Welcome to the Labour and Birthing Suite at Auckland City Hospital; a modern unit which caters for all pregnant women from those who want an intervention free birth to those who require the care of a specialist team. We have everything from pools for labour and/or birthing, to a full epidural service 24 hours a day if required.

This is a large teaching hospital; we have specialist teams, including a midwifery team, available. Our aim is to give you one-on-one care while in labour and to follow your birth plan whenever possible.

Many midwives and obstetricians (Lead Maternity Carers) have access agreements for this unit and we are here to support them during any emergency if required.

To view a virtual tour of the Labour and Birthing Suite in English or in Mandarin click here

Following the birth of your baby and providing both the mother and baby are well, postnatal care will be at Birthcare Auckland Ltd or at home. Should you need to stay at Auckland City Hospital then you will be transferred to a postnatal ward. Most mothers and babies will be transferred to Birthcare approximately 3-4 hours after birth. Please remember to bring the car seat and warm woollen clothing for the baby so that you may be transferred safely.

Please visit the National Women's Health website for more information www.nwhealthinfo.co.nz

The Women's Health Information Unit is located in the Atrium area on level 9 at Auckland City Hospital.

Open: Monday 8am - 4pm, Tuesday 8am - 12noon, Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Contact: Ph: (09) 307 8978  or email:  .

Some ideas of what to bring to hospital

Suggestions for labour:

• Support person is welcome
• Lip balm, massage oil
• Warm socks
• Own pillow
• Food and drink for support person, energy snacks and drinks for you
• Music of choice
• All important camera
• Wheatie bag for comfort
• Toiletries

We recommend you leave your valuables at home.

For your ongoing stay in hospital:

• Day or night wear: you may feel more comfortable in your own day clothes or night wear remembering that you will be breast feeding so an opening down the front is recommended
• A supportive breast feeding bra is also essential and appropriate                                  
• Your own pillow and cover
• Complementary remedies and usual medications
• Your own mug or cup. Tea and Milo are provided.
• Card phones are available, card required.

For baby:

We provide singlets and nappies during your stay, but recommend that you bring woollen hat, booties and cardigans for your baby.

To take baby home:

Appropriate clothing for the time of year including a woollen hat, warm shawl or blanket.

Car seat appropriate for newborn baby is always required.

If you are not a NZ resident you may be required to pay for health services in NZ.
To check  whether you need to pay for your care please contact the Finance Department on (09) 638 0420 or visit the Ministry of Health website http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/eligibility-healthservices-maternity

Visiting restrictions allow for only two nominated persons to attend - this is not interchangeable. 

No children under the age of 5 can attend the Labour & Birthing Suite. 

Once moved to post natal wards family and friends may visit however restriction maybe applied at certain times.

There are snack and drink machines, including a coffee machine, in the corridor close to the entrance of the Labour and Birthing Suite.

On Level 5 there are several food outlets:

Muffin Break                       6.30am - 6.30pm Mon - Friday

                                          8.00am - 5.00pm Sat & Sun

Subway                               6.30am - 8.00pm Mon - Friday

                                          7.30am - 8.00pm Sunday

Dairy/Grocery Store              7.00am - 6.00pm Mon - Friday

                                          9.00am - 5.00pm Sat & Sun

Planet Espresso                  7.00am - 5.00pm Mon - Friday

                                          9.00am - 2.00pm Sat - Sun

For a map of the hospital and carpark building click here.

For a virtual tour of the Labour and Birthing Suite and how to get there click here.

The Link Bus and Hospitals Bus 283 both pass by the hospital.

The hospital is a short walk (10 minutes) from both Newmarket West and Boston Road train stations.

When you are in labour and need to be dropped off at the hospital, there is drop off parking at the entrance to the hospital at Level 4. The driver can temporarily leave the car and escort you to the Labour and Birthing Suite but then must return to the car and find parking elsewhere. It would be helpful to leave a note on the car dashboard or let a security guard know that you are on the way to the Labour and Birthing Suite and will shift the car as soon as possible.

Short term free parking is available in the Auckland Domain. There is also Pay and Display parking in the streets around the hospital and a Wilsons carpark building on site. The carpark building charges are set out in the chart below (as of October 2008).

If you have family or friends who need accommodation near the hospital while you are giving birth, the two closest options are:

Domain Lodge is in Boyle Crescent, across the road from the gates to the Domain. See their website for contact details and charges  http://www.domainlodge.co.nz/

Te Whare Awhina is the accommodation service located on the Auckland City Hospital (ACH) site. There are limited beds available and a referral needs to be made via the patient's Kaiatawhai/Social Worker or nurse to let them know that your whanau/support person(s) may need accommodation.
Accommodation preference is given to whanau/family members who have patients in ACH and have travelled to Auckland from other regions. There is a fee for this service.

There is a pharmacy on Level 5 of the hospital. It is open from 8.00am to 6pm Mon to Friday and 10.00am to 4.00pm Saturday and Sunday.

Security Officers 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 8pm and security guards are stationed at the Level 4 Main Entrance and the Accident and Emergency Department on Level 2.