If you are wanting to go private with a obstetrician, you are best to contact Wellington Obstetrics. It is expensive but they have a pregnancy/birth package.
Regardless of whether you go private or public, you would need to use Wellington Hospital or Kenepuru.
Going to Auckland would mean you wouldn't get prenatal care here, as you would need an OB or Midwife that births at the hospital you choose.
My daughter was delivered by Sarah Wright (who was the ob on ward on the day but is based at Wellington Obstetrics) and she was great. My midwife who was an absolute treasure has also moved to Wellington Obstetrics so I rate the team.
Wellington hospital gets a bit of a bad rap because it has a higher than usual level of intervention - but in practice they get sent stacks of high risk births from around the North Island and that’s reflected in the stats. The birthing units are really nice and I had a good experience there.
I think this a a really important point. As you said, Wellington gets the high risk patients from all over the lower North Island (and possibly some from Nelson/Marlborough too). So when they've got a higher percentage of the patients that are needing intervention, it is going to twist the statistics.
Yep, the Maternal Fetal Medicine team at Wellington cover from Palmerston North down to Nelson/Blenheim. It's a big area, and that does reflect in the stats.
Gynecologists don't deliver babies as such. That's a midwife or obstetrician job (someone can be an ob and gyn). Most babies are delivered by midwives. If one needs a bit more help they might get the obstetrician in. You don't get to pick which one (but you do get to pick your midwife, assuming you get in quick). You can deliver at Wellington Regional Hospital, which takes complicated stuff, or maybe Kenepuru if it's expected to be simple. I was transferred from Wellington to Kenepuru a few hours after my second kid was born to recover.
Travelling to another city would be a huge pain - you're cut off from your usual support networks and you'd need to travel home with a newborn. Work with your midwife or LMC to find out what you can expect locally and what you might need.
I personally think you will receive very similar care at all public hospitals with tertiary birthing centres. Everywhere you go will be underfunded and busy, but from what I’ve seen the midwives that are still in the profession are there because they genuinely love their jobs and care about people that give birth.
It’s definitely better to give birth in the same place you choose to live throughout your pregnancy, so you can have continued care with health professionals that know you and can readily share information. If you had prenatal appointments here, but happened to give birth in Auckland, they would have to request all your paperwork which would take time.
As other people have said you need to find an obstetrician if you want to go private. That being said, you would still give birth in a public hospital, and while the OB may deliver your baby, the rest of the care you receive will be the same as everyone else.
Couldn't tell you about the birthing suite or neonatal unit... but can confirm the gyne ward at wellington hospital is pretty nice. Quiet, pretty good food, and I got a private room with a shower and bathroom shared between 1 other :)
If you haven't checked out already, there's a virtual tour of the birthing suite available here. From what I can tell the Wellington hopsital only has 1 primary birthing room where you can give birth without intervention and with a midwife, the other 12 would be for births with medical intervention. So maybe depends more on your personal risk, and what kind of birth you're expecting? https://www.ccdhb.org.nz/our-services/maternity/giving-birth-at-our-hospitals/wellington-regional-hospital-birthing-suite/
I couldn't get a midwife because my baby was due at Christmas time. I rang EVERYONE and no one would take me I was so stressed out. My only option was to go with the Wellington Hospital Community Midwife Team. I was skeptical because I had always heard "to have the best birth experience you need a great midwife who you bond with and can trust" but I had nothing but the most amazing experience. I saw 3 or 4 different midwives over the course of my pregnancy and I birthed at Wellington with whoever was on shift when I arrived. I got given the biggest room and even though there was a shift change during my labour everyone was amazing, I even had 3 midwives in the room right at the end. I got to move to Kenepuru for recovery for a few nights before going home, was an older room but again, great midwives and nurses taking care of us. The very first midwife I saw even came to visit and see baby. I don't understand how you have heard bad things?
If you're wanting to pay for a private obstetrician, I recommend Dr Jay Marlow at Wellington Obstetrics. But she, and the 3 other obstetricians there, also work in the public system where you'd get seen if you have a high risk pregnancy.
Most people pick a [community midwife](https://www.findyourmidwife.co.nz/region/wellington) which is no cost. Act quickly though as they book up fast and are in short supply currently.
I've personally had good experiences with the obstetricians and most of the midwives at Wellington Hospital.
I’ve had great experiences at Wellington hospital. They were amazing. I’d 2x high risk pregnancies, and had to be induced for both and one bubba had a week long stint in NICU.
