Midwifery teams
We are excited to be able to announce that we now have two teams of midwives especially employed to provide quality natural birthing options for those women choosing to birth at Birthcare. Our midwives provide continuity from the beginning of pregnancy until care is completed around 6 weeks after your birth. This care is provided free to all New Zealand residents and those with a 2 year work visa who wish to experience a birth at a primary birthing unit, especially committed to the belief that birth is a normal, natural event and a very special one.
About the teams
Our Birthcare teams consists of experienced midwives, all of whom bring a mix of differing and complimentary skills to enhance the care we provide for you.
As a team they offer continuity of care throughout your pregnancy and birth as well as postnatally. A member of the team is available at all times for emergencies to discuss clinical issues. They have antenatal clinics run from Birthcare and free antenatal education is also available.
Here at Birthcare we believe that pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period are normal but special events. Every woman and each of her birth experiences are unique. We encourage women and their family/whanau to make informed choices about the birthing experiences that are right for them.
Our focus is on providing gentle birthing at Birthcare but we transfer to Auckland Hospital if there is a need. We work alongside obstetricians and other services as needed. For further information or to talk to our team coordinator, please call 374 0800 or you can email midwives@birthcare.co.nz .
Midwife Profiles
Team Huia
Janet AhMu
I am the mother of 6 children and I have 11 grandchildren. I worked for many years at National Womens before becoming an independent midwife. I loved the continuity this provided along with the opportunity to care for women who chose to have their babies at Birthcare. I love the Birthcare facility and the care and suppport that Birthcare provides.
Liz Harding
I worked as a midwife for over 20 years in South Africa where I attended over 65% home births. I relocated to New Zealand with my husband and our teenage children and have worked at Birthcare since 2003. I am enjoying working in Auckland and am thrilled to be part of the team. I look forward to working with women throughout their pregnancy, birth and postnatal period.
Abby Clark
I am thrilled to be part of the Birthcare team. I have been working as a midwife in a variety of capacities at Middlemore and Auckland hospitals for the last five years. I am thoroughly looking forward to working with low risk women who also believe that pregnancy and birth are not illnesses but incredible life events. I believe in working together with you and your families to achieve fantastic outcomes in our beautiful birthing facilities and beyond...congratulations!
Team Tui
Megan Sneddon
I have been an independent midwife in Auckland all this century! I joined the Birthcare team so that I can give more women the option of labouring and birthing at Birthcare. I am married to Paul and have two boys, one teenage and one toddler who was born in the pool at Birthcare!
Cherry Probert-Pascoe
I have worked as an independent midwife and am now at Auckland Hospital. I am looking forward to joining the team next year and continuing to look after Auckland women and their families.
How the midwife team works
Birthcare has six midwives providing continuity of care. They work in two teams with three midwives in each team.
Over the course of your pregnancy you will meet the three midwives in your team. In each given week, one midwife is on call for births and any concerns. She will carry a designated on call phone, so you can be rest assured that one of the midwives on your team is available 24/7. The second midwife will be doing the antenatal visits and the third midwife is following up with postnatal visiting and providing backup for the on call midwife. As you get closer to your due date you wil be advised who is on call for the weeks ahead.
Antenatal appointments are around every 4-5 weeks until 28 - 30 weeks, 2-3 weekly until 36-38 weeks and then weekly until the birth of your baby.
Postnatally you will be seen around 7-9 times in the 5-6 weeks after birth.
Blood tests are ordered at the booking visit if not already done prior. Further routine blood tests are around 28 weeks and 36 weeks.
Scans are usually around 12-14 weeks and again at 18-20 weeks. Some radiology groups may charge a fee for scans.
The appointment times, blood tests and scans are a guide only and more may be necessary depending on each individual situation.
Booking with Birthcare Midwives is with the intention to birth at our facility. However, if problems arise either in pregnancy or labour, consultation and transfer, if required is easily arranged and we continue your care in conjunction with specialists and midwives at Auckland City Hospital. Birthcare has a range of analgesia options including gas and pethidine. Primary facilities have no provision for epidural anaesthesia.
