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FAQs About Birthing at Ngā Hau Māngere
FAQs
At Nga Hau Māngere Birthing Centre our vision is to work in partnership with māmā/whānau to affect an informed, active and natural birthing experience.
An LMC (Lead Maternity Carer) is a registered midwife, general practitioner, or obstetrician who provides and organises maternity care for you and your baby throughout pregnancy, birth, and for the first 4-6 weeks after birth.
Primary birthing refers to a low-risk, uncomplicated pregnancy where birth takes place in a primary setting — such as at home or in a dedicated primary birthing unit like Ngā Hau Māngere Birthing Centre.
Birthing Centre is publicly funded, which means it is free for all women who are eligible for maternity care in New Zealand to give birth and have postnatal care. Women giving birth at a Birthing Centre are offered two nights of postnatal care.
For Women not eligible for Public Funding:
Expectant mothers not eligible for public funding can give birth at Birthing Centre for a fee. Please contact your facility for current pricing.
Our professional team will ensure your first few days as a new māmā are as stress-free as possible. This will allow you to get on with the joyful experience of bonding with your baby. During your stay with us, we request you do not leave the facility and venture out shopping or visiting. This is for your safety and the well-being of yours and others newborns.
Your LMC will discuss options with you to help you manage the contraction pain during your labour and birth. Ngā Hau Māngere Birthing Centre provides a variety of options for pain relief including sling hooks, rebozzos, swiss balls and a birthing ‘cub’ to help you manage the discomfort in labour. Large baths are in every room for relaxing in. Entonox (gas) is also available. We encourage you to bring in your own heat packs.
Your room is a peaceful safe haven for you and your baby to bond while getting to know each other without the stresses of the outside world. Our experienced staff will ensure you recover surrounded by all the support and care you and your baby require, so you can focus on enjoying these precious first days with your baby.
Each room is private with an ensuite, queen size bed and a flat screen TV. Educational videos, including Breastfeeding, CPR and Safe Sleep are available on your TV. The bath in each room can be comfortably used as a birthing pool. Doors separating the bedroom and ensuite can be opened to create a large, open-plan space. A wardrobe ensures your belongings can be stored away. A bin is provided in the bathroom area for all your rubbish and is emptied twice a day.
Yes, free Wi-Fi is available in each room. Just ask our staff for the current password.
Yes - each room is independently air conditioned with a heat pump allowing you to set the temperature of your room to meet your needs. If you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to ask a staff member.
Yes - supportive partners (or alternative support persons) who actively take part in caring for mum and bonding with baby can stay at the mother’s request. We ask that they agree to follow some simple guidelines around their stay and you both sign a ‘Stay Agreement’.
Yes - māmā at our birthing centre will be treated to nutritious meals that meet the nutritional needs of new mums. If you have a specific dietary requirement we will do our best to meet your needs. Breakfast is also provided for your support person.
Disposable nappies and sanitary pads are provided as part of your stay.
Nga Hau Māngere Birthing Centre promotes a safe smokefree environment for your baby, so we ask that no one smokes in the area immediately outside the Birthing Centre. If you or your partner do smoke, we ask that you go off the Birthing Centre grounds to do this. If you or your partner would like support to stop smoking, please ask the staff or your LMC Midwife for advice and a referral to an agency.
We’re happy to provide extra pillows, blankets, or a footstool for breastfeeding - just ask one of our staff.
Nga Hāu Māngere Birthing Centre is a sanctuary for new mothers and their babies, so we ask that noise be kept to a minimum.
Following handover from your LMC, you are welcome to stay up to 48 hours. There are two discharge times and this depends on the time your care was handed over to Nga Hau Māngere Birthing Centre staff, from your LMC.
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If handover was between midnight & midday-discharge time is by 10am
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If handover was between midday & midnight-discharge time is by 4pm
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We aim to give excellent service. In order to achieve this, we need to know if you have any compliments or suggestions. We would appreciate you completing the Online Survey that staff will provide a link to at the end of your stay. Your feedback is an important way for us to monitor and improve our services.
Yes - New Zealand law requires that all babies must be secured in an approved capsule/car seat whilst being transported. On leaving Nga Hau Māngere Birthing Centre our staff will wish to see your baby restrained appropriately in a suitable carrier. It is your responsibility to check that your chosen restraint is within date, suitable for a new born baby and fits the vehicle you are using. You should be familiar with its use.
Plunket, Baby on the Move, Baby City and Baby Factory have qualified technicians who can check that your car seat is correctly fitted and working safely. Check on the NZTA website to find your local technician.
Please be aware that any valuables that you may wish to bring into the centre are your responsibility. We do not have a safe for locking valuables away.
We ask that you do not leave your baby unattended in your room. If you must leave the room for a period of time we ask that your partner or another family member be available to be with your baby.
No sorry. The centre services are only for mums and newborn babies.
No sorry, we are not able to offer these services to families. We are happy for other siblings to visit but are unable to accommodate children staying overnight
Meals are only provided for māmā. Dads are welcome to have breakfast after their first night stay. Yoghurt and fruit is available for māmā only outside of meal times.
Please ask fathers to ensure that they wear appropriate attire at all times in the bedrooms and around the centre.
No, sorry we are an alcohol-free zone.
No, sorry we do not. You are required to bring these with you.
Privately funded stays will be invoiced with 7 day payment terms and can be paid by internet banking or credit card.