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Home / Bay of Plenty Times

More choice at birthing centre

By Sandra Conchie
Bay of Plenty Times·
25 Aug, 2013 08:32 PM3 mins to read

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Michelle Whittaker and her son Cooper who is rapt about the new Bethlehem birthing centre Photo / Andrew Warner

Michelle Whittaker and her son Cooper who is rapt about the new Bethlehem birthing centre Photo / Andrew Warner

LOCAL women and community leaders were today welcoming the news that a $5 million, privately operated birthing centre is set to be built on their doorstep.

Construction of the 12-room Bethlehem Birthing Centre, the brainchild of Tauranga business-woman Chloe Wright, who owns childcare chain Kidicorp with husband, Wayne, is set to start next month and is to open in September 2014.

First-time mum Michelle Whittaker, 25, who gave birth to son Cooper on November 19, 2012, said it was great news.

"Giving birth is supposed to be a natural experience, and giving birth in hospital just doesn't feel natural, it feels a bit too clinical," she said

"I was in hospital for four days after Cooper was born and could have stayed longer but I didn't like the feeling of being locked up, and didn't like the fact that my husband wasn't allowed to stay with me at night."

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Friend Monique Benjaminsen, 23, who gave birth to Olivia, 8 months, in Tauranga Hospital before being transferred to a special care unit, said she was "stoked".

"It's awesome news. Next time I would most definitely use the birthing centre because of the level of care they offer. I'm sure it would be a far less stressful place to give birth," she said.

Trudy Hart, spokeswoman for Birth Connection BOP, said it was "long overdue" good news, having first lobbied for a centre 25 years ago after having her first baby, and not long after the Te Puke Maternity Ward annex was closed.

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"I couldn't be happier. Research shows that births in community birthing centres result in far fewer infections and fewer interventions, and mothers also report having a far more satisfactory birthing experience," she said.

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges said: "I think it's brilliant. I think a lot of people from outside Tauranga think we are a city of only retirees, but there has been a huge influx of young people moving here in recent years. I have had lots of people in the past two to three years talking to me about the need for such a centre, including my wife Natalie."

Mayor Stuart Crosby said any significant investment in the city such as this was great news and was a sign of confidence in the economic future of Tauranga. "It will not only provide jobs but more importantly offers [mums] more choice where they give birth."

The Bay of Plenty DHB would provide some funding toward the centre.

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