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fire_engine 
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 Topic: Helensville birthing unit
Posted: 23 May 2010 at 7:46pm |
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I'm thinking about going to Helensville after Festus is born, mostly cos of traumatic postnatal memories from Waitak.
Has anyone been? From reading the old threads, it sounds fab.
On the website, they say DHs can stay one night, though I've heard through the grapevine that they can stay the whole time - does anyone know?
Has anyone not been able to transfer there (as planned) cos it was full?
Any other experiences you'd like to share ....
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Mum to two wee boys
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weegee
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Posted: 23 May 2010 at 8:06pm |
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I'll ask my mw when I next see her about the DH staying thing - I'm there every couple of weeks atm cos that's where my antenatal appointments all are. I do know there are times when they've had to turn away a mum or two but they don't happen very often.
I know lovingmummyhood spent some time there...
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Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010
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fire_engine
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Posted: 23 May 2010 at 8:33pm |
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Ta. One of the old threads said they only have 3 mums at a time, so there is always help available. In which case, it might not matter so much if DH couldn't stay - one of my issues from Waitak was the lack of support in the early hours of the morning. And I see the advantage to him sleeping at home and getting a full nights sleep in preparation for us coming home ....
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bext1
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Posted: 24 May 2010 at 7:16pm |
You need to go on their website and get a referral form, your MW then fills in her bit and you post it up to Helensville.
They send you back a letter to let you know they can take you, but in the letter it says that if they are full up then they won't be able to accommodate you, as there is just the three rooms
http://www.birthcentre.co.nz/
this is the website :)
I am planning on going there from Waitakere after this baby decides to make an appearance. And everybody I know that has been there has loved it. 
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fire_engine
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Posted: 24 May 2010 at 7:56pm |
Thanks. I've got the form ready for the MW on Weds! It looks lovely and a nice gentle place to recover. And no hospital food - how good is that 
FX there's no PPH this time to keep me in hospital
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lovingmummyhood
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Posted: 24 May 2010 at 9:02pm |
Hi Flissty 
Helensville was awesome!! I didn't want to leave lol. Support is there 24/7. The food is GREAT!! And its there when you want it (not served at set times). DH stayed the whole time too.
Depending on how busy they are when you're due... we were meant to go up straight after DS was born (at Waitak) but ended up having our first night in hosp as someone had turned up there in labour. Those birthing there have right of way, then Helensville residents over 'out of towners' iykwim? A lady from Henderson didn't end up getting to go at the same time as me because I bumped her, being from the area, even though her baby was born before mine.
Any other questions feel free to PM me.
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MrsEmma
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Posted: 24 May 2010 at 9:46pm |
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A friend of mine has stayed there after both of her births (at Waitakere) and she can't speak highly enough of it. She said the support was fantastic and she didn't want to leave!
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Chops1975
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Posted: 16 June 2010 at 6:59pm |
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This is such good news ladies
I was planning to go there with my last pregnancy (ended up mc) and when I had a little look, really liked it a lot!
I'm from Helensville so sorry if I bump anybody out in the (hopefully NEAR) future
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bext1
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Posted: 16 June 2010 at 7:41pm |
You will love it. I just spent two nights there and it was fabulous. Way easier to recover when you don't have the interruptions like you would in the hospital
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fire_engine
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Posted: 16 June 2010 at 7:46pm |
We're all enrolled, just have to make sure no locals bump us and that I have a boring delivery.
Esther, how did you get your DH to stay? The letter they sent out repeatedly said "partners can only stay the first night" - did you just ask them when you got there or did they tell you that he could stay longer?
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lovingmummyhood
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Posted: 16 June 2010 at 8:23pm |
Did the letter say 'can only stay the first night'? I think ours said 'are welcome to stay the first night' which could easily mean the same thing - its all in how you read it lol.
We didn't ask, just figured that he would stay until asked to leave (which we figured would be when the night person came on) but it didn't happen so he just stayed  
I know that when they're busy they have let the partner stay to be an extra support for the mum, especially if its not their first baby.
No harm in asking
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myfullhouse
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Posted: 16 June 2010 at 8:46pm |
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DH didn't stay as he was at home with Jack. But my Bro stayed at least 2 nights (or maybe the whole time) with SIL. Basically he made sure he was useful and they were happy to have him there, if the DH is a pain in the backside they will ask him to leave after the first night apparently.
I enjoyed my stay there, not sure if I would go next time though due to the distance that DH had to travel. Although a friend who was there the same time as me had her DH and DS1 staying at a local B&B which was a great idea
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fire_engine
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Posted: 16 June 2010 at 9:32pm |
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Yeah, if DH can stay, then it's all good, but if he can't then it might not be worth it. I'd also heard the "they'll kick him out if he's a PITA or if mum wants him out but they'll keep him if he's good" line - will double check with MW.
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kymme
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Posted: 17 June 2010 at 9:59am |
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its really nice there been up there abit my midwife runs the clinics there alongside the others and has given me the option to go and stay there for upto 3 nights with dh but im not sure yet as id prefer to get home with my other 2 children:) she said dh was aloud to stay the whole time as well :)
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Chops1975
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Posted: 17 June 2010 at 2:53pm |
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kymme, who's your mw?
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kymme
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Posted: 17 June 2010 at 11:29pm |
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Chops1975 heidi copland
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mybeautiful3
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Posted: 18 June 2010 at 3:57pm |
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Kymme - I was a Doula at a birth where Heidi was the m/w - can;t speak highly enough of her-a wonderful, supportive & caring person to be around during labour!
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Just  my job as a Birth Doula!
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Chops1975
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Posted: 19 June 2010 at 9:29am |
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I've only heard good things about Heidi, last time she did not have a space left for me though so she referred me to her colleague....let's see if next time she will be free on my due date..
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fire_engine
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Posted: 19 June 2010 at 3:58pm |
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And another question ......
Do they supply nappies for bubs and pads for mum?
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Mum to two wee boys
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myfullhouse
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Posted: 19 June 2010 at 8:17pm |
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Yes they supply flats nappies and covers for baby and they supply pads for Mum. If you want to use disposables you will have to take your own
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Helensville birthing unit
