Pregnancy Guide
The information on this page covers all the information you need to know about pregnancy, who to contact and where to go to find out more information.
Finding a Midwife
Book a Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) such as a midwife or specialist (costs involved for a specialist) as soon as possible, there is a shortage and you may have difficulty finding a Midwife after 6-8 weeks
You can find a midwife by visiting www.findyourmidwife.co.nz
Alternately book a private Obstetric Specialist in Wellington an www.wellingtonobstetrics.co.nz
If you don’t have a midwife by 9 weeks, please see your regular Doctor/ GP to arrange urgent baby scans and maternity blood tests. Please also contact as soon as possible access to the primary teams at Wellington or Hutt Hospital who will help with your antenatal care and birth.
Click here for Capital and Coast
These sites also allow you to fill in a contact form if you’re having trouble finding a midwife and provides a phone number to call for help – 0800findmw (0800 346 369)
Medical Appointments
Midwife / Specialist or hospital appointments are important to keeping baby and you well. It is important to attend all check-ups for a safer pregnancy and birth. The Midwife will check the baby’s growth and make sure you are both well. If needed, she can refer you to a hospital team or specialist
Your midwife is also “on-call” between visits for anything urgent or if you go into labour. You can call Healthline 24/7 on 0800611116, or emergency services on 111.
During early pregnancy, the Midwife will want to see you every 4-6 weeks, then fortnightly, and then weekly during the last four weeks of pregnancy. Your LMC will provide you with a way to contact them during the day and after hours.
Testing and Screening
In pregnancy your LMC will check your health with a series of urine & blood tests, and ultrasounds. More information about these can be found on Healthify.
Staying Healthy in Pregnancy
It is important to look after yourself during pregnancy. Information around nutrition, exercise, vaccinations, alcohol, smoking, medicines, sleep, your mental wellbeing, and supporting your partner in pregnancy can be found on Healthify.
For help to stop smoking/ vaping / alcohol/ drugs, call 0800 778 778. You can also find resources at Quitline.
Alcohol and Drug Helpline – 0800 787 797.
Dietary Supplements
Your Lead Maternity Carer, Doctor or specialist can prescribe supplements for you to avoid nutrient deficiencies in pregnancy.
Visit Healthify for more information about the key nutrients required during pregnancy and the recommended supplements you need.
When to Get Immediate Medical Advice
Your body will change when you are pregnant. Te Whatu Ora has tips for managing some of the common challenges, as well as a list of symptoms that need medical attention.
Eating Safely and Staying Well
Healthify has tips on how to avoid listeria. Listeria can be caught from unwashed food, like lettuce and uncooked/raw shellfish, sushi, and soft cheeses.
You may also be eligible to join a free programme, to encourage positive healthy lifestyle changes while you’re pregnant. This includes practical food and cooking workshops, physical activity support, mentoring, and more. Find out more at Healthify on green prescriptions.
Morning Sickness
If you have morning sickness and you’re unable to keep food or fluids down at all, please seek urgent advice from your Lead Maternity Carer, Doctor or Hospital Emergency Department.
You can find general information about morning sickness on Healthify.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Perinatal Depression can occur to either parent during pregnancy or within the first year of baby’s life. Talking about your feelings is the first step. You can find resources on mental health and wellbeing on Healthify. Below are some further resources and support in Wellington:
Wellington – PADA – Perinatal Anxiety & Depression
Courses | Just a Thought: Free courses for depression and anxiety, including for pregnancy wellbeing and postnatal wellbeing.
Access & Choice: Free wellbeing support for people of any age living in the greater Wellington and Wairarapa regions.
Parent Help: Free counselling for Wellington Parents. Phone 0800568856
depression.org.nz: Depression website with John Kirwan.
Kidz Need Dadz: Auckland, Wellington Christchurch based support for Fathers.
Little Shadow: Low-cost counselling, resources, group therapy.
Mothers Helpers: Providing support for mothers with ante-natal and postnatal anxiety and depression. Also provide Perinatal Depression Recovery course.
If you are concerned about family violence, these organisations can help:
- Police – 111 (if it is unsafe to speak, press 55).
- Wāhi Mārie: 0800 SAFE SPACE (0800 723 377) 9am-4pm Mon-Fri. Free sexual or family harm support health services.
- Oranga Tamariki 0508 FAMILY or 0508 326 459 free from any phone 24 hours a day, every day or see their website for more information
- Shine helpline 0508 744 633 free from any phone 24/7 or confidential live webchat.
- Women’s Refuge: 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 free from any phone, 24 hours a day, every day.
- Shakti: 0800 SHAKTI or 0800 742 584 Providing multi-language and cultural support for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and their children. 24 hours a day, every day.
- It’s Not Ok: 0800 456 450 Call free for trained counsellor support 24/7 or online chat support.
Planning your birth
Think about your choices of where and how you would like to give birth. Your Lead Maternity Carer can talk to you about your birthing options.
Some of the main choices you have to make include where to give birth (at home, at a primary birthing unit, or in hospital), options for pain relief, support person(s), birthing positions, cutting the cord, what to do with the placenta, and much more.
Visit Healthify for more information on labour and birth.
Hospital Tours
If you are birthing in a facility then look at the virtual hospital tours
Shopping for your Baby’s Needs
Shopping for your baby but unsure of what to buy? Check our suggestion on what you could buy before baby is born.