Kaikoura Community Maternity Unit

Kaikōura Health (Te Hā o Te Ora) is located approximately two hours’ drive North of Christchurch and provides primary birthing care and postnatal maternity services. In collaboration with your Lead Maternity Carer, Kaikōura Maternity Unit can offer you 24 hour, safe, flexible and supportive midwifery/nursing care during, and / or after, the birth of your baby.

Pregnancy and birth are normal physiological processes for the majority of women. If you have no complications detected, the option of birthing at a primary unit should be offered and encouraged. By choosing to birth at a primary facility, you are more likely to have a normal birth and less likely to need interventions. Most women who choose to birth at Kaikōura do so, but occasionally a transfer to tertiary services at Christchurch Women's Hospital is necessary. Kaikōura Maternity Unit is fully equipped for childbirth, and the staff are regularly trained to deal with emergencies.

The hospital is located within rural community hospital where not only full midwifery care is offered by an LMC, but where a local team of GPs and nurses provides skill and expertise in both obstetrics and paediatrics to provide support and assistance.

Primary Birthing Units provide a relaxed homelike environment enabling uninterrupted birth and adjustment to parenthood, with time to support you during breastfeeding. This may include an extended stay to establish breastfeeding if you live remotely.

If you birth at Christchurch Women's Hospital, you can be transferred to Kaikōura for your postnatal care, either directly from the Birthing Suite, or from the Maternity Ward.

Features and highlights

• One room for labour and birth
• Birthing pool
• One postnatal room
• Free Parking

Communication

• Wi-Fi Internet
• Mobile phones are permitted.
• Patient telephone is available 03 319 777
• TV is available

Catering

• The kitchen provides for dietary requirements where possible.
• Morning and afternoon tea, and supper is provided for mothers.
• Tea, coffee, milo, toast and plain biscuits are provided for snacks.

Please note: there is no on-site café.