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This page was last updated at 11:35AM on January 18, 2012

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Public Service

Capital & Coast DHB Women's Health Obstetrics & Maternity Service

Hours

The Hospital Main Entrance doors are open from 6am - 9pm.
For after-hours access there is a bell to the right of these doors, which will be answered by the security orderlies.
For Delivery Suite access, see below under "Delivery Suite Ward 4 South".

Description

Capital & Coast DHB Obstetrics & Maternity Service

Finding your way around
You will find maps and signs throughout the hospital.

Map 1 - Displays entrances to Wellington Regional Hospital. 
Map 2 - Displays the hospital levels and department locations

If you’re unsure of where to go, please ask a staff member. All staff members wear identity cards and are happy to help you.

What is Obstetrics?
Obstetrics is the area of medicine concerned with the treatment of women during pregnancy (antenatal), labour and delivery, and the time after childbirth (postnatal). Once pregnancy has been confirmed, regular antenatal checks should be performed by a midwife, GP or obstetrician (a doctor who is specialised in obstetrics). In the first 28 weeks, these checks will be done every month but will increase as the pregnancy progresses.

Referral Expectations

Birthing Units
There are three maternity facilities within the Capital and Coast District Health Board.

Kenepuru and Paraparaumu Maternity Units are small Level 0 units where Lead Maternity Carers (LMCs) will book 'low-risk women' for labour, birth and postnatal stay. These units are 30 and 60 minutes drive from the Wellington Hospital in normal traffic conditions.

Wellington Hospital provides maternity facilities for all women, ranging from healthy low risk pregnant women under primary LMC care, to women requiring tertiary/specialist services for complex obstetric and/or medical needs in pregnancy. A tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is on the same site.

Women domiciled close to Wellington, or those anticipating needs for obstetric or anaesthetic support in labour, are booked to labour and birth at Wellington Hospital. Others will transfer in from the Level 0 units if the need arises in labour. Women will also be transferred to Wellington Hospital for tertiary obstetric and/or neonatal care from throughout the lower North Island and upper South Island.

Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) is a branch of Women’s Health which includes high-risk pregnancy where the mother or baby, or both, has a problem.

Midwives
Within the Women's Health Service there are three midwifery teams. Each midwifery team caters to the needs of a specific group of women. None of the midwifery teams employed by the Women's Health Service provide care for women living north of Whitby or in the Hutt Valley. The intrapartum (labour and birth) care is provided by the core midwives working in Delivery Suite.

Primary Care Midwives - the hospital-based primary care team was established to provide maternity care for those women unable to find a community-based maternity care provider.

Shared Care Midwives - the shared care midwives work in conjunction with your nominated private obstetrician (LMC).

High Risk Midwives - the high risk midwifery team provides midwifery care for those women who require secondary or tertiary level maternity care.

All pregnant women are encouraged to register with a Lead Maternity Carer (LMC). A LMC is either a midwife or obstetrician who provides continuity of care for the woman throughout her pregnancy.

Lists of LMCs are available in the telephone directory or through 0800 mum 2 be (0800 686 223).

Common Conditions / Procedures / Treatments

  • Information for Midwives and other LMCs (Referral Guidelines and Forms)

    Please click on the following link to register with Healthpoint... More

  • Antenatal

    Congratulations on your pregnancy. Primary maternity services in Wellington are provided by independent Lead Maternity Carers (LMCs) who might be a specialist obstetrician or midwife... More

  • Kenepuru Maternity Unit

    Women who are expected to have a normal vaginal birth are able to book at the Kenepuru  Maternity Unit... More

  • Paraparaumu Maternity Unit

    Paraparaumu Maternity Unit is situated in a wing of the Kapiti Health Centre, Warrimoo St, Paraparaumu... More PDF

  • Hospital Midwifery Services - High Risk Team

    The high risk team midwives provide midwifery care for those women who require secondary or tertiary level maternity care... More PDF

  • Hospital Midwifery Services - Primary Care Team

    The Women's Health Service hospital-based Primary Care team was established to provide maternity care for those women who are unable to find a community-based care provider... More PDF

