Thames Birthing Unit

412 Mary Street, Thames

Opening January 2011

Brand new facilities, private rooms and relaxing outdoor areas are just some of the exciting improvements that Thames-Coromandel women can look forward to when this new unit opens next year.

Currently the only birthing facility in the Thames-Coromandel region is inside Thames Hospital, in old, adapted ward space that lacks privacy and ensuite facilities.

Thames Birthing Unit will be a huge improvement and a much more inviting place for women giving birth.

Inside Thames Birthing Unit:

• Three bedrooms for postnatal stay
• Two birthing rooms
• Birthing pool
• Breastfeeding room
• Patient lounge
• Outdoor areas.
  

Each bedroom and birthing room will have its own ensuite.

Download the Thames Maternity Booklet for more information about maternity and family services in the Thames-Coromandel area and a list of midwives available.

Primary birthing

Thames Birthing Unit, a primary birthing facility, is for natural, low-risk births under midwifery care.

The unit will not offer medical interventions like epidurals or caesarean sections.

If you require secondary care, your midwife will have planned this with you as part of your birth plan discussion.

The vast majority of births are normal and only a small number of women require intervention.

In the event of any complications, your midwife will work within strict referral guidelines and transfer you to secondary care at Waikato Hospital in Hamilton.

The unit will be a midwife-led for low-risk births and Waikato Hospital will continue to provide specialist, secondary maternity care when and if required.