HEALTH INFORMATION
What to expect after birth
Find out more about skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding and administration of Vitamin K after birth.
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After birth, depending on how well you are, you and your baby will be cared for at one of two places:
Babies that are born prematurely (before 37 weeks pregnancy), or require more specialised care, will be cared for by our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Auckland City Hospital.
Through a partnership, Birthcare Auckland provides high-quality postnatal care for women and babies who are in good health after birth. Birthcare provides breastfeeding advice, physiotherapy, and parenting education. Birthcare 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 transferred to Birthcare a few hours after giving birth. If you have had a Caesarean section at Auckland City Hospital and are recovering well after 24 hours, you will be transferred to Birthcare for the rest of your postnatal care.
For more information on Birthcare's facilities, costs, and what to expect, visit the Birthcare website().
If you need more complex care following birth, you will stay in one of our postnatal wards at Auckland City Hospital. This includes Wards 96, 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.