By SCOTT MacLEOD
WHAKATANE - They arrived by the dozen, each cradling a swollen belly, each keen to check out the latest in East Coast maternity care.
Pregnant women from all over the Bay of Plenty flocked to Whakatane Hospital this week for a sneak look at the new Ko Matariki maternity unit, due to open on Monday.
Most were impressed with the soothing pink decor, homely feel and discreet facilities. Some, such as Lillian Moses, from Te Teko, were more intrigued by the spacious bath.
"I came to see what I'm in for," said the mother of two.
"I like it now, but don't ask me when I'm in labour."
The $1.9 million unit has 14 post-natal beds, three delivery rooms, four high-dependency rooms, a nursery with five incubators, ensuites, nurseries, storage, and facilities for fathers and high-dependency and premature babies as young as 32 weeks.
The old unit has 23 post-natal beds.
Clinical operations director Gay Hayes said New Zealand's slumping birth-rate - down to 1.98 per woman - and a tendency for mothers to go home earlier meant fewer beds were needed.
She said Ko Matariki was a great improvement on the old unit because it was close to radiology and theatre rooms, allowing quick access to x-ray and other services.
Another feature is strong security. Staff will be able to check after-hours visitors on a video camera before letting them in.
Gay Hayes said the bath, or "pool," would give pain relief during labour.
It was unlikely to be used for water births.
Ko Matariki will cater to 50,000 people between Cape Runaway, Murupara and Pukehina.
The name was chosen by staff and iwi, and represents six stars in the constellation Pleaides that symbolise parts of the life cycle.
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