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We are very lucky in NZ to have such wide choices of care. This should mean that everyone can find someone just right for them for that very special time. Of course, the more rural the area you reside in is, the fewer choices there are, or you have to be prepared to travel to them.

Some Mums start with a clear idea of who they wish to care for them - a Midwife, a GP or a Specialist. If you have any medical problems where a Specialist is required, this can be accessed through the local hospital (free), or you may choose to pay for a Private Specialist. Many experienced Midwives and GPs care for women needing Specialist's input, using a Specialist's management plan. Some women will always prefer having a private Specialist, but other women will enjoy the friendliness and continuity of care provided by a Midwife. (A Midwife will always provided to care for you during your labour and birth, and will visit you at home up to 4-6 weeks after baby is born.) Decide which style of care will be right for you and your baby.

Probably the best first stop is the Ministry of Health 0800MUM 2 BE (0800 686 223) ring and ask for a Maternity Services Information Kit. This handy little booklet gives you information about a huge number of things - ideal when you are not quite sure where to start! Look at the 'questions to ask before you register with an LMC'. When it is your first baby the majority of mums do not know what they should be asking - here are the clues! Ring a few different LMCs and ask them the same few questions. You will start to get a feeling who to arrange to meet, sometimes you just click on the phone immediately. At the initial meeting, do not sign anything! (Registration doesn't happen until week 14.) If you click with the 3rd one - that's fine. Shopping around is OK - they all get paid to meet you!

There are many other ways of finding an LMC.

The internet (of course) has many personal websites to view. The New Zealand College of Midwives (NZCOM) site lists all midwives in NZ, some pay to have a WebPages too, or you can ask the 0800 no. above to send you a local list of LMCs. Coming from an Independent Midwives point of view - this list only allows us to put a couple of words about our service, for example I cannot say that I cover the whole of the North Shore and birth at Parnell Birthcare too, only East Coast Bays. I am listed as a home birth and water birth midwife, but I also enjoy 'doing' twins and 'high tech' births.

Independent Midwives are listed in the medical section front of Auckland telephone book.

KYM (Know-your-midwife) scheme midwives are also available through North Shore Hospital (486 1491 ask for the KYM office), and Kate Sheppard Midwifery Scheme (489 1437). Both KYMs and Kate Sheppard Midwives are not the actual LMCs (they are employed by someone else), but take a caseload similar to how Independent Midwives practice. Some Midwifery practices are large (Maternity Associates 478 1302) and some are small like Albany Collective (448 2282) or my own practice (479 6163 Eleanor, 09 424 2037 Mary, 410 5313 Colette). All midwives provide the same service, which includes access to Specialist Obstetricians, Paediatricians and Anaesthetists when required. The large practices tend to have other practitioners renting their rooms to giving further options such as acupuncture, parentcraft classes etc. or sell maternity items as well. These can be accessed by women booked with anyone on the Shore.

Many North Shore GPs use a free local service 'Altair Consultancy' (North Shore residents only - 410 5715), Raewyn or Lee will guide you through the initial choices in an hour long appointment and try to 'match you' up with a suitable LMC - it's a bit like Blind date! If you are too busy (or feeling too sick) to hunt your own down...Rae & Lee will do their very best for you. They will send a Midwifery assessment letter to you, your GP and your chosen LMC, (once booked and confirmed on the phone).  Remember, they know us well, but ultimately, you know you best! Rae and Lee can also introduce you to GPs or Specialists.

Personal recommendation goes a long way too. Ask around. Listen to others at Parentcraft classes. If someone raves about her LMC it must be because she was just perfect for her needs - so meet her. She may not fit your particular needs though. Trust your gut instinct! Don't just pick a name from a local paper....ask yourself why they need to advertise all the time.

Five tips to end with....

This was written by an extremely biased independent midwife who has no intention of upsetting anyone in anyway.  Apologies to you if you consider your feathers ruffled!