Rangiora Hospital 100 Babies Born Last Year

Rangiora Hospital is continuing to attract women looking for a low key setting to give birth.

On 31 December last year the 100^th baby for 2008 was born at Rangiora Hospital - the first year since 1997 that 100 babies have been born there.

Julie Hussey gave birth to a healthy baby boy called Joseph supported by partner John and midwife Lynda Dalton. To acknowledge this the Friends of Rangiora Hospital have presented Julie with gift vouchers, knitting and a hospital cookbook.

Rangiora Hospital charge midwife Suzanne Salton says the high number of births shows women who have normal pregnancies and the midwives caring for them have the confidence to birth in primary units.

Many Lead Maternity Carers are now opting to see their women for antenatal visits at Rangiora Hospital so these women feel confident with the facility and get to know the staff prior to having their baby. They also get excellent breastfeeding advice and support.

Midwife Marja McCarthy was involved in 25 births at Rangiora Hospital last year – the most of any midwife. She says she is “very proud” of her achievement and hopes to increase the number next year, although several colleagues were hoping to beat her record.

Christchurch Women’s Hospital Director of Midwifery Samantha Burke says primary birthing units offer a comfortable, low key setting for antenatal, birthing and postnatal care for women and their families in their community. Staffed by experienced midwives, they provide high quality care in partnership with the LMCs who use the facilities. Midwives are committed to normal birthing and the primary units promote an environment for this - which in turn has a positive impact on reducing intervention rates.

Birthing units offer a peaceful environment with homely facilities such as home cooked meals and lounge rooms

“These provide a perfect setting for new parents to get to know their new babies.  And because of the unit’s location travel to the city is reduced and parking is not an issue,” she says.