Patient safety is our priority. Our hospitals and emergency departments will remain open. Continue to attend all appointments on the day of the strike unless we have contacted you to reschedule.
Our maternity service at Taupō Hospital is available to support you throughout all stages of your pregnancy, during childbirth and once your pēpi (baby) has been born.
The maternity service is in the main hospital building on Kotare Street. Use the entrance to the left of the main hospital entrance. There is free parking outside.
We work with you and your midwife or doctor to provide the most appropriate care for you and your baby's specific needs.
The services available at the Taupō maternity unit include:
antenatal care (outpatient)
birthing unit
postnatal care.
The Taupō maternity unit has:
2 birthing rooms, both with an ensuite bathroom and a birthing pool
3 postnatal rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
Our service is best suited to people who have had low-risk pregnancies. We can provide emergency pregnancy care to those who are visiting the Taupō area.
High-risk pregnancies
If you have a high-risk pregnancy, we may recommended you transfer to the Rotorua maternity unit for additional monitoring and care in labour and birth. If you and your pēpi are well, then you may transfer back to Taupō maternity for routine postnatal care.
Breastfeeding help and lactation consultants
All midwives are skilled in providing assistance with breastfeeding, and will help you get started.
If you are having problems breastfeeding, a lactation consultant from the Kia Wana breastfeeding service is also available to help.
Kia Wana can provide:
antenatal consultants
breastfeeding support for complex issues
home visits
weekly clinics in Rotorua, Taupō and Tūrangi
telehealth (phone and video consultations)
resources such as equipment to continue breastfeeding
other services such as support to stop smoking and safe sleep advice.
Taupō Hospital is accredited with Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative status. This means we are committed to protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding, while treating every mother with respect and supporting them with factual information.
As soon as you find out you are pregnant, it is a good idea to register for free care with a Lead Maternity Carer (LMC). This will mean you and your pēpi receive the best care from as early as possible.
If you have difficulty finding a midwife, phone 0800 Lakes Baby (0800 525 372) and they will assist you.
Newborn hearing screening
Taupō Hospital provides free hearing tests for all newborn babies. Newborn hearing screening checks if your pēpi hears well. If they have hearing loss, finding it early will help their language, learning and social development.
In Taupō, hearing tests are available by appointment on Mondays and every second Friday at the Taupō Hospital outpatient clinic.
In Tūrangi, hearing tests are available by appointment once a month at Awhi House on Hingaia Street.