Giving Birth in NZ
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
Forum Description: Want help? Need support? Want tips? Men and women share advice and tips in this supportive community
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=41108
Printed Date: 18 August 2025 at 3:23pm
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Topic: Giving Birth in NZ
Posted By: MaisonLuxe
Subject: Giving Birth in NZ
Date Posted: 02 December 2011 at 5:19pm
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Hi All, I am due to have my 3rd baby in January and have been getting really anxious about the birth. My first two babies were born in Australia where we don't have the Midwife system that's available here.
Consequently, you end up with shared care between your GP and the hospital for major appointments (maybe 3 throughout the pregnancy). When you go into labour, you go to hospital and it's pot luck as to who you end up with as a midwife. I had never seen the midwives who delivered my first two boys prior to getting into hospital. With the first, I was induced and told that it would be a while, my husband was sent home and I stayed on the ward. At 2.30am contractions started and they wheeled me round to a delivery room and closed the door. The pain was not great, being left alone was not great and having a cranky mid wife come in to tell me off for making too much noise was also not great. They wouldn't get my husband in, nobody stayed with me, it was HORRIBLE  At 6am they did a change of shift, a much nicer nurse came in and it was all systems go, baby was born at 7am.
The second was born with labour lasting a total of 4 hours; we basically just got to the hospital in time for the birth, but once again no midwife there for the duration as they need to manage the whole labour ward- they pop in and out to monitor and then stay for the delivery before sending you off to your room and you never see them again. It's so much better here! But I am still really anxious after bad experiences... I just want the next 5 1/2 weeks to hurry up!! Maybe someone has a great story and can reassure me?  ------------- Karen http://www.maisonluxuryhome.co.nz - Maison Luxury Home and Lifestyle Exclusive stockists of Linea Bimbi Baby Care in NZ 
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Replies:
Posted By: sarahm
Date Posted: 02 December 2011 at 5:32pm
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Didnt want to read and run but I gave birth at a birthing centre so no experience of hospitals sorry! But both my partner and midwife didnt leave my side the whole time (other than when she went to get me a hot water bottle and ice)
Hope you have a fantastic support filled labour this time ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com">  
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Posted By: MaisonLuxe
Date Posted: 02 December 2011 at 5:48pm
Thanks Sarahm  for your thoughts- my midwife keeps reassuring me it will be ok and no one will leave me to battle it out on my own this time.....still scared though!------------- Karen http://www.maisonluxuryhome.co.nz - Maison Luxury Home and Lifestyle Exclusive stockists of Linea Bimbi Baby Care in NZ
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Posted By: SethsMama
Date Posted: 02 December 2011 at 5:57pm
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I love how NZ seems to embrace Mum's getting the birth they want.
I changed my mind about things during labour and was never made to feel like a failure or an annoyance. All I got was support the whole time and the only time they told me to be quiet was when they needed me to push and not yell :) ------------- 
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Posted By: MrsEmma
Date Posted: 02 December 2011 at 7:40pm
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I have had two hospital births and while my sons birth was not the best experience (due to him going into distress etc I won't go into detail) the hospital staff were simply amazing and I could not have asked for better care.
I changed MW's with DD and the whole pregnancy, labour and birth was fantastic - I got my VBAC with full support of my MW and the hospital staff and MW's on the maternity ward were all lovely. All the very, very best - I hope the weeks fly past and you get the care you deserve this time!  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Tyrbear
Date Posted: 02 December 2011 at 8:43pm
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I had an OB with DS (and again this time) so when you go to the hospital they assigned me a midwife who never left the room. In saying that I had a short labour so not sure what would have happened if I didn't. But my OB came quickly and checked on me every 10 minutes. ( she had 3 other patients go into labour the same day!)
I hope your nz birth goes well and all the best ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: MaisonLuxe
Date Posted: 03 December 2011 at 11:14am
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I hope all Kiwi women realise how lucky they are in comparison to other countries! My MW has been great so far, wish I could shake the anxiety.
Thanks for the kind wishes xxx ------------- Karen http://www.maisonluxuryhome.co.nz - Maison Luxury Home and Lifestyle Exclusive stockists of Linea Bimbi Baby Care in NZ
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Posted By: Shelt
Date Posted: 03 December 2011 at 8:44pm
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I didn't have the greatest labour (for a variety of reasons, was prem and baby got stuck etc) but I did have a brilliant midwife and the hospital midwife was also amazing. I was at the hospital prior to going into labour, in the antenatal ward as my waters broke 33+5. As soon as they realised I was in labour the hospital midwife did not leave my side (she was lovely) and phoned my midwife to come in. I also had my 2 sisters, my mum and my husband there and they were all made to feel very welcome. It was a bit crowded in my room during the pushing stage as my mum, sisters, husband, midwife, the hospital midwife, the paeds x 2 (as baby was prem), and a paed nurse were there but everyone was lovely and I felt like they were all there to care for me and the baby.
I hope things go well for you this time. Good luck. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: CrazyCass
Date Posted: 03 December 2011 at 10:37pm
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A little off topic as I gave birth at home...
But the I called the MW at 3.30pm when my waters broke, she ended coming out home to check and make sure I was ok at 7pm... She said to call if I was worried or the contractions were getting pretty bad. We rang her at 10pm, she listend to a contraction on the phone, then said she'd shower & come round. She arrived at 11pm, and honestly made me feel so calm it was great. Because we had Lucan at home my second MW was called at 1am (they have to have 2 MWs present at a home birth) - they were both right next to me the whole way through. Bubs head got stuck coming out so they 'bullied' me into doing more pushing (which they both apologised for!)... but honestly other than the fact that DH was my supporting rock - they were AMAZING. As long as you have a good relationship with your MW you will be fine, EVERYONE I know has had their MW right by their side from the moment they have asked them to be there (within reason - they wont hang round at 3am just because your waters have broken  ) and they follow your requests and make sure you are as comfortable as you can be.
