One year on - Waioha birthing unit hailed as huge success

Helen Jamieson, Kaelan Ray Jamieson (three weeks) and midwifery director Julie Arthur at the first birthday celebration of Waioha birthing unit at Hawke's Bay Hospital. Photo / Duncan Brown

A year after opening its doors the Waioha maternity unit at Hawke's Bay Hospital has proved a great success, with 578 babies born to date, a number that's expected to grow as time goes on.

Staff, mums and babies enjoyed a morning tea together yesterday to mark the anniversary of the unit, the first of its kind in New Zealand to offer a facility for normal, low-risk births, next door to the Ata Rangi specialist centre.

With its modern, attractive birthing suites, some fitted out with birthing pools, and with room for support people to stay over, expectant mums have had nothing but praise for the facility.

Helen Jamieson gave birth to her second son, Kaelan Jamieson, three-and-a-half weeks ago and said she chose Waioha because she wanted a non-intervention birth but did not want to go so far as a home birth.

Waioha provided the compromise she was looking for - a relaxing space with the peace of mind that doctors were nearby if needed.

"It's more personal than the ward and gives you time to breathe if you don't want to leave straight away."

Head midwifery director Jules Arthur said the unit had proved an outstanding success, with great feedback and more women expected to choose to give birth there in the year ahead.

"We think we can get it to 700 babies born here and that's testament to the midwives and the women making that choices that are the best for them."

She said research had shown that environment played a big part in birth outcomes, and the "home from home" atmosphere coupled with proximity to doctors was helpful in giving the women confidence to give birth as naturally as possible.

Overall 2000 babies were born at either Waioha or Ata Rangi last year, and although it was early days there had been evidence that caeserean sections had declined over that time.

"It's only the first year and it will take five years to see a trend but caesarean sections are declining.

"Some women need caesareans but we want to see normal births increase for those who can."

Breastfeeding rates were also above national benchmarks, with an expectation in primary care to have 90 per cent of new mums breastfeeding, Waioha achieving 97 per cent.

In addition, home births were on the increase.

"Hawke's Bay used to have the lowest rate in the country at 1.2 per cent but that's risen to 3.9 per cent in the last year,"

The Hawke's Bay District Health Board chief executive, Dr Kevin Snee, congratulated those involved with the unit.

"It's a great vision and achievement and has been of great benefit for Hastings."