You will be able to access our maternity system free of charge as long as you intend to live here for 2 years. You may need to show a work contract as proof of intention to live here. You will have the choice of going see-whoever-is-on-shift through a hospital, or you can get your own lead maternity carer who will often do your choice of home or clinic visits for the pregnancy care and then assist delivery in hospital. Or you can home birth. All free
Where in NZ are you going? You might want to contact a midwife in your new area to book in so you don't arrive and find everyone fully booked.
Thanks Artechim His contract will only be for max 1 year, so not long enough for the 2 year requirement. What if we are there for only a short term, does it work differently? Or maybe I'll just have to get an IM and do it that way?
We'll be in Wellington - any suggestions where I can look to find a midwife?
The wording says intends. Tell them you are intending two years. If it makes you feel better, tonnes of NZ ladies move to Australia and go through the maternity system there (myself included) - it is only fair we get some back the other way There isn't really such a thing as an IM here because most of the practice midwives are independent but govt funded itms.
How far along are you? That page recommends finding a midwife before 14 weeks, so if you are close to that you should contact a few soon and see if they will save you a spot because they do book out. Otherwise you will end up going through the hospital system, which there is no problem with but it is nice to have the same midwife team for all your pregnancy, birth and post baby care. They will come for home visits for the first 6 weeks after baby
Re: Giving birth in NZ - what are my options?
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