Weighing 3.8kg, he arrived at 7pm on December 1.
Said happy mum KamalJeet Kaur: “The new hospital is fantastic and I was able to use the birthing pool for a water birth.
“As a first-time mum, it’s been reassuring to have midwives by our side to help settle our son. I have been very exhausted after giving birth and feeding him every few hours, but I have been getting plenty of help.
“The staff have been amazing and I have felt very taken care of.”
The community birthing unit was blessed by the hospital’s kaumātua and chaplain on Monday November 30 prior to opening that afternoon.
Said Maternity centre charge midwife Andrea Robinson: “We are very proud of our new maternity centre and staff are looking forward to welcoming māma, pēpi and whānau.”
St George’s incorporated feedback from women, their partners, lead maternity carers and staff in designing the new centre.
Said patient care manager Rae Green: “Women and LMCs asked for two birthing pools.
“A lot of women will only come to us if they know the pool is available. Having a second, purpose-built pool means more women have the option of using the pool for labouring and/or giving birth.
“The feedback from the LMCs who went through the new centre before it opened was very positive. Two pools were a big drawcard to encourage well women to receive maternity care in a community setting.
“We wanted to create a community facility to meet the needs of women, their whānau and their LMCs and we are very confident we have achieved that.
“Large rooms mean plenty of space for the māma and a cot for the pēpi, as well as a fold down sleep chair that turns into a bed for overnight stays by a partner or support person.”
