• Antenatal care is usually provided by your LMC at home or at a clinic. We have a Midwife clinic room that our local LMC’s use to do their appointments in. You LMC will advise you where to meet her for antenatal visits.

• An obstetrician from Nelson hospital has a clinic at the unit once a fortnight. They can see you at the unit if your LMC has recommended you need to see an obstetrician in your pregnancy

• If you have an appointment in the unit we are happy to give you a tour when you attend. Call usbefore you comeso we can make sure a midwife is available to give you a tour of the unit.

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Te Whare Whānau has a large, private birthing room, located away from the other rooms in the unit. This space is designed to support calm, focused labour and birth.

The birthing room includes:

• A purpose‑built birthing pool for water labour and water birth

• A shower, which can be used during labour

• Soft lighting and fairy lights, helping to create a calm, relaxing environment

• Birthing mats and equipment, allowing you to move freely and find positions that feel right for you

We encourage you to make the space your own. Your midwife can help you arrange the room in a way that supports comfort, movement and a sense of safety.

Pain relief and comfort options include:

• Gas and air (Entonox), which is available for use during labour

• Warm water, movement and positioning

• Massage, breathing and relaxation techniques

Additional comforts available:

• A Bluetooth speaker so you can play music or sounds that support you

• Wi‑Fi access throughout the unit during your stay

• An electric diffuser, which can be used for aromatherapy if you or your midwife choose

• Ko tō tinana, ko tō whānautanga — this is your birth.
  Our aim is to provide a flexible, nurturing space where you feel comfortable, supported and able to focus on welcoming your pēpi.

Te Whare Whānau – Motueka Maternity Unit is available to support wahine and whānau after pēpi is born, regardless of where the birth takes place.

Anyone can access the unit for afterbirth care.
If you birth at home or at Nelson Hospital, you may transfer to Te Whare Whānau once you and your pēpi are discharged from hospital.

This includes mothers who have had:

• Planned (elective) caesarean sections, or

• Emergency caesarean sections

• Difficult births

• Pepi who have needed special care after birth (SCBU)

As a team, we work together to support the transition to parenthood, providing a calm, supportive and nurturing environment where you can rest, bond with your baby and gain confidence.

Our focus during your stay is to:

• Support you and Pepi with feeding

• Support bonding with your Whaunu and new Pepi

• Partners and support people are welcome to stay with you

• One chosen support person will be provided with meals during your stay with you.

• You Whanau are welcome to visit at a time that works for you

• Support your physical recovery and wellbeing

• Help you feel confident caring for yourself and your pēpi before going home

Ko te whānau te mea nui — you and your baby are at the centre of care.
We work alongside you so that when you leave Te Whare Whānau, you feel supported, informed and ready for the next stage of your journey.

At Te Whare Whānau – Motueka Maternity Unit, we are here to support you and your pēpi as you learn to feed.

We understand that breastfeeding is a learning journey and that it often takes time, patience and support. Every māmā and pēpi is different, and our care is tailored to your individual needs.

Support available includes:

• Hands‑on help with positioning and attachment (latch)

• Support with establishing and maintaining milk supply

• Encouragement and reassurance as you and your pēpi learn together

We have hospital‑grade breast pumps available for use while you are staying in the unit for those who need this extra support.
We also offer short‑term breast pump hire options for māmā who require ongoing support once they are home.

Breastfeeding day‑stay support

If you have already gone home and would benefit from some extra breastfeeding support, your Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) midwife can refer you for a breastfeeding day stay at Te Whare Whānau.

During a day stay, you can spend time with us and receive support across multiple feeds, allowing time to observe feeding, make adjustments and build confidence.

This can be especially helpful for:

• Māmā experiencing sore or damaged nipples who need support with improving latch

• Māmā and pēpi who are working to increase breast milk supply

• Whānau who need support to set up a feeding plan and feel confident before continuing at home

He wāhi haumaru tēnei — a safe, supportive space to learn, practice and gain confidence.
Our aim is for you to leave feeling supported, informed and confident in feeding your baby.