Pregnancy
Resources and Support
Explore resources and find support for healthy pregnancy
- Book your midwife
- Start taking the recommended supplements
- Talk to your midwife about screening tests
- Eat whole foods (cut down on fizzy drinks and highly processed foods)
- Ask for support for a smokefree, alcohol-free healthy pregnancy
Find your Midwife
Bay of Plenty | findyourmidwife.co.nz
- Tauranga – 07 579 8164
- Whakatane – 07 306 0811
Lakes findyourmidwife.co.nz
- 0800 Lakes Baby (0800 525 372)
Supplements
- Folic acid, iodine and vitamin D | health.govt.nz
- Folic Acid and Spina Bifida/Iodine and Iodine Deficiency | healthed.govt.nz
- Take one folic acid tablet daily (0.8mg)
- Take one iodine-only tablet (0.150mg)
For further information, contact a health professional such as your doctor, midwife, dietitian, nurse or pharmacist.
Maternity Services
- Protecting your baby starts in pregnancy
- Get immunised while pregnant against whooping cough and influenza
- It's free, recommended, and has a proven safety record
Immunisation During Pregnancy
- Immunisation for pregnant women – Ministry of Health recommendations (includes a 3-minute video)
- Why immunise against influenza
- Local news and information: Midwifery Immunisation Group Newsletter, June 2019
Risks from influenza infection for pregnant women
- Being pregnant and getting influenza means you are at increased risk of pneumonia
- You are nearly 5 times more likely to be admitted to hospital with influenza compared to a non-pregnant woman
Risks from influenza infection for infants
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Miscarriage/still birth
- Birth defects
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Neonatal vaccines - for infants at risk of Hepatitis B or Tuberculosis
| Neonatal Hepatitis B Vaccination – Ministry of Health Resources | |
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BCG Vaccine – Ministry of Health Resources
The Ministry of Health recommends the following:
Lead maternity carers and GPs should:
- assess all neonates and new patients aged under 5 years for their risk of TB
- flag in their practice management system and/or medical records if an infant/child is at increased risk of TB (i.e. meets the eligibility criteria for funded BCG vaccination)
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Resources on Childhood Immunisations
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For further information
- 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863)
- immune.org.nz
- moh.govt.nz/immunisation
Ministry of Health Guidelines for Pregnant Women
- Healthy Weight Gain in Pregnancy – LMC Quick Reference Guide | health.govt.nz (summary) Two-page summary for Lead Maternity Carers: includes BMI chart and key messages
- Guidance for Healthy Weight Gain in Pregnancy | health.govt.nz (updated in 2014)
- Eating safely and well during pregnancy | health.govt.nz
This website destination provides a number of nutrition related resources
Supplements
- Folic acid, iodine and vitamin D | health.govt.nz
- Folic Acid and Spina Bifida/Iodine and Iodine Deficiency | healthed.govt.nz
Ministry for Primary Industries – Food Safety for pregnant women
- Food and pregnancy | mpi.govt.nz
High risk foods, food safety when eating out, overseas travel, and foodborne infections/download Food Safety in Pregnancy guide (reviewed in January 2016) - List of safe food in pregnancy | mpi.govt.nz
Guide to food safety in pregnancy/download Pullout Guide to Food Safety
Healthy recipes for wider family eating
- My family recipes | healthykids.org.nz
- 5aday.co.nz
- Affordable eats for NZ families | heartfoundation.org.nz
- Healthy eats for kiwi kids (Pacific Heartbeat, Heart Foundation initiative).
- Resources and recipes | toitangata.co.nz.
Videos (2-5 minutes each) on why it is important to eat well in order to give your child the best start to life (compiled by Gravida)
- What happens in the womb can last a lifetime
Begin before Birth, Imperial College, London. This video looks at the effect of environmental influences such as nutrition, physical activity, toxins and stress on an unborn baby and explains why it’s so important we look after our pregnant mums. - Why do nutrition and the early years matter for non-communicable disease risk and later good health?
The Liggins Institute, University of Auckland. This video explains why nutrition matters for later in life good health. - Non-communicable diseases – why should we be worried? Sir Peter Gluckman
The Liggins Institute, University of Auckland. This video interviews Sir Peter Gluckman on the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD). - Type 2 Diabetes – how is this affecting our children?
The Liggins Institute, University of Auckland. This video looks at why the rising cases of lifestyle-related diabetes in New Zealand is hurting the future of our children. - The importance of the early years
A growing child's health and happiness owes much to a healthy, supportive and caring family environment.
