How do I choose my midwife?
What training has my midwife undertaken?
Is there Specialist back-up if necessary?
Can I have a Caesarean section if I want one?
Is home birth safe for me?
Is water birth a safe option?
Is an epidural a safe form of pain relief and how accessible is it?

How do I choose my midwife?

It is important that you have a good relationship with your midwife and that you understand one another. Often it is word-of-mouth or knowing a friend who had a good midwife that determines the choice. Your family GP is often in a good position to recommend who you would be best suited with. Personal recommendation is probably the best indicator of who you will get on with. We at Kate Sheppard work closely with a midwife consultant - Raewyn Burnham- who will be happy to discuss with you in an unbiased way who would be best for you. She will also discuss with you what Specialist options are available should you feel that you would like specialist involvement. Another alternative is to seek out the Maternity Consumer Council which provides free advice through their 0800 MUMTOBE phone line

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What training has my midwife undertaken?

Midwives have generally trained for a minimum of 3 years and hold a degree in midwifery. Many but not all have also trained as nurses prior to their midwifery training. The training is both theoretical and practical covering all aspects of both normal and abnormal labour and delivery. By the time your midwife completes her training she is able to perform normal birth and to recognise when to call for assistance when the birth deviates from normal. Most midwives working as independent midwives including those at Kate Sheppard have also spent many years as hospital midwives gaining invaluable experience in the art of midwifery.

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Is there Specialist back-up if necessary?

Kate Sheppard prides itself on being an organisation that integrates medical and midwifery input together. Specialists and midwives therefore work together at Kate Sheppard ensuring your unborn baby has the safest possible care. Your midwife will work closely with a specialist and in the event of requiring intervention will make sure one of the Kate Sheppard specialists is available. For some women having the peace of mind of having a specialist involved is very important.. Kate Sheppard offers private fee paying options for those women seeking specialist involvement.

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Can I have a Caesarean section if I want one?

Often there are strict medical reasons for having a CS. Many times, however, the options are less clear and it is debatable whether Caesarean section or vaginal birth offers the safest method of delivery. We at Kate Sheppard uphold the right of women to choose Caesarean if she feels that is the safest option for her.

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Is home birth safe for me?

Home Birth for the carefully selected woman does offer a safe alternative for childbirth. Large studies - mainly arising from the UK - have demonstrated no significant risk to mother or baby providing selection criteria are reasonably tight. Kate Sheppard is happy to discuss this as an option for childbirth.

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Is water birth a safe option?

Again in properly selected cases water birth can be a safe option. In the UK where water birth has a more established place in the hospital environment it has statistically been shown to be as safe as traditional birth. Certainly for women in early labour water can provide a gentle and relaxing way to relieve pain. Most hospitals in New Zealand now come equipped with large birthing pools to facilitate labour and birth.

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Is an epidural a safe form of pain relief and how accessible is it?

In New Zealand in the 2000's epidurals are now considered the most common form of pain relief and are used in about 50% of women labouring for the first time. They are considered extremely safe and complications are generally always minor. With modern low dose techniques epidurals do not impede the progress of labour and are probably not responsible for an increased intervention rate. They are readily available in all large city hospitals and are usually provided by in-hospital staff which means there is minimal delay in achieving good pain relief.

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Kate Sheppard Midwifery