Waterford Birth Centre

Midwifery in New Zealand

In October 1990 the government passed the Nurses Amendment Act. This allowed Registered Midwives to practice midwifery, independent of a General Practitioner. With respect to antenatal and postnatal visits and the management of low-risk births, the Midwife has full clinical responsibility.

Under the Act, a Registered Midwife can carry out the following:

• Prescribe medication for you, providing that the medication is solely related to your pregnancy
• Authorize blood tests
• Authorize scans
• Following consultation, refer you to a specialist.

Lead Maternity Carer (LMC)

You choose the person (LMC) who will support you during your pregnancy, labour, birth and postnatal period. The Ministry of Health requires you to register with a LMC. This could be a Midwife or General Practitioner.

You must always contact your LMC first for all pregnancy-related issues. If in doubt, ring them first. You will still need to visit your G.P for all other health concerns. You will have to pay their consultation fee.

LMC's with access agreements for Waterford Birth Centre