  • Hospital Midwifery Services - Shared Care Team

    The shared care midwives work in conjunction with the woman’s nominated lead maternity carer – usually a private consultant obstetrician... More PDF

  • Women's Clinics - Acute Assessment

    The Acute Assessment Unit acts as a front door to the Women's Health Service for women requiring acute assessment for obstetric and gynaecological conditions... More

  • Women's Clinics - Maternal Fetal Medicine

    Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) is a branch of Women’s Health which includes high-risk pregnancy where the mother or baby, or both, has a problem... More PDF

  • Women's Clinics - Ultrasound

    Ultrasound provides a comprehensive scanning service for obstetrics, prenatal diagnosis and treatment, and gynaecological scanning... More

  • Delivery Suite Ward 4 South

    Delivery Suite is a modern, purpose-built, state-of-the-art maternity ward catering for the needs of women and their families... More

  • Delivery Suite Tours

    Tours of the Delivery Suite are organised by your Lead Maternity Carer (LMC). More

  • Antenatal/Postnatal Inpatient Ward 4 North Pods B, C and D

    The antenatal/postnatal ward area is divided into three pods with a total availability of 40-41 beds... More PDF

  • Antenatal and Newborn Screening in New Zealand

    Pregnant women in New Zealand currently have access to three antenatal and newborn screening programmes and one quality improvement initiative... More PDF

  • Antenatal Blood Tests

    Having blood tests early on in your pregnancy can help protect you and those close to you... More

  • Anti-D Immunoglobulin for Rh Negative Women

    Anti-D immunoglobulin for Rh negative women who have miscarried or have had a sensitising event is prescribed and ordered by the GP or LMC from the Blood Centre during working hours Monday to Friday... More

  • Amniocentesis

    This is a procedure used to evaluate the health of your unborn baby and identify any problems that may exist... More

  • Breastfeeding Classes 2012

    More PDF

  • Breastfeeding Information

    Choosing to breastfeed your new baby is an important decision for both you and your baby... More PDF

  • Breastfeeding Support in your Community for the Capital & Coast District

    Breastfeeding Support in your Community for the Capital & Coast District
    If you need help with latching your baby or if you are experiencing a change in your baby’s breastfeeding pattern, or just need help and reassurance then please let us help you... More

  • Caesarean Section

    A caesarean section is the name of the operation done to deliver a baby through a cut in your stomach and uterus (womb)... More PDF

  • Chorionic Villus Sampling

    Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is used to test for genetic disorders, such as Down’s syndrome, and involves taking a small sample of the chorionic villi, which are the tiny units that make up the placenta... More

  • Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH)

    DDH describes a variety of conditions in which the ball and socket of the hip do not develop properly... More PDF

  • Disinfection of Expressing Equipment

    More PDF

  • Epidural

    An epidural is a type of anaesthetic (medication that stops pain and feeling) that makes your lower body numb without putting you to sleep... More

  • External Cephalic Version (ECV)

    About 3 - 4% of babies will remain in a breech position near term... More PDF

  • Foetal Distress

    A foetus is the name given to an unborn baby after the eighth week of pregnancy until birth... More

  • Gestational Diabetes

    Gestation is the length of a pregnancy from conception to birth (usually 40 weeks in humans)... More

  • Group B Streptococcus and Pregnancy

    Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a common bacterium that lives in the body without causing harm to healthy people... More PDF

  • Herbal/ Complementary Medicines in Maternity Care

    It is recognised that herbal or complementary therapy may have important effects on the progress of pregnancy, labour and birth, and the postnatal period for both the woman and her baby... More

  • HIV Screening in Pregnancy

    Recommended routine HIV screening in pregnancy for women Pregnant women should be offered an HIV test along with their first antenatal blood tests.  Women have the option to decline the test... More

  • Hyperemesis Gravidarum

    Nausea and vomiting are the most common symptoms experienced in early pregnancy, with approximately 50 - 80% of women experiencing nausea and 50% of pregnant women experiencing vomiting... More PDF

  • Induction of Labour

    Induction of labour is the process of starting labour artificially... More PDF

  • Infertility

    About one in every six couples in New Zealand will experience infertility... More

  • Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)

    In a very small number of pregnancies, the baby may not grow as well as in a normal pregnancy... More

  • In Vitro Fertilisation

    This is the process of fertilising the woman’s egg with the male’s sperm outside of the woman’s body in the laboratory... More

  • Managing Pain in Labour

    Antenatal preparation for labour will help you gain confidence in your own ability to give birth... More PDF

  • Mastitis and Thrush

    Mastitis is inflammation of the breast. It can be caused by a blocked duct or by an infection in the breast... More PDF

  • Mothers with Babies in NICU Staying in NICU or Ronald McDonald House

    More PDF

  • Neonatal Jaundice & Phototherapy

    Jaundice is a common and normal finding in newborn babies... More PDF

  • Newborn Hearing Screening

    The aim of the New Zealand Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Early Intervention Programme (UNHSEIP) is for early identification of babies with hearing loss so that they can access timely and appropriate interventions, thereby improving the outcomes of these children, their families and Whanau, communities and society, and reducing inequalities... More PDF

  • Obstetric Ultrasound

    Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning, is a method of obtaining pictures from inside the human body through the use of high frequency sound waves... More

  • Postpartum Depression

    The postpartum (also called postnatal) period is the time after the birth of a baby... More

  • Premature Baby

    A premature baby is one that is born before 37 weeks’ gestation (the length of a pregnancy from conception to birth)... More

  • Pre- eclampsia

    Toxaemia of pregnancy or pre-eclampsia is a condition that occurs in some women during the second half of pregnancy... More

  • Third Stage of Labour

    The third stage of labour is defined as the time immediately after the birth of your baby until the time your placenta (afterbirth or whenua) has been delivered... More PDF

  • Third and Fourth Degree Perineal Tears

    What is a perineal tear? Most women, 8 - 9 out of 10 (85%), have a tear during childbirth... More PDF

  • Vitamin K Prophylaxis and your Baby

    Vitamin K is essential to the clotting of blood, but levels of the vitamin are very low in newborn babies... More PDF

  • Venous Thrombosis in Pregnancy

    Thrombosis is a blood clot in a blood vessel (a vein or an artery)... More PDF

  • Wellington Miscarriage Support Group

    Support and information for women and their families who have lost a baby through miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy... More

Charges

New Zealand citizens or those who have obtained permanent residence are entitled to publicly funded healthcare.

Non-residents may be required to pay for their healthcare. If you were not born in New Zealand and have not previously shown evidence of residency you should bring your passport with you on your first visit to the hospital for verification. 

To check if you will need to pay visit the Ministry of Health website www.moh.govt.nz/eligibility

Consultants

Dr Peter Abels
Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

Available at Wellington Hospital - Nga Puna Waiora

Dr Anju Basu
Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

Available at Wellington Hospital - Nga Puna Waiora

Dr Rose Elder
Obstetrician & Gynaecologist - Clinical Leader Obstetrics

Available at Wellington Hospital - Nga Puna Waiora

Dr Jackie Hawley
Obstetrician & Gynaecologist - Clinical Leader Gynaecology

Available at Wellington Hospital - Nga Puna Waiora, Kenepuru Community Hospital - Te Hohipera o Kenepuru

Dr Fali Langdana
Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

Available at Wellington Hospital - Nga Puna Waiora, Kenepuru Community Hospital - Te Hohipera o Kenepuru

Dr Dean Maharaj
Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

Available at Wellington Hospital - Nga Puna Waiora, Kenepuru Community Hospital - Te Hohipera o Kenepuru

Dr Andrew Murray
Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

Available at Wellington Hospital - Nga Puna Waiora

Dr Michel Sangalli
Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

Available at Wellington Hospital - Nga Puna Waiora

Dr Valerie Schenk
Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

Available at Wellington Hospital - Nga Puna Waiora

Mr John Tait
Obstetrician & Gynaecologist - Executive Director Clinical, Surgery, Women & Children's Directorate

Available at Wellington Hospital - Nga Puna Waiora

Mr Jeremy Tuohy
Obstetrician & Gynaecologist - Clinical Leader Maternal Fetal Medicine

Available at Wellington Hospital - Nga Puna Waiora

Note: Please note above that some people are not available at all locations.

