I am a midwife of 30 years, I have had the privilege of being at births in a variety of birth spaces, initially all in the hospital until 2001 when I became a Lead Maternity Caregiver and started attending homebirths, this undoubtedly changed my point of view on birth.
I saw how the home environment supports a physiological flowing birth with less complications. I saw how the women were more comfortable and more able to relax. Not every woman wants to birth at home. For some women going to a special place separate from home, but with a homelike environment is more conducive for them to relax.
Te Awakairangi provides a new choice that was very much lacking in the Hutt region. Initially it was underutilised because the DHB didn’t support it and a lot of the community presumed it must cost them something.
I have cared for women from all demographics of age, ethnicity and socioeconomic backgrounds and they have all shared a love of what Te Awakairangi has offered them.
They love the birthing space with their own luxurious room with ensuite bathroom with a big birthing bath, dimmed lighting, quietness, and a big double bed. This home-like but better than home and birth-perfect environment fosters feelings of comfort and calm for the birthing woman, and as the research shows increases her chance of an empowering and safe birth.
But that’s not all…after the birth, partner or support person can stay, there is ample breastfeeding and new parenting support, nutritious food, and a calm nurturing environment to be enjoyed for 48 hours before discharge to home. Without a doubt I saw more women have empowering well supported births, lots of waterbirth, woman leading their care and lots more success at breastfeeding than when women are in the clinical non-homelike environment of the hospital.
I saw how the home environment supports a physiological flowing birth with less complications. I saw how the women were more comfortable and more able to relax. Not every woman wants to birth at home. For some women going to a special place separate from home, but with a homelike environment is more conducive for them to relax.
Te Awakairangi provides a new choice that was very much lacking in the Hutt region. Initially it was underutilised because the DHB didn’t support it and a lot of the community presumed it must cost them something.
I have cared for women from all demographics of age, ethnicity and socioeconomic backgrounds and they have all shared a love of what Te Awakairangi has offered them.
They love the birthing space with their own luxurious room with ensuite bathroom with a big birthing bath, dimmed lighting, quietness, and a big double bed. This home-like but better than home and birth-perfect environment fosters feelings of comfort and calm for the birthing woman, and as the research shows increases her chance of an empowering and safe birth.
But that’s not all…after the birth, partner or support person can stay, there is ample breastfeeding and new parenting support, nutritious food, and a calm nurturing environment to be enjoyed for 48 hours before discharge to home. Without a doubt I saw more women have empowering well supported births, lots of waterbirth, woman leading their care and lots more success at breastfeeding than when women are in the clinical non-homelike environment of the hospital.
