The Bethlehem Birthing Centre. PHOTO/JOHN BORREN
A long-awaited primary birthing facility offering another option to birthing women in Tauranga has today opened its doors for the first time.
Bethlehem Birthing Centre is for women having natural, non-complicated births. It is free for all expectant women eligible for publicly-funded maternity services in New Zealand to give birth and stay three nights post-natally at the centre. Private options are also available.
The privately-owned facility is a new concept in Tauranga, and has the support of Tauranga Hospital and Bay of Plenty District Health Board.
The purpose-built 12-room birthing centre was officially opened by Prime Minister John Key last month, and is open for births from today.
For co-founders Nicky Campbell and Chloe Wright, today's opening is the fulfilment of a vision to provide a primary birthing facility in Tauranga for women who want to give birth naturally, and learn about caring for their baby in a safe, comfortable and supportive setting.
Both were thrilled that the centre is able to offer another choice for Tauranga women wanting to have a natural birth with the support of their lead maternity carer (LMC).
"We want to provide a safe and beautiful non-clinical setting for women having a natural birth, in a nurturing environment," Ms Campbell said.
"It is important to us that the centre is publicly funded, so all women in our community can have the opportunity to use the facility.
"The centre will be a sanctuary for new mums and their families, where mums and their babies will have the best chance to bond and achieve a positive start in life together."
Mrs Wright and Ms Campbell say today's opening arose from a vision to work in partnership with birthing mothers, their partners and families, to help create an informed, active and natural birthing experience.
"We are committed to giving our best care to all mothers and babies, and the centre will be run according to our values of commitment, respect, enthusiasm, diversity, integrity and trust," Mrs Wright says.
"Every mother will be treated with respect and the birthing centre will be a place of integrity and trust to promote honest open communication and actions. The birthing centre is for all expectant women."
Every mother at the centre will have her own room, in which she will give birth and also receive post-natal care, staying up to three nights after the birth. Fathers can also be comfortably accommodated on the first night after birth. Each room includes an ensuite, queen bed, bath that can be used as a birthing pool, and flat screen TV.
As a primary care facility, no specialists, obstetricians or GPs are on site, but women in labour and their midwives are supported by registered health professionals, who are on-duty at the birthing centre 24 hours, seven days a week. A registered midwife is always on call. More staff will be available if required. All staff are experienced and undergo extensive training, and safety is of top priority.
Women who give birth in Tauranga Hospital can go to Bethlehem Birthing Centre for their post-natal care when space allows. Post-natal care is funded by the Ministry of Health through the Bay of Plenty District Health Board.
Comprehensive post-natal care includes assistance with traditional mothercraft skills such as breastfeeding, bathing and wrapping a baby.
New mothers will be able to watch on-demand educational videos in their own rooms about topics such as breastfeeding. Post-natal support will also include opportunities to participate in yoga and Pilates classes, and learn about the importance of exercise and a healthy diet.
"We aim to help make new mums feel confident and informed, so that when they leave the centre, they're ready to start their journey with their baby in their own home," Ms Campbell said.
Women wanting to book into the centre to give birth must choose a midwife who has signed an access agreement to use the facilities, and shares the centre's vision and values. The midwife will make the necessary arrangements to book in for the birth.
Bethlehem Birthing Centre occupies the upper level and part of the ground floor of a new building on the corner of State Highway 2 and Te Paeroa Rd.