Pregnancy resources and links

COVID-19 is a illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a type of coronavirus. The guidance is based on what is currently known about COVID-19.

More information about COVID-19:

COVID-19 website 

COVID-19: information for visitors to CCDHB

COVID- 19: MOH Information for pregnant women, and those who have recently given birth 

COVID-19: MOH information on breastfeeding and those who have recently given birth

New Zealand College of Midwives (NZCOM) information about COVID-19 for pregnant women and mothers

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) information for pregnant women

World Health Organisation (WHO) advice on pregnancy and breastfeeding

Some GPs use an online service called ManageMyHealth which is a secure website which can receive your health information. Ask your GPs practice if they use this system. Find out more on the ManageMyHealth website.

The Department of Internal Affairs, along with several other government agencies including the Ministry of Health, have created an online service called SmartStart.

SmartStart is an online tool for parents that makes it easy for them to access government services and support during pregnancy, and the first years of their new baby.

SmartStart provides users with integrated information about services provided by a range of agencies to help parents check that they’re not missing out on financial help and provides tips on keeping parents and baby healthy and safe.

The Neonatal Trust provides support to families of premature or sick full-term babies as they make their journey through neonatal care, the transition home, and onwards.

Find out more about the Neonatal Trust here. 

In Wellington the Neonatal Trust Office and Shop is located just inside the entrance to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Level 4, Wellington Regional Hospital.

Plunket

Plunket provides support services for the development, health and wellbeing of children under 5 years old. For more information visit Plunket's website. 

Or phone PlunketLine - available 24/7 on 0800 933 922.

SKIP: strategies with kids, information for parents

Whakatipu is a kaupapa that encourages strong whānau connections which nurture and develop tamariki. Tikanga and pakiwaitara are interwoven with child development information, ideas and activities for whānau.

Find out more on SKIP's website.

Parent help Wellington

The only designated free national parenting helpline in New Zealand that is available from 9am to 11pm, 7 days a week. Find out more on the Parent Help website or phone 0800 568 856.

The Parenting Place

Early Years Toolbox Parenting courses for 0 to 6 years. This course that runs over 6 weeks and covers everything from behaviour management techniques to ways of creating great family memories.

Find out more on the Parenting Place website.

Space

A programme for first time parents and babies with weekly sessions covering a variety of topics such as sleeping, teething, temperament, childhood illnesses with play sessions with age-appropriate equipment to support infants' learning and development. It's also an opportunity to meet other new parents. Centres are throughout Wellington.

Find out more about the Space programme.

Tapuaki: Pacific pregnancy and parenting information

Here you will find information about pregnancy and parenting to help you stay safe and healthy during your pregnancy and to care for your baby when he or she arrives. Learn about what you, your partner and/or family can do to ensure the mother and baby are healthy, find links to different services and resources such as videos, and read stories written by other parents about their experiences in Tala (story) Tapuaki. The information is available in several different Pacific languages by clicking on the flags at the top right of the website.

There is also a Tapuaki app available on Google Play and iTunes.

Visit http://www.tapuaki.org.nz.

Download the Tapuaki app to find a midwife or to see what baby looks like week by week.

Support for parents of twins, triplets or more

Wellington Multiple Birth Club provides support, information and resources.

Support for parents of children with special needs

Parent to Parent is a nationwide not-for-profit organisation that was formed in 1983 to support the families of babies, children, teens and adults with any type of disability or health impairment.

Find out more on the Parent to Parent website.

Postnatal and Antenatal Distress support

Support groups and a range of other services are available.

Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Aotearoa (PADA) website. It has information for pregnant women, new mothers, new fathers and families affected by depression or anxiety around pregnancy and a new baby. It also has a comprehensive list of support helplines and services.

Please see https://pada.nz/about-us/ 

Little Shadow offers counselling, support and information for those experiencing perinatal distress. We walk beside you in your journey, working collaboratively with health professionals and other organisations to help you on your journey to wellness.

PO Box 9362 Marion Square, Wellington 6141

p. 04 472 3135
e. hello@littleshadow.org.nz
w. www.littleshadow.org.nz

Wellington Women's Refuge

Women's Refuge is an organisation for women and their children to help prevent and stop family violence in New Zealand.

Visit the Women's Refuge website.

Crisisline: toll free from anywhere in New Zealand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843.

When your baby keeps on crying

One of the hardest times can be when your baby keeps on crying and you can’t work out why. If you find yourself getting upset, it’s OK to put your baby down gently in a safe place, walk away and take a break.

Do not pick up your baby until you have calmed down. Your baby is more likely to calm down when you are feeling calm and in control.

Look after yourself. Make a cup of tea or coffee, or phone a friend or someone in your whānau.

You could also phone PlunketLine on 0800 933 922 or Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice or support.

Never shake a baby

Never, ever shake a baby. Never leave a baby alone with anyone who may lose control. A single moment of losing control may damage a baby forever. Babies can die if they are shaken.

If you ever think your baby has been hurt, call 111. Don’t let fear or pride stand in your way. It could save your baby’s life.

The Kidshealth website has a video called Power to Protect about how to cope with the stress of a baby’s crying and what can happen if a baby is shaken.

Related websites

Crying: what to do – Kidshealth
Why babies cry and what you can do about it.

Shaken baby syndrome – Kidshealth
Why you should never shake a baby. Also includes the Power to Protect video.