Pregnant or looking for a midwife in Northland or Far North NZ?
Think you are pregnant? What happens next?
Should you make an appointment to see your doctor? How do you find a Northland midwife? When is the baby due? What should you be eating in pregnancy? Should you be smoking or drinking alcohol?
The next step is to call your doctor or midwife. to find out more about your options for antenatal care and take the opportunity to ask any questions about pregnancy.
Make an appointment with your midwife or doctor.
Once you know that you are pregnant, you will need to choose one nominated person who will coordinate all your care. This person is called your Lead Maternity Carer (LMC). In Northland your LMC can be a midwife, or a specialist obstetrician.
Your LMC will provide ongoing health checks to monitor the health of you and your baby throughout your pregnancy, labour and birth and for 6 weeks post baby's birth.
You may register with an LMC as soon as you become pregnant. You may also receive first trimester care (up until the 12th week of pregnancy) from a GP, even if they are not your LMC.
What does it cost?
Maternity care is free for New Zealand citizens, women with permanent residency, those who have a work permit and are able to stay for two years, or those who are eligible in another way (the full set of criteria is on the Ministry of Health’s website).
