expert advice for specific breastfeeding problems from qualified lactation consultants.
Facility Services
Birthing Facilities - Waitakere Hospital has two birthing areas (Piha and Te Henga Wards) featuring a total of eight birthing rooms and two deep water birth pools. For women who are cared for by the community midwifery service, care during labour and birth is provided by Waitakere facility midwives.
Postnatal Wards - Waitakere Hospital has two postnatal wards - Te Henga and Piha – which feature a total of 28 postnatal beds. If all is well for you and your baby after birth, you may discuss with your LMC about going home or transferring to a primary unit after birth. Postnatal support is also available in the postnatal ward for a night or two following your birth. Longer stays may be arranged where you or your LMC/maternity carers recommend further support.
Services available for maternity clients include:
- Lactation consultant: to support women with complex breastfeeding issues and to provide practical breastfeeding workshops.
- Physiotherapy: providing individual assessment, advice and treatment.
- Social work: experienced social workers provide confidential counselling and advocacy services and information on community support.
- Cultural support: Te Puna O Te Ora Services provide cultural support to Māori women and their whānau, providing access to health, advocacy and the appropriate support services where required. A Māori community liaison worker is available to assist you and your whānau.
- A Pacific cultural liaison worker advocates and liaises between members of Pacific peoples communities and maternity to improve access for women and their families.
- Asian Health Support Service offer a variety of support networks for members of the Asian community.
Please click here for maternity services provided at North Shore Hospital.