Birthing in a 'home away from home'

Whaanau, your local birthing facility and your midwife can provide advice which can help you make the right decision for you.

Today we look at our Primary Birthing Units and why women choose to birth close to home.

“We have three primary birthing units in Counties Manukau that are funded by Te Whatu Ora, Health New Zealand. They’re in Pukekohe, Papakura and Botany Downs,” says Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau Maternity Service Development Manager, Amanda Hinks.

“Anyone who has a pregnancy without medical complexity can birth at a primary birthing unit.”

“You don't even need to have your own midwife with you. The units are staffed by midwives so, if your midwife is not on call, or not available to look after you while you’re in labour for any reason, you can still go to the unit, be assessed and supported, and birth at the unit closest to you.

There are many benefits to birthing in a primary birthing unit.

“The units provide a comfortable and calm environment to establish labour and offer a holistic approach with more one-to-one support through those early stages. Partners can stay, and there is free parking. All three birthing units have birthing pools, which are not available at Middlemore Hospital,” says Amanda.

“Each unit has their own cook too, which is really appreciated by the women who birth here. Most importantly, the birthing unit setting is a lot more relaxed than a traditional hospital as it does not have to manage the numbers of people a large hospital like Middlemore would.

“Some pregnant people will need to go through to Middlemore Hospital, as there may be a medical reason that's affected their pregnancy, and Middlemore will absolutely provide them with that layer of support.

“However, if a woman has a pregnancy without medical complications, and chooses to, then birthing in one of our units is like being in a home away from home.”

After previously working for Counties Manukau in 2018 as the Mental Health First Aid Programme Coordinator, she was happy to return in 2021 to the feeling of ‘being part of a big whaanau.’

“I was so excited to start this role. I have always had an interest in health and wellbeing but just haven’t been in a position to pursue a career in medicine.

“I have managed to satisfy my passion for health and wellbeing through my roles here and also my research.”

Ann-Marie held a Research Project Manager/ Data Manager role at the University of Auckland, researching the health of older people living in retirement villages within specific areas. The project currently has nine research papers published.

She also studied Psychology with her postgraduate study focused on the mental and physical health status and outcomes for Maaori.

She received a Te Rau Puawai scholarship, with Massey University, and graduates in May this year with a Post Graduate Diploma in Art Psychology.

“I’m from Whakatane originally, and I whakapapa back to Ngāi Tūhoe and Ngāti Awa, so improving mental health outcomes for Maaori is something that is important for me, especially for involving whaanau in tangata whaiora care, care planning and support.