Maternity Services - Labour & Birth 

Admission to the Birthing Suite

The Birthing Suite is on the Third Floor of Christchurch Women's Hospital. Ask the receptionist at the Main Reception located on the Ground Floor for directions. 

Make sure you know where you are to meet your Lead Maternity Carer.

After hours (i.e. from 8.30pm - 6.30am) access cards are required to move between the floors of the hospital. If you are visiting the hospital within this period, go to the Main Reception on the Ground floor where a Security Officer will give you access to your required floor via the lifts. 

If you arrive at the Lower Ground Floor entrance after hours please use the phone to contact Main Reception. 

It is a good idea prior to the big day to take a drive to the hospital, familiarise yourself with the parking facilities as these are very limited, the location of the Birthing Unit, and have a talk to the staff while you are there.

If you think you may be in early labour and you have a Community/Team Care Midwife, please phone 364 - 4699 to leave your number. Your contact midwife will ring you back.

Sometimes in early labour women prefer to remain at home until labour is established. Women are advised to do this in consultation with their lead maternity carer (this may be a Christchurch Women's Midwife, an Independent Midwife, Family Doctor or an Obstetrician).

Delivery unit midwives are available 24 hours a day to talk to you if:

• You think you may be starting in labour your membranes rupture (waters break) you have any bleeding
• You are in any way concerned about your baby's movements
• You are in any way concerned about your pregnancy
• You are in any way concerned about when you should come into the Birthing Unit

TELEPHONE THE BIRTHING SUITE (03) 364 4714

THIS NUMBER IS A DIRECT LINE - IT IS FOR YOUR USE

All other inquiries please phone (03) 364 4699

During Birth

You may choose to have whomever you wish present during your labour and birth. The only exception is in the event of a caesarean birth where, depending on the circumstances, you may or may not be able to have your partner/support person present. This will be fully explained to you at the time.

If there is a chance you will need a caesarean birth, due to your history, please talk over your options with your lead maternity carer prior to birth.

If the clinical condition of you and your baby are satisfactory, several postnatal care options are available to you, These include going home with support from your LMC, or staying with a Maternity provider like Lincoln Hospital, Rangiora Hospital or Burwood Birthing Unit.

Women's & Children's Health in conjunction with your LMC will provide you and your baby with quality 24 hour care.