Rangiora Hospital Birthing Unit Open Day
Expectant mothers and fathers will have an opportunity to look around the facilities at Rangiora Hospital’s Birthing
Unit at an open day being held next week.
New parents and parents-to-be are invited to an afternoon tea at the Hospital’s Birthing Unit on Friday 5 December to
celebrate all the babies born there over the past year. Invitations have also gone to the College of Midwives,
Christchurch Polytechnic Midwifery students and Christchurch Women’s Hospital staff.
Visitors will be able to find out more about the birthing unit’s antenatal, birthing and postnatal services which
include pregnancy and breastfeeding classes; a hyperemesis service for women with severe morning sickness; a seven-bed
unit for women’s postnatal care and a four-strong community midwifery team that provides care for women across North
Canterbury
Primary birthing units offer a comfortable, low key setting for antenatal, birthing and postnatal care for women and
their families in their community, says Directory of Midwifery at Christchurch Women’s Hospital, Samantha Burke.
Staffed by experienced midwives, they provide high quality care in partnership with the Lead Maternity Carers 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, located at Rangiora, Burwood, and Lincoln hospitals, 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.
Longlasting friendships between mothers often result from a stay at Rangiora Hospital’s birthing unit, says Charge
Midwife, Suzanne Salton.
“You’re likely to meet other women in the corridor because you have to walk to the bathroom. And there is a shared
dining room that can be really positive for women.” Another advantage is plenty of one to one care.
“Women really get to know the staff here. And being a country hospital it has a relaxed atmosphere. Women are able to
take their visitors outside to enjoy the beautiful gardens.”
ENDS