Physical Activity and Pregnancy
- Pregnancy and Activity Brochure | nationalwomenshealth.adhb.govt.nz (SPARC)
- Exercising when breastfeeding | health.govt.nz
For more information about local activities:
0800 ACTIVE (0800 22 84 83)
Mental Health
Information & Resources
- Maternal Mental Health (UK)
- Postnatal depression | health.govt.nz
- Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale 10 questions (electronic or printable)
- Infographic - risk factors for post-natal depression
- Postnatal depression (UK Mental Health Charity)
- Understanding Postnatal Depression (UK) | information on causes, treatments, self-help, 24 pages
- pada.nz (information specific to perinatal anxiety and depression)
- beyondblue.org.au (depression including perinatal mental health)
- cci.health.wa.gov.au ( specific to mental health and cognitive behaviour therapy self help modules)
- mindthebump.org.au (pregnancy)
- mothershelpers.co.nz
- Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (Questionnaire)
Applications
- Positively Pregnant (NZ specific, developed by University of Waikato)
- Smiling Mind (mindfulness)
- Headspace (mindfulness)
Referrals
BOP
- Community Mental Health & Addictions - Triage Phone 07 579 8880.
Lakes
- Te Ngako Rotorua | lakesdhb.govt.nz
Community Mental Health & Addiction Services
Rotorua and Southern Lakes:
07 348 1199 (24 hours)
Smoking Cessation
- Smoking and pregnancy | quit.org.nz (0800 778 778)
- I Quit Smoking for Baby and Me | quit.org.nz (8 page resource)
- Encouraging Smoke-free Pregnancies: The Role of Primary Care | bpac.org.nz
- Smoking Cessation booklet (10 page self-help guide)
Bay of Plenty
- Smoke-free Maternity Coordinator - Registered Midwife, Natasha Rawiri: 027 801 4581
- Tauranga/Western Bay:
- Nga Kakano Foundation: 0508 KAKANO (0508 52 52 66) or 07 573 0660 or info@ngakakano.org.nz
- Whakatāne/Eastern Bay:
- Stop Smoking Service - Eastern Bay Primary Health Alliance: 07 306 0096
Lakes
- Support for Pregnant Women to Quit Smoking or Vaping | lakesdhb.govt.nz
- Smoking Cessation Coordinator - Registered Nurse and Midwife: 07 349 7955 extn 8426
- Tipu Ora - accepts self-referrals or referrals from GP, maternity, DHB, community services, and whanau
- 0800 3482 400 (free phone, reference Stop Smoking support) or fax: 07 348 2403
- Email: referralhub@tipuora.org.nz
- Tunohopu Health Centre
16-20 Houkotuku St
Ōhinemutu, Rotorua - tipuora.org.nz/smoking-cessation
Alcohol
- Resources for health professionals
- ABC Alcohol for Pregnancy - A guide for health professionals
- Hazards of alcohol use by pregnant women and women of reproductive age
2-page overview for health professionals published by the Health Promotion Agency - Don't Know? Don't Drink. | HPA - Health promotion agency (30 second video)
- Pregnant? Trying? Don't Drink (handout)
Community Mental Health & Addiction Services
BOP
- Community Mental Health & Addictions
Triage Phone 07 579 8880
Lakes
- Te Ngako Rotorua | lakesdhb.govt.nz
Community Mental Health & Addiction Services
Rotorua and Southern Lakes:
07 348 1199 (24 hours)
Antenatal (Childbirth) Education Classes
Bay of Plenty
- Tauranga Parents Centre
- Huria Trust – Hei Tiki Pumau Kaupapa Antenatal Programme
- Whakatane Parents Centre
- Te Ha ora kaupapa Maori pregnancy and parenting programme, Whakatane and Opotiki:
- Learning traditional Maori birth practices, tikanga, whakapapa, honouring pito and whenua.
- Contact Lisa Kelly 027 229 3086
Lakes
Rotorua Parents Centre | parentscentre.org.nz
Hapu Mama classes - kaupapa Maori model for pregnancy and parenting information
- Mokoia Community Association, Owhata (refreshments are provided)
For bookings:
Taupo Parents Centre | parentscentre.org.nz
- Childbirth education courses are held on Monday and Wednesday evenings 7-9pm (and some weekends 9.30am-3.30pm)
- Rangiaatea Waaenaanga-Kaupapa Maori based childbirth education courses are held on Saturdays 9-5pm, February, May, August and November.
