Maternity and newborn — Nelson Marlborough

Information about specialist services, neonatal units and antenatal classes.

Services we provide

Your lead maternity carer (LMC) may refer you for an appointment with a specialist such as an obstetrician.

This may be because you have a medical or obstetric history that requires this level of care. Your LMC and specialist may also discuss with you who the most appropriate person is for your clinical care. With your agreement your care may be transferred to a specialist.

Nelson Hospital and Wairau Hospital have:

  • specialist obstetricians and paediatricians to provide
  • specialist consultation to women and babies
  • special care baby units nearby the maternity units, for babies who require additional care after birth
  • specialist clinics for women with medical conditions such as diabetes
  • anaesthetic services for epidural pain relief during labour
  • dedicated theatres for caesarean procedures
  • Māori cultural support services
  • translation services
  • counselling and mental health support services
  • physiotherapists
  • diabetes nurses.

Very few women and babies require specialist services provided by larger hospitals. In such cases, women and babies who require intensive care and monitoring during pregnancy and for premature birth are usually transferred to Wellington Hospital.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora in Nelson Marlborough works closely with tertiary maternity services, fetal medicine specialists and neonatal intensive care services at tertiary hospitals.

Tertiary care is specialised care often only available in a small number of places. A tertiary hospital is a hospital that provides this specialised care.

Neonatal units

Neonatal units (also known as special care baby units) at Nelson Hospital and Wairau Hospital provide comprehensive care for unwell or premature babies from the Nelson Marlborough region.

There are 10 neonatal cot spaces in Nelson Hospital and 3 in Wairau Hospital. The units are staffed by experienced neonatal nurses and specialist paediatricians.

Neonatal services

  • Care for unwell or premature babies born in Nelson Marlborough after 30 weeks gestation.
  • Transfer to Wellington neonatal intensive care unit for any baby requiring specialist services and care not provided in Nelson Marlborough.
  • Care for babies returning from a larger centre, once they are stable, for ongoing care before discharge home.
  • Specialist paediatricians provide antenatal consultation and attend the birth for women with specific risk factors – for example twin pregnancies.
  • Assessment of babies in the hospitals' postnatal wards.
  • Follow-up clinics after discharge, particularly for babies who are born prematurely or have other difficulties with growth or development.
  • Homecare nurses visit after discharge, particularly for babies who are born prematurely or have other difficulties with growth or development.

Neonatal contact information

If you have any questions regarding our service discuss this with your lead maternity carer.

You can also call Nelson Hospital to talk to the neonatal unit directly on 03 546 1800

Find a lead maternity carer

A lead maternity carer is responsible for your care throughout your pregnancy, labour and birth. They also care for you and your pēpi (baby) until pēpi is 6 weeks old.

Lead maternity carers (internal link)

If you need help finding a lead maternity carer, fill our our self-referral form.

Lead maternity carer — self-referral form

Antenatal classes in Nelson Marlborough

Classes to help you prepare for labour, birth and parenting.

Antenatal classes in Nelson Marlborough (internal link)

Preparing for you birth

Find out about pregnancy, labour and birth, and caring for your tamariki during their first 5 years.

Pregnancy and children (internal link)