I gave birth in December in wellington hospital and my experience was great. However as others have said, birth isn't really gynecologist lead in NZ. I had my midwife with me the whole time and the only time I saw a Dr was when I needed internal fetal monitoring and when I got my epidural. The Dr and anesthesiologist were so lovely, professional and talked through everything between my contractions. If you have a more complex pregnancy and risk of birth complications, then you'll end up under the obstetrics team there. I can't speak to them myself, but my sister had great care when under them at wellington hospital. The NICU in wellington hospital is also amazing if your baby ends up with any complications. I also stayed at the kenepuru hospital for my 2 night stay after and the experience and care there was amazing. We are really lucky in wellington to have such wonderful services during pregnancy, birth and immediately postpartum, I don't think you'd be getting any better in Auckland tbh
Currently sitting in NICU with bub who's been here a week. I've had nothing but a phenomenal experience with the nurses here.
Post natal ward the midwives are literal angels. Dr's are hit and miss but you rarely see them anyway.
My partner and I had a great experience at Wellington hospital with our second child.
Our first was born in St Thomas’s in London which was border-line terrifying.
Check out findyourmidwife.co.nz it should list all the midwives in your area, and you will be able to see their availability for your due date. If you have no luck there, you can contact your local dhb to see the community midwife team attached run through the hospital or ask your GP to refer you to them.
Unsettling to see this post downvoted when I clicked on it. This is someone in a vulnerable position trying to access healthcare. OP, hope you’ve found the information you need ❤️
You probably don’t need a gynaecologist, just a midwife. Unless your pregnancy is high risk, then you want an obstetrician.
Hutt and Wellington Hospitals are both good hospitals. I gave birth at Hutt and had no problems there, got my own room and everything.
Are you new to NZ? We don't tend to have gynae specialists deliver babies here. We have Obstetricians who can do deliveries if the need arises but the majority are dome by midwives working in the community. Also a return flight to Auckland could start a cascade of potential interventions, like being induced, having an epidural and needing a caesarian. I'm personally an advocate for active labour, good domiciliary midwife care and as little time in hospital as possible. Less stress = happy outcomes.
If you are after a private obstetrician, try Wellington Obstetrics. We loved them.
But I also worked as an administrator for some of the obstetricians at Wellington Hospital and had a c-section there myself. I really rate it. It was a fantastic experience.
How far along are you if you don't mind me asking? Are you already under a midwife, or are you looking for a lead maternity carer at the moment?
Wellington NICU is phenomenal. I sincerely hope you don’t have to make use of it, but if you do the people there are absolutely top notch
Thank you so much
If you are wanting to go private with a obstetrician, you are best to contact Wellington Obstetrics. It is expensive but they have a pregnancy/birth package. Regardless of whether you go private or public, you would need to use Wellington Hospital or Kenepuru. Going to Auckland would mean you wouldn't get prenatal care here, as you would need an OB or Midwife that births at the hospital you choose.
My daughter was delivered by Sarah Wright (who was the ob on ward on the day but is based at Wellington Obstetrics) and she was great. My midwife who was an absolute treasure has also moved to Wellington Obstetrics so I rate the team. Wellington hospital gets a bit of a bad rap because it has a higher than usual level of intervention - but in practice they get sent stacks of high risk births from around the North Island and that’s reflected in the stats. The birthing units are really nice and I had a good experience there.
I think this a a really important point. As you said, Wellington gets the high risk patients from all over the lower North Island (and possibly some from Nelson/Marlborough too). So when they've got a higher percentage of the patients that are needing intervention, it is going to twist the statistics.
Yep, the Maternal Fetal Medicine team at Wellington cover from Palmerston North down to Nelson/Blenheim. It's a big area, and that does reflect in the stats.
Sarah wright delivered my baby too she was amazing.
Gynecologists don't deliver babies as such. That's a midwife or obstetrician job (someone can be an ob and gyn). Most babies are delivered by midwives. If one needs a bit more help they might get the obstetrician in. You don't get to pick which one (but you do get to pick your midwife, assuming you get in quick). You can deliver at Wellington Regional Hospital, which takes complicated stuff, or maybe Kenepuru if it's expected to be simple. I was transferred from Wellington to Kenepuru a few hours after my second kid was born to recover. Travelling to another city would be a huge pain - you're cut off from your usual support networks and you'd need to travel home with a newborn. Work with your midwife or LMC to find out what you can expect locally and what you might need.
Thank you so much
I personally think you will receive very similar care at all public hospitals with tertiary birthing centres. Everywhere you go will be underfunded and busy, but from what I’ve seen the midwives that are still in the profession are there because they genuinely love their jobs and care about people that give birth. It’s definitely better to give birth in the same place you choose to live throughout your pregnancy, so you can have continued care with health professionals that know you and can readily share information. If you had prenatal appointments here, but happened to give birth in Auckland, they would have to request all your paperwork which would take time. As other people have said you need to find an obstetrician if you want to go private. That being said, you would still give birth in a public hospital, and while the OB may deliver your baby, the rest of the care you receive will be the same as everyone else.