Parenting Classes
- Plunket - Bay of Plenty and Lakes areas Parenting Education | plunket.org.nz
- Taupo Parents Centre | parentscentre.org.nz
- Baby & You – an essential course for parents of babies 0-3 months old
- Moving, Munching, Toys & Toning – course for parents 4-9 months old
- Tinies to tots – for parents of children 10-18 months old
- PLACE baby in his or her own bed
- ELIMINATE smoking in the home
- POSITION baby flat on his or her back
- ENCOURAGE and support breastfeeding
Information for Fathers
- Being a great dad | Ministry of Health - advice and resources
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Safe Sleeping
Smokefree |
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Breastfeeding
- Ministry of Health – Breastfeeding | for health practitioners, mother-to-mother support, publications
- Breastfeeding naturally (video) | Ministry of Health
- BreastfedNZ | a free breastfeeding app, and further information
- Mama Aroha breastfeeding talk cards | resources to facilitate discussion about breastfeeding with mothers
Local Support
- BOPDHB: Lactation Consultants – Phone numbers – Tauranga and Whakatane Hospitals
- Lakes DHB Baby Friendly Hospital Coordinator
- Lakes DHB Community Breastfeeding Service: 0800 LakesBaby (0800 525 372)
Further resources
- Eating for healthy breastfeeding women | Ministry of Health, 2013
- Mums continuing to breastfeed past solids | Plunket
- Exercising when breastfeeding | Ministry of Health
- Caring for babies in the early days and taking care of yourself | Tapuaki – Pacific Pregnancy and Parenting Education
- Breastfeeding for Chinese/Mandarin parents and grandparents | Waitemata District Health Board
- Pacific breastfeeding resources | La Leche League
Checklist for Parents of Newborns
- WellChild/Tamariki Ora Providers:
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- BOPDHB: Links to Bay of Plenty services
- Lakes DHB: Lakes Well Child/Tamariki Ora services
- Dental Service:
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- To enrol phone: 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583)
- BOPDHB website: Talk Teeth for Preschoolers
- Lakes DHB website: Community Oral Health Service (COHS)
- National Immunisation Register (NIR):
News
- Zika Virus in Pregnancy
Interim guidance information for LMCs, GPs and other health professionals, NZ Ministry of Health (2017) includes flowchart (step 1 Pregnant women – travel to a country with confirmed transmission/high risk of exposure) - Local news and information: Midwifery Immunisation Group Newsletter, June 2019
Tools
- Maternity Community Support Directory is a resource that you can refer families/whanau to and includes valuable information on what’s available in the community.
- Conversations in Weight Management video
- 16 minute training module for healthcare workers
- How to support weight management: how to initiate a conversation/brief intervention/motivational interviewing
- Childhood Obesity Risk Calculator – predicted probability from traditional risk factors (UK resource)
- List of Maternity Resources – compiled by Workbase (from the Ministry of Health website)
Nutrition
- NZ guidelines and tools - The University of Auckland – from the Gravida Healthy Start Workforce Project
Smoking
- Smoking during pregnancy - BOPDHB booklet
- Smokefree babies - BOPDHB booklet
Alcohol
- Hazards of alcohol use by pregnant women and women of reproductive age: Resources for health professionals
- ABC Alcohol for Pregnancy
- Pamphlet
- Video on health professionals’ role in addressing alcohol use in pregnancy
Post-natal Depression
- Understanding Postnatal Depression (UK) – information on causes, treatments, self-help (UK booklet)
- Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale - 10 questions (electronic or printable)
- www.pada.nz (information specific to perinatal anxiety and depression)
- www.beyondblue.org.au (depression including perinatal mental health)
- www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/ ( specific to mental health and cognitive behaviour therapy self help modules)
- www.mindthebump.org.au (pregnancy)
- https://www.mothersmatter.nz/
Quick Guides
- ABC Alcohol for pregnancy - A guide for health practitioners
- Gestational Weight Gain Guide
- Healthy Weight Gain in Pregnancy - LMC Quick Reference Guide
Research (Reviews Reports, Literature reviews)
- Midwifery Research Reviews | This Review features key medical articles from global midwifery journals with commentary from Jackie Gunn.
- Smoking Cessation Research Reviews | This Review features key medical articles from global respiratory journals with commentary from Honorary Assoc Prof Natalie Walker and Dr Brent Caldwell.
- Immunisation against whooping cough crucial in pregnancy | Summary and link to the 2015 report from the Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee (CYMRC): From 2002 to 2014 there were 1515 hospital admissions and “more than three quarters were for infants under six-months-old.” | Health Quality & Safety Commission New Zealand
- New Zealand Maternity Clinical Indicators 2014 | The New Zealand Maternity Clinical Indicators present comparative maternity interventions and outcomes data for pregnant women and their babies by maternity facility and district health board region | 2016
Other websites and resources
- Health Navigator NZ | Healthy Living, Pregnancy landing page
- Teen Parenting Website "Thrive" | Auckland-based teen parent support trust – many resources listed under “publications”
- KidsHealth Website | Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation
- Raising Children – Family Services | Ministry of Social Development website – includes a directory of service providers in the Bay of Plenty and Lakes regions.