Maternity Services at Waitakere Hospital
Waitakere Hospital provides a primary and secondary maternity facility for women with low risk pregnancies. The Special Care Baby Unit can accommodate babies over 32 weeks' gestation. Women who are expected to have complications requiring a 24-hour blood bank service or 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.
Aratika Midwives - this is a group of 4 midwives who provides continuity of care for women with complex maternity needs.
Antenatal Clinic Services - for secondary obstetric, obstetric physician or anaesthetic consultations as required.
Childbirth 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 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 30 postnatal beds. The average length of stay for women who have had a normal vaginal birth is two - three 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 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.
A Pacific Island Community Liaison worker advocates and liaises between members of Pacific Island communities and maternity to improve access for women and their families.
Please click here for maternity services provided at North Shore Hospital.