To the point mine helped me out of my shower afterwards, put my undies on, then while I was feeding Lucan she fed me dinner!  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: MaisonLuxe
Date Posted: 04 December 2011 at 11:00am
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It sounds like it's the MW system here that really makes the difference. I actually had a MW appointment yesterday and am relieved that she understands my anxiety. She told me to get Rescue Remedy (which I did) and also said, "it's OK, I am listening to you" which is perhaps the best thing she could have said! ------------- Karen http://www.maisonluxuryhome.co.nz - Maison Luxury Home and Lifestyle Exclusive stockists of Linea Bimbi Baby Care in NZ
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Posted By: Lucky apple
Date Posted: 04 December 2011 at 7:34pm
| Mine never left my side from the time I got to hospital - and had visited me at home before we went in too. You'll have a very different experience this time. GOOD LUCK! |
Posted By: RBsMama
Date Posted: 06 December 2011 at 3:02pm
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I had the same MW for both of my children and I loved her. I birthed both my babies at Christhchurch Womens and the staff I did interact with, were friendly and professional. I went to St Georges for afterbirth care with number 1 and straight home with number 2.
I had my DH and MW with both my births, a lovely modern bright room and when my MW went for her breaks, I had a hospital mw take care of me. I was never left without support. Best of luck this time. I hope you get the birth you deserve  ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: MaisonLuxe
Date Posted: 06 December 2011 at 3:21pm
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Thanks for your comments everyone! With that and the Rescue Remedy, I am definitely feeling somewhat calmer ------------- Karen http://www.maisonluxuryhome.co.nz - Maison Luxury Home and Lifestyle Exclusive stockists of Linea Bimbi Baby Care in NZ
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Posted By: Ella1
Date Posted: 11 December 2011 at 12:52pm
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As far as I know, your mw won't leave your side during labour (well, that is from the moment you are close to full dilation), even if it takes hours (about 7 in my case ). Then when the baby is about to be born, a 2nd mw is called in to help as well.
I reckon the mw system in NZ is pretty amazing. Good luck, and I hope you have a good experience this time around! |
Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 11 December 2011 at 1:20pm
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We were only at the birthing centre for a short time before bubs was born, but my MW (well, actually my backup MW) was there for most of that, she got there shortly after us so we had the staff MW - who was lovely - for a wee while. I didn't think it was usual for the MW to hand round the whole time if you were there longer, though? I know a friend's didn't, and if my labour's anything like last time I'd be completely happy for my MW not to this time.
In saying that, it's obviously a cause of anxiety for you, and one you've discussed with her - and if she assures you she'll stay with you, I'm 100% sure that she will!! -------------   
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Posted By: crafty1
Date Posted: 12 December 2011 at 9:26pm
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My midwife popped out a few times during both labours, but checked with me first, and we popped out for a walk during my second labour. Actually i quite liked being left to it, esp with my first baby. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 12 December 2011 at 10:00pm
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I know what you mean, crafty1. With Jacob, DH didn't know I was in labour when he went to bed (I didn't want to get his hopes up in case it all stopped), and I didn't wake him till 4.30ish, I think - it suited me in the early stages just to just do it myself.
On the other hand, I can only imagine how scary it would be to be in a strange place wanting your DH - or SOMEONE - there and not having it No wonder you didn't enjoy the experience MaisonLuxe.-------------
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Posted By: islandgirl
Date Posted: 13 December 2011 at 9:05pm
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I had a hospital - induction, emergency-CX - not what I had hoped but I couldn't rate my MW highly enough. They kept in close contact, really really fantastic. I also had a couple nurses or was it MW (bit drugged up!) check on me too when my MW had to have dinner. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: yecats
Date Posted: 30 December 2011 at 8:31pm
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My midwife was great. Unfortunately I had to be induced and the hospital managed most of it and my midwife came back when it was established and as far as I remember never left my side. She did pop in and see me both days though before she was called back for the labour - she had other births happening. I found the hospital midwives a bit hit and miss, some were lovely, some just rubbed me the wrong way. They were all great when my son got into distress, and he safely arrived by emergency C-section. I credit my midwife and the senior staff making the decisions when they had to, to ensure he got here ok. My midwife was very good about listening to me too when I said I did not want to labour on my back and could I be on my hands and knees, I think being on my back was putting more pressure on him, and this seemed to show in the monitoring they were doing of his heartbeat.
Ok so my story isn't perfect, but the point of it is, if you trust your midwife that is really important and they are there to be your advocate. They should be honest with you when intevention needs to be done, other than that they should go along with what works for you. By the way Rescue Remedy is great stuff, use it for all types of stressful situations, funerals, speeches etc Hope it all goes well for you. |
Posted By: BikeBaby
Date Posted: 13 January 2012 at 10:12pm
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Oh have you had bubs yet? I'm sure if you have it went well. If you still need some support I am happy to tell you my midwife was AMAZING at the birth and that I could not fault the hospital staff. The whole experience was great and I hate hospitals lol. Best of luck if bubs not arrived yet, you will be in safe hands! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Kate08
Date Posted: 01 February 2012 at 10:27pm
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I love my midwife!
First labour started in the birthing centre and ended up in hospital. The operating theatre staff took over, but the midwife stayed with us [my husband really appreciated this]. The second birth was in hospital as I didn't want another tranfer by ambulance! I had my midwife with me through that also, and no one else other than a student midwife came into the room. If she'd been in another labour, I'd have been with another of the midwives on her team. I'd met all of them so was happy with that scenario, but lucky for me I had my midwife for both 
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