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 Published: 08/04/2009		  


WHAT NATIONAL WOMEN's CAN OFFER AS YOUR LEAD MATERNITY CARER  ( LMC ) 

Having a baby?

Table of Contents

Looking for a Lead Maternity Carer (LMC)?

Go back to Table of ContentsWhat National Women's can offer you

Having a baby? We wish you well in your pregnancy and the birth of your baby or babies.

Pregnancy is a time for considering a range of options and making choices. All pregnant women are expected to choose a Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) to co-ordinate their care during pregnancy, birth and after the baby is born. The LMC you choose may provide all your maternity care, or may share your care with one, or more other practitioners.

At  National Women's we recognise our partnership with Maori in developing services which sensitively and effectively meet the needs of Maori women. We also have a commitment to providing a quality service for the many different cultural groupings represented by women using the National Women's maternity service.

National Women's staff are available to support and assist women and to answer any questions.

Go back to Table of Contents Maternity Care at National Women's

If you choose a National Women's midwife as your lead maternity carer (LMC) we can offer you a comprehensive range of quality services and expertise based on choice, consistency and continuity.

We strive to provide personalised maternity care in a way that will suit you. The options range from midwifery only care, to the full support of a specialist obstetric team.

Go back to Table of ContentsMaternity Walk-In Centre

No appointment necessary. Monday and Friday 8.30am- 4.00pm

                                    Tues, Wed, Thursday 9.30 - 2.00

Auckland callers 623-6455  or freephone 0800 424-784

Phone or drop in for free midwifery advice and information.

Go back to Table of ContentsAt National Women's our experienced staff have a range of skills and expertise

  • Midwives: provide care during pregnancy, labour, birth and after the baby is born.

  • Obstetricians: doctors who can provide care during pregnancy and birth but who specialise in the care of women whose pregnancy, labour or birth becomes complicated.

  • Paediatricians: doctors who specialise in the care of babies particularly those who are unwell or have special needs.

  • Physicians: doctors who specialise in medical complications during pregnancy, birth and postnatally.

  • Anaesthetists: doctors who give anaesthetics including epidurals for childbirth.

  • Registrars: doctors training to be obstetricians, paediatricians or anaesthetists under supervision from a specialist.

  • House Officers: doctors gaining experience in maternity care or paediatrics under specialist supervision

  • Nurses: work with midwives in some areas of the maternity service to provide care to women and babies.

  • Neonatal Nurses and neonatal nurse practitioners: look after newborn babies requiring specialist care.

  • Social Workers: provide couselling and assistance for individuals, couples and families

  • Physiotherapists: provide information on preparation for birth, postnatal exercises and training for those wishing to use a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machine for pain relief during labour.

  • Lactation Consultants: provide education and support for staff who assist women with  breastfeeding, they also help mothers an babies when there are feeding difficulties. for example a premature or unwell baby

Go back to Table of ContentsNational Women's Midwifery Services
 The following midwifery services are available to women who choose a National Women's midwife as their LMC. Please note some of these options may be available only to women who live in the National Women's geographical boundary. In some instances where closer monitoring is required to enhance the wellbeing of you and your baby - a different midwifery option may be recommended for your care.

Go back to Table of ContentsTeam Midwifery Care
 Team Midwives work in all areas in the hospital. If you attend the National Women's antenatal clinic or need to come into the hospital during your pregnancy for medical treatment or assessment, Team Midwives will provide your midwifery care. Team midwives will also care for you during and after the baby is born. They will visit you at home 5-6 times after you leave hospital. Medical expertise is readily available if required for either you or your baby( Delivery unit midwives will care for you during labour and birth)

Go back to Table of ContentsDomino Midwives
 Domino Midwives can provide your antenatal, labour, birth and postnatal care ( both in the hospital and when you go home). "Dominos" work in  groups of 2 midwives with a specific geographical area. Each group is linked to a hospital team so medical expertise is readily available if problems arise. If you require more specialised care, your domino midwife can continue to provide midwifery care as part of the hospital team. Pregnant women choosing this option are assigned their own domino midwife. Other group members are available as backup midwives.

Go back to Table of ContentsAdditional Midwifery Services

 

  • The Diabetes Clinic midwives provide care for women who have diabetes during pregnancy. They also provide pre-conception counselling for women with diabetes seeking pregnancy planning advice.

  • The Medical Clinic midwives specialise in antenatal care for women with complicated pregnancies.

  • The Chinese Liaison Midwife can also provide interpreting services for women who speak Mandarin, Cantonese and Taiwanese. (This services is subject to her availability).

Go back to Table of ContentsNational Women's Hospital offers the following clinical services for women requiring specialist care:

  • a pre-conception service for those seeking pregnancy planning advice.

