Home Birth Aotearoa
 
 
 
Central Lakes Home Birth Association
 

Our History

Our Beliefs

Our Aims

What can Central Lakes Home Birth offer you?

Key Contact for Central Lakes Home Birth

 

Our History 

Central Lakes Home Birth began in April 2004 at the instigation of local midwives who, due to the increase in home births in the region, identified a need for a support group. We ran monthly meetings for the first two years, however due to geographical and membership challenges we have currently terminated these.  We will run these again on a needs basis. 

 

Our Beliefs

  • Pregnancy and birth are normal, healthy, active processes.

  • In the majority of cases birth does not require medical or technological intervention.

  • Planned home birth is a safe alternative to hospital birth.

  • The bonding process can be enhanced by a satisfying birth experience.

  • Home birth enhances breastfeeding relationships and lessens the likelihood of postnatal depression.

  • The birthing woman (parents) have a right to information about birth options.

 

Our Aims 

  • To support women and their families before, during and after the birth.

  • To support women (parents) choosing to give birth at home by providing
    them with a wide range of birth information to enable them to make informed, responsible decisions regarding their births.

  • To promote a realistic and positive portrayal of birth in our society.

  • To publicise the home birth option and raise the acceptability of this option in our society.

  • To provide a forum for the sharing of knowledge, experiences and resources.

  • To ensure the continued existence of home birth as an option and to work for increased political and medical recognition.

  • To help health professionals understand the needs of home birth parents and to inform them of the services available.

  • To communicate with other home birth groups to exchange expertise, literature and information.

  • To support home birth midwives.

 

What can Central Lakes Home Birth offer you?

  • We have built up a collection of books, magazines, videos and other resources related to home birth and related pregnancy topics available for loan

  • We have compiled an information folder for women considering a home birth

  • Links with Home Birth Aotearoa

  • Support to explore the home birth option

  • Information for prospective support people.

  • Practical help for birthing mothers

 

Practical help for Birthing Mothers  

We can offer the following:

  • Baking/Meals

  • Homehelp (up to 4 hours)

  • Homebirth packs which include towels/plastic sheet ($5 charge)

  • Sibling Kit ( includes baby doll, parent information and childrens’ books on birth)

 

Library Books Available

Contact Vivienne Wilkinson on (03) 445 1599 if you wish to borrow any of the following items.

Seven Men Talk about Home Birth, video produced by the Wellington Home Birth Association.  A short video in which men casually discuss home birth, its safety and the man’s role.

The Pregnancy Question and Answer book, by Cr C Lees, Dr K Reynolds and G McCartan. A general book on pregnancy.

Pregnancy and Childbirth, by Sheila Kitzinger, 1991, A general book on pregnancy.  (2 copies)

Birth Tides, Turning towards Home Birth, by Marie O’Connor, 1995.  Real experiences of over 100 women including stories of painless birth and hard labour, unattended births and partners as midwives.

Caring for Babies at Night, by Jane Elizabeth. 1998.  Reviews what is known about children’s sleeping patterns and suggests simple, effective ways of minimising disturbance.

Every woman, a Gynecological guide for life,  by Derek Llewellyn-Jones. 1986.

Birth without Violence, The book that revolutionised the way our children enter this world by Frederick Leboyer, 1974.

Home Birth and other alternatives to hospital, by Sheila Kitzinger. 1991.  Highly informative, a must read for women contemplating home birth. (3 copies)

Where did I come from? .  By Peter Mayle.  1985.  The facts of life without any nonsense and with illustrations.  Answers children’s questions and makes them laugh with it’s humorous style.  May teach the parents a thing or two!

Mending the Broken Weave, by Maggie Banks. 2001  A history of birthing in New Zealand written by a renowned midwife.  A must read for gaining a historical prospective on birthing in this country.

Home Birth Newsletters.  Selection of newsletters from Central Lakes, Manawatu, Whangerei, Wellington and Dunedin

The Pink Kit  A resource which enables pregnant women and expectant fathers to prepare the body for birth and to develop successful skills for managing labour and child birth. Includes an instructional video.

 

Key Contacts for Central Lakes Home Birth?

 General Enquires

Cromwell/Alexandra Miranda Hill (03) 445 0249  or email 

Wakatipu Emma Carter (03) 442 8807 

Wanaka/Hawea Trena Williams  (03) 443 9162

Queenstown  Emma Newell  (03) 4411130  or email
 

Library Books/Videos/ Information Folder

Vivienne Wilkinson (03) 445 1599 or email 

 

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