Visiting Hours

Ward 4 Pods B, C & D
Visiting hours for Ward 4 North: 10am - 1pm and 3pm - 8pm.

Please be considerate to other patients and limit the number of your visitors at any one time. There is no visiting between 1pm - 3pm as this is the patient rest period.

To respect the privacy and maintain security of the ward, we do not routinely permit partners / family members staying in the rooms overnight. If there is a clinical need for this request authorisation must be made by either by the charge midwife or associate midwife on the shift.


Paraparaumu Maternity Unit
Visiting hours are 11am - 8.30pm. Partners, siblings and families may visit when convenient, although there are no facilities for overnight stays.

Refreshments

You can purchase meals from: 

  • Fuel coffee bar located in the main corridor by the purple lifts
  • Wishbone located in the Atrium of the main hospital
  • The hospital shop in located in the Atrium of the main hospital. It is open from 7:30am - 5:30pm Mon to Fri, 9:00am - 3:00pm Sat & Sun.

Public Transport

For information about public transport to, and parking at, Wellington Regional Hospital please click here.

Accommodation

Whanau Care Services
Accommodation at Te Pehi Parata Whanau Whare for patients & whanau

Temporary accommodation is provided for patients and whanau who are supporting an inpatient from outside the Capital & Coast District Health Board region.

Sometimes patients who are booked to have surgery at Wellington Hospital need to come in before their operation to be assessed by the doctors or nurses. They may be asked to be at hospital early on the morning of their surgery. This can be difficult for patients who live out of the Wellington region.

  • Accommodation is limited with pre-booking advised. There is one room per whanau for three or four people depending on availability.
  • Book through Whanau Care Services between 8:00am and 4:30pm Monday to Friday.
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult.
  • The cost of a room is $30.00 a night with a $10.00 refundable key bond.

Riddiford Building Hostel
There are also accommodation facilities within the Riddiford Building for patients and their relatives. There are 20 single rooms which cost $30 per night or $150 per week; children 12 years old and under are not charged. The rooms are provided with fresh linen and the kitchen is fully equipped with tea, coffee and sugar provided.

For enquiries or to make a booking, contact the Accommodation Manager on ext 5817.

Pharmacy

Medications are dispensed to inpatients while they are in hospital by the hospital pharmacy.

Retail pharmacies can be located in the Newtown shopping area which is a 10-minute walk from the hospital.

Security

Security orderlies are on duty 24 hours a day. They patrol all of the facilities on the hospital site.

The hospital and wards are locked down each night at 8:30pm Security orderlies are stationed at the front of the hospital - enter from Riddiford Street Newtown. Level 2, Wellington Regional Hospital.

Website

www.ccdhb.org.nz

Other

Wheelchair Access
Wheelchair access is through the main entrance of Wellington Regional Hospital. Entry is via Riddiford Street, Newtown, or the underground carpark.

Telephones
 There are card and coin telephones in all the main corridors and foyers. If you cannot find one, please ask a staff member. Phone cards are available from the Atrium shop, main atrium foyer, Level 2 (Entry via Riddiford Street Newtown). 

Banking Services
 There is an ASB ATM cashflow machine in the main atrium foyer, Level 2, entry via Riddiford Street Newtown. This machine accepts most major cards. Branches of most banks can be found in Newtown, a five minute walk south from the Main Entrance on Riddiford Street.

NZ Post
A NZ Post box is located in the main atrium foyer, Level 2, entry via Riddiford Street Newtown.

Flowers, Gifts, Letters and Parcels
Flowers, gifts, letters or parcels should be clearly marked with the patient’s name and ward. Flowers are not allowed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Send letters and parcels to the address below:

Wellington Hospital
Private Bag 7902
Newtown
Wellington 6242

For delivery of flowers and gifts, the address is:

Wellington Hospital
Riddiford Street
Newtown 6021

Locations Information

Choose one of the locations above for address and contact information.

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