Burwood Birthing Unit, Christchurch

I'm planning on birthing at Burwood and would really like to know what sort of things I NEED to bring with me for myself and bubs and what they supply, in terms of things like gowns for me to wear, food and snacks, diapers and wipes, gowns and blankets for baby... Things like that?

Also if anyone has birthed or transfered there - what are your experiences?? Any good/bad things you'd like to share??

Hi ladies!

I just had my wee girl there 7 weeks ago... It was brilliant! The birthing suite was fantastic, lights down low, very calm and had all my support people there with me. I gave birth not long before midnight and they were never made to feel like they had to leave. They stayed till about 2.30am and then I was tucked up in bed with bubs. The midwives were fantastic - I wanted to be left to my own devices, I didn't really want or need any help as such, apart from a few pointers for breastfeeding and they completely respected that. But they are also there whenever you need them and it was so nice when they would pop in in the middle of the night while I was feeding bubs for a wee chat. I only stayed for just over a day but didn't at all feel like I had to leave. We all loved the fact that they are very family-orientated and visitors were more than welcome.

Now to what you need...

Nappies, wipes (cloth) are provided. I took my own maternity pads so am not sure whether they are provided. I think they are but might have to check with your midwife. I used my own clothes to birth in and postnatal. I wondered what I would birth in but to tell you the truth at the time I really didn't care! Just a nightie and once I got in the pool I was just in a singlet till bubs was born, then I went starkers! But as I say by then I didn't care!

Blankets for bubs are provided but you'll have to provide their clothes. I just took nighties and woollen bodysuits, socks and woollen hats. One tip which I read on here I think, is to take atleast 2 hats as once bubs is born they like to put a hat on straight away and it can get a bit dirty.

Anyway... if you have anymore questions please feel free to ask me. And once again I highly recommend Burwood! My experience there was awesome :)

Good luck!

ETA - they have a kitchen where there is bread and spreads, little cheese, yoghurts etc, but I also took my own food (fruit, biscuits and such) Hot drinks avaliable obviously too )

Edited by anna_bana

Hi I didn't birth there, had planned to but Spencer decided to enter the world arse first instead, but I did transfer there. You will need your own baby clothes, they provide nappies, wipes, blankets, towels and flannels etc. For yourself I would take some warm pj's but you won't need a dressing gown or slippers as they keep the place quite warm. They have quite a bit of food but if you are a bit of a fuss pot with what you like to eat it wouldn't hurt to take your own as well. I took muesli bars and my friend bought me in some muffins and DH kept me in a constant supply of fruit. Although I think they actually did have a fruit bowl you could help yourself from.

I had a really lovely stay there, they had plenty of time to sit with me and help with feeding and quite often at night they would notice me up and just pop in to keep me company whilst feeding or offer to make me a milo.

I haven't actually heard about anyone having a bad experience there.