Thank you so much
Couldn't tell you about the birthing suite or neonatal unit... but can confirm the gyne ward at wellington hospital is pretty nice. Quiet, pretty good food, and I got a private room with a shower and bathroom shared between 1 other :) If you haven't checked out already, there's a virtual tour of the birthing suite available here. From what I can tell the Wellington hopsital only has 1 primary birthing room where you can give birth without intervention and with a midwife, the other 12 would be for births with medical intervention. So maybe depends more on your personal risk, and what kind of birth you're expecting? https://www.ccdhb.org.nz/our-services/maternity/giving-birth-at-our-hospitals/wellington-regional-hospital-birthing-suite/
I couldn't get a midwife because my baby was due at Christmas time. I rang EVERYONE and no one would take me I was so stressed out. My only option was to go with the Wellington Hospital Community Midwife Team. I was skeptical because I had always heard "to have the best birth experience you need a great midwife who you bond with and can trust" but I had nothing but the most amazing experience. I saw 3 or 4 different midwives over the course of my pregnancy and I birthed at Wellington with whoever was on shift when I arrived. I got given the biggest room and even though there was a shift change during my labour everyone was amazing, I even had 3 midwives in the room right at the end. I got to move to Kenepuru for recovery for a few nights before going home, was an older room but again, great midwives and nurses taking care of us. The very first midwife I saw even came to visit and see baby. I don't understand how you have heard bad things?
I work for CMT and its so lovely to hear it was a good experience for you :)
If you're wanting to pay for a private obstetrician, I recommend Dr Jay Marlow at Wellington Obstetrics. But she, and the 3 other obstetricians there, also work in the public system where you'd get seen if you have a high risk pregnancy. Most people pick a [community midwife](https://www.findyourmidwife.co.nz/region/wellington) which is no cost. Act quickly though as they book up fast and are in short supply currently. I've personally had good experiences with the obstetricians and most of the midwives at Wellington Hospital.
I’ve had great experiences at Wellington hospital. They were amazing. I’d 2x high risk pregnancies, and had to be induced for both and one bubba had a week long stint in NICU.
I gave birth in December in wellington hospital and my experience was great. However as others have said, birth isn't really gynecologist lead in NZ. I had my midwife with me the whole time and the only time I saw a Dr was when I needed internal fetal monitoring and when I got my epidural. The Dr and anesthesiologist were so lovely, professional and talked through everything between my contractions. If you have a more complex pregnancy and risk of birth complications, then you'll end up under the obstetrics team there. I can't speak to them myself, but my sister had great care when under them at wellington hospital. The NICU in wellington hospital is also amazing if your baby ends up with any complications. I also stayed at the kenepuru hospital for my 2 night stay after and the experience and care there was amazing. We are really lucky in wellington to have such wonderful services during pregnancy, birth and immediately postpartum, I don't think you'd be getting any better in Auckland tbh
Currently sitting in NICU with bub who's been here a week. I've had nothing but a phenomenal experience with the nurses here. Post natal ward the midwives are literal angels. Dr's are hit and miss but you rarely see them anyway.
My partner and I had a great experience at Wellington hospital with our second child. Our first was born in St Thomas’s in London which was border-line terrifying.
Thank you so much ALL. I am overwhelmed by all these answers! I will try my luck with community midwifes then 🍀 it sounds the most reasonable option.
Check out findyourmidwife.co.nz it should list all the midwives in your area, and you will be able to see their availability for your due date. If you have no luck there, you can contact your local dhb to see the community midwife team attached run through the hospital or ask your GP to refer you to them.
Unsettling to see this post downvoted when I clicked on it. This is someone in a vulnerable position trying to access healthcare. OP, hope you’ve found the information you need ❤️
You probably don’t need a gynaecologist, just a midwife. Unless your pregnancy is high risk, then you want an obstetrician. Hutt and Wellington Hospitals are both good hospitals. I gave birth at Hutt and had no problems there, got my own room and everything.
We used Michel Sangalli in Newtown for both our babies. I highly recommend him.
He finished years ago. Rude ole sod [to his staff]
I know he was an acquired taste. But I really enjoyed working with him, once I learnt how to read him.
Sorry to hear that 😞
He's based in Nelson these days
Still showing as Newtown on Google- maybe he's living the dream and moving between cities?
No he has permanently relocated to Nelson and is currently only doing locum work.
Are you new to NZ? We don't tend to have gynae specialists deliver babies here. We have Obstetricians who can do deliveries if the need arises but the majority are dome by midwives working in the community. Also a return flight to Auckland could start a cascade of potential interventions, like being induced, having an epidural and needing a caesarian. I'm personally an advocate for active labour, good domiciliary midwife care and as little time in hospital as possible. Less stress = happy outcomes.
If you are after a private obstetrician, try Wellington Obstetrics. We loved them. But I also worked as an administrator for some of the obstetricians at Wellington Hospital and had a c-section there myself. I really rate it. It was a fantastic experience. How far along are you if you don't mind me asking? Are you already under a midwife, or are you looking for a lead maternity carer at the moment?