Paraparaumu Maternity Unit
The maternity unit, recently built in 2003 as part of the Kapiti Health centre, has one labour/birth room and two postnatal rooms. The unit is staffed full-time by one resident midwife, who provides birth backup for the Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) midwife, as well as in-house postnatal care.
Once established in labour at home, and with guidance from your LMC midwife, labouring women planning to give birth at the maternity unit, will make their own way to the unit accompanied by support persons. Your LMC midwife will have informed the unit staff of your impending arrival. Your LMC midwife will accompany you to (or meet you at) the maternity unit.
The location page shows how to get to the unit with the after-hours entrance highlighted. The entrance door-bell will get the door opened by the duty midwife. Although vehicle drop-off can be made at this door please move your car subsequently to the adjacent car-park in order to leave the entrance free for ambulance access.
Following the birth of their baby the mother and child will have the option of going home to care for the baby in familiar surroundings or staying on in the maternity unit (generally for up to 48 hours). For women staying on postnatally in the maternity unit your LMC midwife will visit daily during your stay.