anwanti

My family and I are moving to New Zealand in February 2008, we have a young daughter who is 2 years old. I will be 6 months pregnant when I arrive and will need to find as quick as possible a doctors and check the hospitals out.

Can anyone give me some advice on the NZ Healthcare, and their 1st time experience after moving to New Zealand.

We will be living in the East of Auckland when we first arrive.

Many thanks

Jude J

Hello. Congratulations! You have a busy year ahead of you!
My daughter was born here, its was a bit different to UK, here you get yourself a midwife who you see every month until the last month when you go weekly. My husband found mine, I think he just looked in the phone book and picked one!
If you do need to see the doctor it is free when it is maternity related.
The midwife was free. Scans cost $30 for the first one then we paid $70 for the others.
The hospital (North Shore hosp)was great, I was only there a few hours as I just wanted to go home after. My midwife made me eat toast and have a shower before letting me out though!

I think you will be at Middlemore hospital, but Sarah B will be on at some point, she had her daughter there last year so she will have more info for you.

I found it to be a lovely experience, I have quite a gap between my older two children and I was a bit concerned about being a 'mature' mum to be, but it was all great.

Maz

On a slightly different note (congratulations on your pregnancy, btw! ) how are you entering New Zealand? If you are coming in as Permanent Residents your newborn will automatically be a citizen of NZ, otherwise not. Definitely something to check on.

anwanti

We are entering NZ, with permanent residency visa's.

JAJ

Then your child will be a New Zealand citizen by birth. As far as I know this should be documented on the birth certificate.

What country are you from? The child may (or may not) also have one or both parent's nationalities.

SarahB

Sorry, Ive been MIA for a while, just seem to be too busy or too tired to be online much at the moment.

I had my son 4 years ago in the UK, I had an awful experience and vowed to everyone Id never have any more kids. I had my daughter in January this year after too-ing and fro-ing about having any more. After the problems with DS I insisted this time that I had a planned c-section. My midwife was 100% supportive of my decision and listened to my concerns. I was referred to a specialist up at EastCare (in Botany)... he tried to talk me out of it but hey he was a man, what does he know? lol. He didnt change my mind and I went through with the c-section. Everyone at Middlemore was brilliant, I got transferred to Botany Maternity Unit after a day or so, they are so good there, I have nothing but praise for everyone concerned. I also chose not to Breastfeed and everyone was supportive of my decision too, I never had any negative comments unlike back in the UK.

The whole experience here was great. HTH and pm me if you want any more details. We live East of Auckland, whereabouts are you going to be living? Theres some pleasant beaches here, and plenty of parks for the kids.... also the weather is pretty mild all year round.

dreamfish

just check you can get travel insurance to cover pregnancy at 6 months.

I used Post Office for one way travel insurance, and they cover pre-existing conditions such as pregnancy and hypertension. They were also very cheap. They covered one way travel, over 3 days (so door to door), family of 4, about £26.

They did ask how pregnant I was, and in my case was just under couple months. I think past 4 months they will want to see notes from your doctor that you are safe to travel.

Dont think they would worry as much if you were popping over to Spain.... its the long haul thing and you are more prone to DVT.

HTH, Kate.