  • initial fertility assessment through the National Women's gynaecology service.
  • assessment and support for women who have experienced a number of miscarriages.
  • Gynaecology Assessment Unit for treatment of early pregnancy problems (miscarriage, bleeding and ectopic pregnancy).
  • Women's Assessment Unit for specialised care and monitoring of your pregnancy should you need it.
  • Medical and Diabetes Clinics for women with specific medical needs or complicated pregnancies.

  • Referral to Lactation Consultants fo advice and assistance with breastfeeding problems.

  • Midwives and medical staff with particular expertise in assisting women with psychological issues and alcohol or drug dependency.

  • Teams led by experienced Obstetric and Paediatric Specialists.

  • Paediatric and Newborn Services including Special Care and Intensive Care Baby Units for premature and sick babies.

  • Maternal Mental Health Team to assist with mental health needs related to the experience of pregnancy, childbirth and parenting in the first year after giving birth.

Go back to Table of ContentsWomen using a National Women's service can also have access to:

  • Maori Health services that provide accommodation for whanau of patients from out of town who need support and care throughout their stay, as well as support for women' who are patients in the hospital.
  • Chaplains (Maori and non Maori)
  • Interpreters
  • the Chinese Liaison Midwife and Interpreter
  • The smokechange programme
  •  The Women's Health Information Unit
  • the Complaints Co-ordinator
  • the Privacy Officer
  • Physiotherapists
  • Nutrition Services and dietitians
  • Maori Health Advisor

Go back to Table of ContentsNational Women's A Centre for Excellence in Women's and Neonatal Health
 As a centre for excellence committed to the wellbeing of women and babies, National Women's is also the base for:

 
  • Antenatal Diagnostic Services, based in the Scanning Department carry out specialised ultrasound scans, amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling (CVS), cordocentesis and doppler studies for suspected or existing problems such as chromosomal abnormalities or poor foetal growth.
  • The University of Auckland's Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology coordinates teaching and training of medical students as well as doctors training in obstetrics and gynaecology.The Department also runs an active research programme investigating problems which affect mothers and babies.
  • Parentcare, a support group for families who have or have had a baby in intensive, or special care.
  • The Research Centre in Reproductive Medicine which undertakes, encourages and supports research into problems that affect women and their babies.

Go back to Table of ContentsThe University of Auckland's Department of Paediatrics 
coordinates teaching and training of medical students and also doctors training in paediatrics and in the care of the newborn. It also runs an active research programme.

Go back to Table of ContentsThe Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Service 
provides pain relief in labour with epidurals, as well as anaesthesia for caesarean sections. It also provides treatment for women requiring particular pain management expertise.

 

Additional National Women's Services

Go back to Table of Contents Staff from the Genetic Service, (based at Grafton) visit National Women's to see families requiring counselling and advice on hereditary conditions and suspected foetal abnormalities.

Go back to Table of Contents National Women's has an active security service. Security Officers are on duty 24 hours a day, and security cameras are situated both within and around the outside of the hospital.
All staff you meet will introduce themselves and be wearing an identification badge  with a photograph.
Identification bracelets are given to each woman and baby while in hospital. On these are the women's name and National Health (NHI) number. Babies have their own NHI number.

Go back to Table of Contents You can be dropped off at the hospital in labour and for a clinic appointment and not receive a parking charge. However if you are parking your car in the hospital grounds you will need to bring money with you as you will be charged for the time you stay. 

Go back to Table of ContentsHospital Fees Most maternity care provided by National Women's is free to New Zealand citizens and those with permanent residence. 

 If you are not eligible for free maternity care, contact the National Women's Revenue Department, phone 6309943 extn 3302 for details about hospital charges. A guide for charges  Non-Resident Price List is available on this website.  

There is a charge if you choose to have your care provided by a private obstetrician or private anaesthetist. You may also be charged for procedures such as an ultrasound if you choose to have one when it is not medically indicated. If you transfer to a private hospital such as Birthcare, you may be charged a fee for some facilities (eg. if you want a single room or to stay for a longer period of time).

 Go back to Table of ContentsTeaching and Research National Women's is a teaching hospital for doctors, midwives, nurses and other health professionals in training. Practical experience is important for these students and you may be asked to allow a student to assist with your care. We hope you will agree, but you have the right to say no if you are asked

A number of research studies are carried out at National Women's. Research has a key role in the development and provision of health care services. All research at National Women's has had ethical approval. Women and/or their baby may be invited to take part in a research study. Women have the right to refuse to participate or allow their baby to take part in any research study. If a woman is approached and chooses not to participate her care will not be affected neither will the care provided to her baby ( if applicable)

For quality personalised care during pregnancy, labour, birth and after your baby is born, choose National Women's as your Lead Maternity Carer (LMC).


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