Planned ASMS senior doctors' strike — Thursday 1 May, 24 hours
Patient safety is our priority. Our hospitals and emergency departments will remain open. Continue to attend all appointments on the day of the strike unless we have contacted you to reschedule.
The maternity service at Rotorua Hospital is available to support you throughout all stages of your pregnancy, during childbirth and once your pēpi (baby) has been born.
You can contact the maternity service by:
The maternity service is located on:
Ground floor, Bridgman North Building
Rotorua Hospital
Pukeroa Street
We work in partnership with you and your chosen lead maternity carer (LMC) to provide the most appropriate care for you and your baby's specific needs.
The maternity service at Rotorua Hospital includes:
Rotorua Hospital has 8 modern birthing rooms all with ensuite bathrooms. Four of these rooms also have pools for use during labour and birth.
You are welcome to have up to 2 support people (aged over 16) with you at all times while you are in labour.
Vising hours for other whānau and friends are from 8am to 8pm.
Tamariki who are immediate whānau are welcome within visiting hours.
After you have given birth, you and your pēpi are likely to spend time in the perinatal inpatient unit. You may also be admitted to this unit before you give birth.
The unit has 10 single rooms, which have either ensuite or shared bathrooms, and all have air conditioning.
The unit also has 4 ‘Mothercraft’ rooms available to women whose pēpi is in the special care baby unit (SCBU), or who need extra help with breastfeeding.
You may have a support person stay overnight in the unit, to help you care for your pēpi. Support people need to bring their own bed linen or sleeping bag.
The special care baby unit (SCBU) provides care for babies who are sick or born premature from 32 weeks or pregnancy. Babies who are very small or very unwell may be transferred to another hospital to receive more intensive or specialist care.
The Rotorua SCBU is located next to the birthing and perinatal units.
Mothers can stay close to their babies in one of our 4 Mothercraft rooms in the perinatal unit. You will receive support and guidance from the SCBU staff while your pēpi is in SCBU care.
Parents can visit their baby at any time of the day or night. The SCBU is a secure unit — when you arrive, ring the doorbell and a staff member will let you in.
Special care baby unit at Rotorua Hospital — Healthpoint (external link)
All midwives are skilled in providing assistance with breastfeeding, and will help you get started.
If you are having problems breastfeeding, a lactation consultant from the Kia Wana breastfeeding service is also available to help. (external link)
Kia Wana can provide:
You can call Kia Wana on:
Rotorua Hospital is accredited with Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative status. This means we are committed to protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding, while treating every mother with respect and supporting her with factual information.
Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative — New Zealand Breast Feeding Alliance (external link)
As soon as you find out you are pregnant, it is a good idea to register for free care with a Lead Maternity Carer (LMC). This will mean you and your pēpi receive the best care from as early as possible.
Find your midwife — New Zealand College of Midwives (external link)
If you have difficulty finding a midwife, phone 0800 Lakes Baby (0800 525 372) and they will assist you.
Rotorua Hospital provides free hearing tests for all newborn babies. Newborn hearing screening checks if your pēpi hears well. If they have hearing loss, finding it early will help their language, learning and social development.
We can test your pēpi in the hospital, or at an outpatient clinic.
In Rotorua, the clinic is at the Children's Health Hub — Te Aka Mauri at the Rotorua Library on Haupapa Street. Clinic hours are afternoons Monday to Friday.
You can contact us about newborn hearing screening on: