Maternity Services at North Shore Hospital

North Shore Hospital provides a primary and secondary maternity facility for women with low or medium risk pregnancies. The Special Care Baby Unit can accommodate babies over 32 weeks' gestation. National Women’s Health at Auckland City Hospital provides tertiary-level care.

Community Services

Antenatal Clinic Services - for secondary obstetric, obstetric physician or anaesthetic consultations as required.

Childbirth Education - includes courses by trained childbirth educators of both antenatal and breastfeeding classes.

Lactation Consultant Clinics - For help with specific breastfeeding problems from expert lactation consultants.

Facility Services

Birthing Suite - the suite has ten birthing rooms and three deep water pools. Two of the rooms are specially designated for primary birthing. For women who have a private obstetrician or GP as their Lead Maternity Carer (LMC), midwifery care during labour and birth is provided on request by North Shore Hospital facility midwives. 
-  4 bedded assessment area for one off assessments or induction of labour.

Maternity Suite - the suite has 36 inpatient beds. Postnatal care is provided by facility midwives in conjunction with the care plan provided by the LMC and the woman. Average length of stay for women who have had a normal vaginal birth is two days. The average length of stay for women who have had a Caesarean Section is three to five days. Services available for maternity clients include:

• Physiotherapy: providing a weekday postnatal exercise class and individual assessment, advice and treatment for women
• Lactation Consultant: to support women with complex breastfeeding issues and to provide practical breastfeeding workshops
• 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 Maori women and their whanau, providing access to health, advocacy and the appropriate support services where required. 
  The Asian Health Support Service brings together a variety of support networks for members of the Asian community.

Please click here for maternity services provided by Waitakere Hospital.

All pregnant women should be encouraged to register with a Lead Maternity Carer (LMC). A LMC is either a midwife, GP or obstetrician who provides continuity of care for the woman throughout her childbirth experience.

Lists of LMCs are available in the telephone directory or through MAMA ph: (09) 629 5163 or 0800 mum 2 be (0800 686 223).

Maternity care is free to New Zealand citizens, residents, and some permit holders. Please bring a copy of your passport or birth certificate with you to your first appointment.

Click here for more information about healthcare charges at Waitemata DHB.

Birthing Suite
Partner and key support people are welcome in the birthing room or may wait in the visitors lounge.

Maternity Suite
Partner or one key support person: 7am - 9pm
Restricted Visiting:  see below

Restrictions

• Rest period: 1pm - 2pm
• No children except the brothers and sisters of the new baby
• Only two visitors at a time plus partner or key support person
• Do not visit if you are unwell
• Visiting Hours 2 - 4pm and 6 - 8pm

Breastfeeding Support Directory
This resource has been developed for health professionals and community health workers as a result of feedback citing the difficulty in finding local services who can support breastfeeding mothers with queries or difficulties.
Any comments or feedback about the usefulness of the resource, or information about additional services that support breastfeeding mothers and children in Waitemata, can be directed to Leanne.Catchpole@waitematadhb.govt.nz