An Auckland midwife says the number of women needing intervention while giving birth is likely to go up after it was announced Birthcare Auckland would be closing its three primary birthing suites from the end of December.
From December 31, the primary maternity hospital said it would be moving its focus to providing post-natal stays for new mothers, newborns and whānau.
Evolution Healthcare, which owns Birthcare, said low monthly bookings were the primary reason behind the closure of the suites. Birthcare saw just four births in September, where pre-Covid numbers sat at around 30 to 40 per month.
In a statement yesterday, Auckland lead maternity carer Jasmone Russek called the closure of the suites “another blow to women’s health and their maternity options”, leaving some to choose between a home birth or one in hospital.
On Breakfast this morning, Russek said the lack of a primary birthing option would likely see more women needing interventions. Interventions include caesarean section (c-section), forceps, and episiotomy, among other options.
“We know that the evidence is there that supports primary birthing as reducing interventions and increasing the chances of vaginal delivery,” she said.
“By forcing women to give birth in the hospital or at home and reducing that intermediate option, I think we’re going to see a lot more intervention.”
In the statement, Russek said hospital was “not the best place” for women who were well to give birth.
“It is a vitally important place for those with risk factors or complications, and that’s who should have access to those resources,” she said.
“We actually need more investment in primary maternity as this will mean less intervention in the birth process which means less cost to the health system. It’s also better for the mum and baby so it’s a win-win.”
The New Zealand College of Midwives also challenged the closure of the suites. It said Evolution had not effectively engaged with the community, midwives, or the hospital and “doesn’t appreciate the importance” of primary birthing as a key choice for pregnant women.
“Staffing is a challenge, as we all know, but it is not insurmountable,” its chief executive Alison Eddy said.
“The development of our new birthing unit in Christchurch which opened earlier this year came after a lot of hard and focused proactive work including engaging with the community, the midwives, and the main hospital to ensure this key part of the maternity service could open and operate effectively — which it does.”
Health officials respond
Evolution Healthcare said it had worked with Health NZ Te Whatu Ora to “ascertain the best pathway for new mothers and newborns”.
“We feel that by focussing on high-quality post-natal care, we will provide for an extremely positive Birthcare experience while expanding our offering to mothers from the broader Northern region,” Evolution Healthcare Group chief executive Simon Keating said.
Health NZ’s Te Toka Tumai director of midwifery Deborah Jane Pittam reassured expectant mothers that the agency was prepared for any potential increase in births.
“Health NZ understands that choosing the right place to give birth is an important decision,” she said.
“We will continue to support parents through a range of birthing options, whether this in hospital, at a primary birthing unit or at home with a Lead Maternity Carer.
“We appreciate the contribution of Birthcare Auckland, who has provided primary birthing facilities across Auckland for many years. We will continue to work alongside them as they provide high quality postnatal care for whānau in the Northern Region.
“This means new mothers and their babies will still be able to make use of Birthcare’s postnatal facilities once clinically stable.”