Primary Maternity Units

These units provide a home away from home environment and are a good option for women with uncomplicated pregnancies. Like home birth, women who choose a Primary Maternity Unit are more likely to have a vaginal birth and are less likely to require medical interventions.

Your care in labour and birth will be from your LMC midwife, supported by the maternity unit staff. You are entitled to up to 48 hours of postnatal care following birth (but it may be longer if you need additional support) and will receive care from the maternity unit staff during your stay.

Sometimes you have your baby at a base hospital (Southland Hospital and Queen Mary Maternity Centre, Dunedin Hospital) and transfer to a Primary Maternity Unit closer to home for your early postnatal care.

If you are birthing at a Primary Maternity Unit and develop a complication during labour or after you have your baby, you will transfer to one of the base hospitals for medical care. Staff are well trained to assist with complex deliveries and also provide comprehensive postnatal care.

Visiting 

Visiting hours  are from 2pm - 8pm

• There is no strict restriction on visitor numbers in our maternity services (including primary, secondary, and tertiary services).

• Children can visit if supervised by an adult.

• One key support person is allowed in the inpatient room overnight if the patient is in a single room or if approved by the senior midwife in charge (for multi-bed rooms).

• If the pregnant person is attending a maternity outpatient assessment or appointment, they can bring multiple support people, including children if supervised by an adult. 

For maternity services

• There is no strict restriction on visitor numbers in our maternity services (including primary, secondary, and tertiary services).
• Children can visit if supervised by an adult.
• One key support person is allowed in the inpatient room overnight if the patient is in a single room or if approved by the senior midwife in charge (for multi-bed rooms).
• If the pregnant person is attending a maternity outpatient assessment or appointment, they can bring multiple support people, including children if supervised by an adult.

Use the links provided for each Primary Maternity Unit to find out more:

Oamaru Hospital Maternity Centre
Serving the Waitaki community
Two birth rooms and three postnatal rooms.

Clutha Health First Maternity Centre, Balclutha
Serving the Clutha community
One birth room and three postnatal rooms.

Central Otago Maternity Unit
Serving the Wanaka/Central Otago region
One birth room and three queen-size postnatal rooms. Partners are encouraged to stay.

Lakes District Hospital Maternity Unit, Frankton
Serving the Queenstown Lakes region
One birth room and three postnatal rooms. Lakes is also undergoing refurbishment in mid-2020 to update facilities and incorporate a pool in birthing room.

Gore Hospital Maternity Unit, Gore Health
Serving the Southland region
One birth room and two twin postnatal rooms.

Winton Maternity Centre
Serving the Southland region
Two birth rooms and four queen-size postnatal rooms. Partners are encouraged to stay.

You can find, download or print more information about birth choices here.