HEALTH INFORMATION
What to expect after birth
Find out more about skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding and administration of Vitamin K after birth.
After birth, depending on how well you are, you and your baby will be cared for at one of two facilities:
Babies that are born prematurely (before 37 weeks pregnancy), or require more specialised care for other reasons, will be cared for by our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Auckland City Hospital.
Through a partnership arrangement, Birthcare Auckland provides high-quality postnatal care for women and babies who are in good health following birth. Birthcare provides expert postnatal care for mothers and babies, breastfeeding advice, physiotherapy, and parenting education. The facility has a large team of experienced midwives and nurses, including lactation consultants. A paediatrician is also available if needed.
Mothers who have had a normal birth at Auckland City Hospital and are in good health, will be transfered to Birthcare within a few hours of giving birth. If you have had a caesarian section at Auckland City Hospital, and are recovering well after 24 hours, you will be transferred to Birthcare for the remainder of your postnatal care.
For more information on Birthcare's facilities, costs, and what to expect, visit the Birthcare website().
Should you require more complex care following birth, you will be admitted to one of our postnatal wards at Auckland City Hospital. This includes Wards 98 and Tamaki.
The length of your stay will vary according to your individual needs. On average, women who have had a vaginal birth will stay up to 48 hours and women who have had a caesarean section will stay up to five days.