Bethlehem Birthing Centre
On this page
- Welcome to Bethlehem Birthing Centre
- Benefits of birthing in a birthing centre
- What we provide
- What to bring
- Visiting hours and how to get in touch
- Frequently Asked Questions
- We would love your feedback
Welcome to Bethlehem Birthing Centre
Congratulations on your pregnancy!
Having a pēpi/baby is one of life’s most wonderful experiences. Whether this is your first pēpi/baby or your fourth, we aim to make your birth experience the best it can be.
You can choose to birth at our centre, or transfer from Tauranga Hospital for your postnatal stay.
Our staff provide 24-hour maternity care and support for you and your pēpi/baby, ensuring your first few days as a new māmā/mother are as supported as possible.
Your Midwife/Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) coordinates and plans the care of you and your baby. If you haven't decided on your carer please visit findyourmidwife.co.nz | Bay of Plenty .
We look forward to having you stay with us.
Benefits of birthing in a birthing centre
Birthing in a primary setting offers many benefits to māmā including:
- Fewer interventions – you are more likely to have a normal birth
- Shorter labour: pain medication can mean wāhine/women do not feel their contractions and may miss opportunities to work with the rhythms of their bodies
- Facilitating breastfeeding: pēpi/babies born without intervention are more alert and show more interest in breastfeeding
- Faster recovery and more endorphins
- Being more present in the moment
- Feeling empowered
“Women who are experiencing normal pregnancies should be offered the option and encouraged to give birth in primary maternity facilities or at home. The evidence clearly demonstrates that women who receive effective antenatal care and are assessed to be at low risk for complications, will give birth to healthy babies and need fewer interventions if they are supported to give birth in a primary maternity unit or at home.”
- New Zealand College of Midwives
As a primary birthing unit, our centre is not a hospital or clinical setting, which means we don't use medical interventions or drugs. Entonox (gas) is available.
What we provide
We provide 24-hour care and support in a nurturing environment for you and your pēpi/baby.
Our centre is a calm and supportive space for you to birth, we offer flexible choices to make your experience the best that it can be.
Our centre has 12 comfortable rooms, each having an ensuite, queen bed and smart TV (containing helpful educational content).
The baths in each room can be used for water births.
We also have a kitchen and comfortable lounge area.
Partners are welcome to stay.
All meals are provided for māmā/mum’s breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Breakfast is available in the communal kitchen for you to help yourself when you are ready.
- Lunches and dinners are provided in your room.
- Snacks provided.
- Dietary requirements can be catered to with notice.
We encourage you to come on one of our tours, no appointment necessary.
Tours run on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2pm
Meet in reception
What to bring
We provide sanitary pads, and a starter pack of six disposable nappies.
For māmā/mum
Toiletries, nightwear, underwear and clothes.
For pēpi/baby
You must have a capsule or car seat so you can take your pēpi/ baby home safely.
Singlets, nightgowns, onesies, booties/socks, hat, cardigan, disposable nappies, wipes, warm clothes, and blanket for going home.
Our centre provides medical and general baby supplies (basic pain relief, sanitary pads, and disposable nappies) all of which are included as part of our service.
Please ensure you have some woollen items, especially if you are transferring from Tauranga Hospital, and for when you travel home.
Please note: pēpi/ babies must always travel in a car seat. It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with how to safely use your car seat as per manufacturers instruction before pēpi baby is born.
Our staff provide any support that is required for breastfeeding. If you are not planning on breast feeding, please bring everything you will be using at home with you. Infant formula is available if required for medical reasons only.
Visiting hours and how to get in touch
To respect and support new māmā/mums in getting the rest they need our visiting hours are from 2pm-8pm.
We are located at 1 Te Paeroa Road, Bethlehem Tauranga.
Directions to Bethlehem Birthing Centre
Ph (07) 570 6106
Email Logging.BBC@bopdhb.govt.nz
We ask that visitors (apart from partners and your other tamariki/children) support and respect new parents and not disturb by entering a room that has signage stating parents resting.
Partners and your other tamariki/children are able to visit outside of these hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Once you have birthed, postnatal care is funded for up to 48 hours.
If you transfer from Tauranga Hospital, the hours there are included in your postnatal stay.
If you birth at Tauranga Hospital, you may be able to transfer to the birthing centre for your postnatal stay.
Each wāhine/woman is different but if you have had a normal vaginal birth you can expect to transfer within 3-5 hours.
If you have had a caesarean section, it can be longer but usually within 24-48 hours.
The decision is made with your Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) and, when you are ready to transfer, staff at Tauranga Hospital will arrange that transfer.
We would love your feedback
We are committed to providing continued excellence in the health and wellbeing of people in our care, we truly value your feedback.
If you wish to make a compliment, suggestion or raise concerns about any aspect of our service or facilities, you can do this by Logging.BBC@bopdhb.govt.nz contacting us or filling out the feedback form during your stay.
Related information/resources