Pls help -emigrating to NZ whilst preg

Hi I would start contacting mw's now so that they can put you on their books ready for when you come out. Also if you can't find an independent mw then the hospital mw team will look after you but it just means that you wouldn't see the same one each time you have a check up and for your labour you would get whichever one was on shift (but you would hopefully have met her before hand).
I'm originally from the Uk and although I haven't given birth there my sister has and so has three of my SILs and some friends and quite frankly I am extremely pleased that I haven't had to go through what they did because their level of care was just shocking. NZ has it's faults but on the whole it is a damn site better than the UK.

I haven't used wellington hospital so can't speak for that particular one but I am sure others will post who have and can let you know what it's really like (rather than the media hype).

Congratulations on the baby and you won't regret moving here

I had my twins at wellington hospital last year and I was very impressed and happy with the hospital staff. I spent 2.5 weeks in the maternity ward and the girls had a 10 day stay in NICU.

The bad press was down to the hospital being understaffed. I never felt like I was being pushed out, in fact when they discharged me, 5 days after c-sect, and then gave me a bed upstairs in a closed ward so I could stay close to my daughters while they were in NICU.

I had my own MW but was under the Obstetrics team at the hospital as well and I found the care to be great. Yes you don't get the same person each time but you are still looked after.

A friend of mine moved to Welly when she was 20weeks pregnant I know she managed to find a MW but it just took time.

Here is a link for some
Wellington Midwives
Do you know what part of Wellington you'll be based in? There are lots of options for Antenatal classes and if you know where you'll be based then it'd be a good way to meet people.

I moved here from Ireland 3.5 years ago, so I know it's quite daunting relocating so far.
If you have any questions or want a friendly face ( or 3) to visit when you arrive let me know

Hi Jenny, Welcome to Oh Baby! and congrats on your pregnancy .

I had both my daughters and Wellington Hospital and whilst it is not the Hilton it was fine and that was the old wing - you will get to use the new one. I chose to have an OB who had his own midwives but he is no longer in private practice so I can help there but I would second what ShelleyBR said about Parent Centre. We did anti-natal classes through Wellington South Parent Centre and I have made some wonderful friends - when we were having Amy none of our friends had children so it was a whole unknown area! 5 of us are still meet up once a week for the kids to play and for us to have a catch up and we are going out fpr dinner on Friday to celebrate surviving 3 years of parenthood .

Here is the link to the parent centre website if you are interested - it is not only informative but also a great way to meet other new parents in your area.
link

Let us know when you get here .

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for all your response. It's reassuring to hear your positive views about Wellington hospitial. Although i'd prefer to see the same midwife it wouldn't be the end of the world if i had a different one each time.

Tishy - We haven't decided where in Wellington we will be yet, I'd love to live in Oriental Bay but think it might be more than we can stretch too, especiall as we've agreed that it's not worth me trying to find work. we'll be staying in a serviced appartment for a couple of weeks and then I'd like to look around Kelburn and Hubby wants to live in Wadestown (any views on areas are v welcome) I guess they are both in the north so i could go ahead and sign up for some antenatal classes. given i wont have any family near by I'm keen to find some fellow mums to be who can help stop me from going insane! It would be great to meet up and see some friendly faces. Thanks so much x

Sassy - best of luck with your move . Great advice thanks. I'll drop you an email separately