Lead maternity carers — midwives and doctors

All pregnant women will need the care and support of a lead maternity carer.  

Your lead maternity carer will have a legal, professional and practical responsibility to make sure you and your pēpi receive appropriate maternity care.  

They can be a:

• midwife
• private obstetrician
• general practitioner with training in obstetrics. 

Your chosen lead maternity carer may provide all maternity care, or they may share care with one or more other practitioners. 

Midwives

Most women have a community-based midwife as their lead maternity carer. 

These midwives usually work in small practices with a team of other midwifes so you will have a back up carer. They care for you during your pregnancy, labour and birth and when you are at home with your pepi. 

Community midwives work alongside other midwives who are based in maternity units and hospitals. They also work with other health professionals such as obstetricians to meet any additional medical or health needs you may have. 

Private obstetricians

Private obstetricians can also care for you during your pregnancy, labour and birth. They work with midwives who will see you when you are at home with your pēpi. A private obstetrician charges you a fee.  

General practitioner (GP)

A few family doctors (GPs) are available as a lead maternity carer. They must hold a Diploma in Obstetrics. They tend to prioritise maternity care for patients who are already enrolled with them. If you choose them as your lead maternity carer, they will provide care for your pregnancy, labour and birth. The maternity care they provide you is free.

When you find out you are pregnant, it is a good idea to start looking for your lead maternity carer   

For help, you can visit: 

• Maternity services — Healthpointexternal link
• Find Your Midwifeexternal link  

Midwifery care is free to New Zealand residents and other eligible women.  

Eligibility for pregnancy servicesexternal link  

Your lead maternity carer will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help.

During your pregnancy 

Your lead maternity carer will help you develop a plan for your care, including labour and birth. They will review your general health and talk to you about any medical or mental health conditions you have. 

You will have regular antenatal appointments where they will check your: 

• blood pressure 
• wee (urine) for infection and any indicators of diabetes and preeclampsia (high blood pressure)
• weight. 

And they will check your baby's:

• heartbeat
• growth and development.

If you are fit and healthy, your antenatal checks will usually be every month up to 32 weeks. After 32 weeks they will be more frequent until your baby is born. If your lead maternity carer has any concerns, they will see you more often. 

Screening and scans

Your lead maternity will offer screening checks and ultrasound scans to check your pepi is developing well. If you decide to have them, they will arrange them for you and explain the results. They can refer you or your pēpi for specialist care if needed.

Checking the growth and development of your pēpiexternal link

General health and wellbeing

Your lead maternity carer will

• prescribe supplements such as folic acid and iodine, which are essential for your baby's wellbeing.
• talk to you about staying healthy during your pregnancy.
• help with any social stresses such as family violence, unplanned pregnancy, work, and income.

After birth

Your lead maternity carer will:

• visit you or arrange for you to be visited at the hospital and in your home at least 7 times after your pēpi is born.
• support you to care for your pēpi including breastfeeding
• provide health checks for you and your pēpi
• refer you to your chosen Well Child Tamariki Ora provider after the birth of your pēpi (the midwife will generally hand you over to these services after 5 weeks).

help you to enrol your pēpi at a general practice for doctor and practice nurse services.

Well Child Tamariki Ora providers

To help you decide if a lead maternity carer is right for you, it is a good idea to ask them about the things that are important to you.

• How many people do you care for who are due to give birth each month? 
• How long can I expect my antenatal appointments to be?  
• How does your backup system work when you are not available?  
• What choices do you offer regarding place of birth?  
• Do you usually visit people at home during early labour?  
• What is your view on pain relief during labour?
• What is your view on birth interventions such as induction, episiotomy, and assisted delivery with things like forceps or suction? 
• Are you happy to support me in using water during labour and birth if this is appropriate? 
• How long do you provide care for following the birth?  

If you are unhappy with any of the care you receive during your pregnancy, birth or after your pēpi is born, you should first talk to you midwife or doctor.  

If you are unhappy with your care