New birthing centre for Palmerston North due by middle of the year

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New birthing centre for Palmerston North due by middle of the year

A new birthing centre in Palmerston North that suffered delays last year due to construction site issues is set to open in the middle of the year.

Te Papaioea Birthing Centre, a purpose-built 12-suite primary birthing centre, was on track to be opened in July.

Construction at the Ruahine St site, near the Palmerston North Hospital, got off to a rough start last year following the discovery of asbestos during demolition of the previous building.

WorkSafe closed off the site in April, issuing a prohibition notice stopping all work.

The privately owned and operated primary birthing facility – a first for the city – is for women having non-intervention, low-risk births.

Wright said the centre would offer another choice for women wanting to have a natural birth.

"We feel extremely privileged at having the opportunity of being part of such a wonderful time in a person's life journey. We are confident the centre will make a positive difference to the Palmerston North community."

Wright said the birthing centre would give mothers in Palmerston North and Manawatu a new choice about where to give birth.

"We believe that it's important for mothers to have choices. We are aware of a great diversity of ethnicities within the Manawatu region and we are excited to learn more about the individual choices women want."

Positive Birthing midwife Cheryl Benn said it would be a good additional option for low-risk pregnant women.

"It will have huge benefits for women.

"We have a lot of women who are low risk and who might not want a birth at home but don't necessarily want a birth at a secondary care facility."

She said the centre would be a "halfway house" and a good alternative choice.

Benn said she hoped the centre would have a thorough consultation with women and midwives of the district to let them know how it would function.

Wright said they looked forward to developing relationships with local lead maternity carers and the MidCentral Health specialist women's health service.

"We are advocates for midwifery recognition and support the midwifery-led care system in New Zealand."

The centre will operate with a staff team of qualified health professionals on site at all times.

The centre had "comprehensive systems" in place to ensure mothers could be quickly transferred to the hospital opposite the centre, should unexpected birthing complications arise.

The birthing centre is not yet taking bookings, but pregnant women due after July who are interested in using the facility can speak to their carer to express their interest, Wright said.

Bookings can be made the same way as at the Palmerston North Hospital.

The centre will be free to women who are eligible for free healthcare in New Zealand.