Looking for a midwife?
We understand that during this journey, you want to find a midwife that you can truly connect with and feel comfortable with. To ensure you get the perfect match, we’d love for you to come along and meet our team of passionate midwives.
Here we can get to know each other, answer any questions you may have and enjoy a cup of coffee. You’re welcome to bring someone along with you.
How it works
- You will choose a midwife who will then work in partnership with you throughout your experience. You and your midwife will discuss your preferences and choices, develop a care plan and coordinate your maternity care for you and baby/pēpi from conception to six weeks postnatal.
- We help arrange screening and blood tests, referrals for ultrasound scans and specialist consultations if required.
- At Kāpiti Midwives we encourage your family/whānau to attend the appointments and be involved in your care.
- We encourage you to meet the other midwives in our practice as there will be times when your chosen midwife is unavailable. We take 2 weekends off call a month so there are two midwives available for you on any weekend. If you go into labour the weekend your midwife is off call then a back-up midwife will support you to give birth.
- As part of our commitment to growing the midwifery profession we have student midwives working with us throughout the year and ask that you and your whānau/family consider having them involved in your care.
- The majority of your maternity care is paid for by the New Zealand government so free for you. There are some ultrasound scans that attract a small payment, the amount of which can vary with different ultrasound practices. Should you require specialist obstetric input at any time then this is free for you.
Checkup Schedule
Antenatal
During your appointments we will discuss with you your general health and pregnancy progress; your choices and preferences with respect to place of birth, antenatal education, exercise, nutrition, smoking cessation, labour and birth support, and preparation for breastfeeding.
Screening
We offer blood testing and screening in pregnancy for some chromosomal abnormalities; and screening for gestational diabetes. Any testing is always undertaken with your consent.
Ultrasound Scans
If unsure of your due date we can offer a dating scan. We offer a nuchal translucency scan at 12-13 weeks as part of the first trimester screening. We also offer a scan at 20 weeks to assess baby’s anatomy and check the location of your placenta. If there are no complications in your pregnancy then there is usually no further need for ultrasound scanning after 20 weeks.
Specialist Care
If a complication arises in your pregnancy we will refer you to an obstetrician. These appointments may be in Wellington, or at a fortnightly clinic at the Kāpiti Health Centre. It is important that you keep all appointments made for you.
Timing of Visits
0-28 weeks
Monthly
28-36 weeks
Fortnightly
36-42 weeks
Weekly up until your birth
Postnatal Care
Following the birth of your pēpi/baby we will visit you in your home. Visits are generally frequent in the first two weeks and then weekly thereafter. We then refer your baby/pēpi to your chosen Well-Child provider (Plunket or Hora Te Pai) at around week four. You are discharged from midwifery care between four and six weeks.
Breastfeeding
We will do all we can to support you with breastfeeding your pēpi/baby. In order to give breastfeeding the best start possible please do not purchase breast pumps, bottles or dummies. These all interfere with the normal physiology of not only breastfeeding but also milk production. Only a very small percentage of women cannot breastfeed due to a physiological reason, therefore your success comes from both you and your baby with support from your midwife.
Lactation Consultant Service
A lactation consultancy service is available on request, however please note that this will incur a charge.
Timing of Visits
Week 1
Every few days
Week 2
2-3 visits as required
Week 3-6
Weekly visits or as required
Checkup Schedule
Antenatal
Timing of Visits
0-28 weeks
Monthly
28-36 weeks
Fortnightly
36-42 weeks
Weekly up until your birth
During your appointments we will discuss with you your general health and pregnancy progress; your choices and preferences with respect to place of birth, antenatal education, exercise, nutrition, smoking cessation, labour and birth support, and preparation for breastfeeding.
Screening
We offer blood testing and screening in pregnancy for some chromosomal abnormalities; and screening for gestational diabetes. Any testing is always undertaken with your consent.
Ultrasound Scans
If unsure of your due date we can offer a dating scan. We offer a nuchal translucency scan at 12-13 weeks as part of the first trimester screening. We also offer a scan at 20 weeks to assess baby’s anatomy and check the location of your placenta. If there are no complications in your pregnancy then there is usually no further need for ultrasound scanning after 20 weeks.
Specialist Care
If a complication arises in your pregnancy we will refer you to an obstetrician. These appointments may be in Wellington, or at a fortnightly clinic at the Kāpiti Health Centre. It is important that you keep all appointments made for you.
Postnatal
Timing of Visits
Week 1
Every few days
Week 2
2-3 visits as required
Week 3-6
Weekly visits or as required
Following the birth of your baby we will visit you in your home. Visits are generally frequent in the first two weeks and then weekly thereafter. We then refer your baby to your chosen Well-Child provider (Plunket or Hora Te Pai) at around week four. You are discharged from midwifery care between four and six weeks.
Breastfeeding
We will do all we can to support you with breastfeeding your baby. In order to give breastfeeding the best start possible please do not purchase breast pumps, bottles or dummies. These all interfere with the normal physiology of not only breastfeeding but also milk production. Only a very small percentage of women cannot breastfeed due to a physiological reason, therefore your success comes from both you and your baby with support from your midwife.
Lactation Consultant Service
A lactation consultancy service is available on request, however please note that this will incur a charge.