Having or planning a baby

Having a baby can be a really special time in your life. If you are thinking about getting pregnant, there are a few things that you should know which you can find in our planning for pregnancy section. If you are already pregnant, have a look at our pregnancy section for helpful tips and advice.

Where to start

Pregnancy is a time to make decisions and choices. To start with, you will need to make contact with a Lead Maternity Carer (LMCs) of your own choice. LMC means a provider of primary maternity services, can be a General practitioner with diploma in obstetrics or a registered midwife, they must hold Access Agreements with the DHB. It is the decision of the LMC to either provide all your primary care or to share with other practitioners. You can find a Midwife (LMC) in your area here.

It is highly recommended that you register with an LMC within the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy. This will allow for proper care of you and your developing baby.

 

Who to approach (appointment)

To confirm your pregnancy a midwife or GP can do the appropriate tests. After the confirmation of your pregnancy, you will need to engage a LMC to provide your antenatal care and plan for your birth. Visit our Find a Midwife page to get in contact with a midwife. This information is also available from the maternity units at Tauranga and Whakatāne Hospitals and from your GP. Alternatively, you can contact Mum2be (0800 Mum2be- 0800 686 223) helpline who can help you to find a LMC.

For more information - click here.

 

BoPDHB Services

Bay of Plenty District Health Board has achieved and maintained Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) status in the Tauranga, Whakatāne and Opotiki facilities.

The BOPDHB has two secondary care maternity facilities at Whakatāne and Tauranga Hospitals, with primary birthing units at Murupara and Opotiki. Tauranga and Whakatāne Hospitals are also equipped with Level Two Neonatal Services- Special Care Baby Units.

At BoPDHB our experienced staff has a range of skills and expertise:

Anaesthetist: Specialists in providing pain relief in labour, and anaesthesia when surgical procedures are required. For more information about this service click here.

Obstetricians: specialists in the care of complications during pregnancy (antenatal period), childbirth and the postnatal period. Midwives can refer to obstetricians if the need arise.

Paediatricians: doctors specialist in the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents.

Midwives: offer care to childbearing women during pregnancy, Labour and birth, and during the postpartum (after birth) period.

Nurses: work with midwives in postnatal areas of the maternity service to provide care to women and babies. They also work in the special care baby units.

Lactation Consultants (LC's): staff qualified in all aspects of breastfeeding support and education. The LC usually sees those mothers and babies who are having particular issues with breastfeeding.  Phone support is also available for any issues or questions regarding breast feeding.