Baby Mia slept peacefully in her Moses basket at her parents’ home in Northlake this afternoon (Monday August 19), unaware that she was the poster baby for Wānaka’s new primary birthing unit, Rākai Kahukura.

Mia was the first baby born at the unit, a little over two weeks after Rākai Kahukura opened its doors to expecting families.

She was delivered on Wednesday August 12 to parents Caroline Gray and Michael Warwick, with the help of midwife Peta Hosking and student midwife Emily.

“It was so quick,” Caroline told the Wānaka App. “We just popped down the road, got settled in the centre, and did the breathing...” 

Caroline said labour had kicked in around 5pm at their home on August 12. Within three hours things had progressed and they made the call to travel five minutes along the road to Rākai Kahukura. By 11pm, Mia was in their arms.

“I have to admit, this experience has been enjoyable. I’m incredibly grateful,” Caroline said. 

It was markedly different from the birth of their son Hayden, two, who was born in Dunedin Hospital after a three-week stay at a Dunedin AirBnB for Michael (and their dogs), and in hospital for Caroline, after it was found that the baby had moved into an unstable birthing position.

“When Hayden was born we didn’t have continuity with our midwives,” Caroline said. “And it’s made just such a difference to this whole first week, and the birth, and the [family] bubble, to stay in Wānaka, be at home, have our actual midwife.”

“I’m so excited for other mums to have that going forward, as someone who didn’t get it the first time.” 

This time around, Michael and Hayden stayed at home in Northlake and “bounced back and forwards” between home and the birthing unit, allowing Hayden’s routine to be maintained and making the transition easier.

“It’s the best outcome we could have hoped for,” Michael said.

Like many Wānaka parents, Michael and Caroline don’t have their own parents close by, which made the birthing unit even more valuable. Caroline said when she heard the opening date was to be July 29 she sat at the kitchen bench and wept with happiness.

She acknowledged the “decades of rallying” by midwives and mothers to advocate for the unit, while women faced uncertainty around outcomes and options - including an hour’s drive to the Charlotte Jean birthing unit in Alexandra, or more than three hours’ to the base hospital in Dunedin.

Caroline said Wānaka was fortunate to have experienced midwives and lots of services to support families. 

“Now the centre [has come in] - that one thing [will] lift it all up a level. I hope the other mums and dads can just lean into it. It’s finally come.”

Caroline said it has been “a big year” for the couple, who returned to Wānaka after a few years away.

“This is the little cherry on the top to be able to have our daughter here in town.”

Rākai Kahukura, on Albert Town’s Monteith Street, is able to support “at least” 50 births and approximately 350-400 families each year, Te Whatu Ora Southern director of midwifery Karen Ferraccioli told the Wānaka App at a pre-opening event last month.

The birthing unit supports low-risk, non-instrumental births; has options for post-natal stays closer to home; and provides early childhood services for 0-5 year olds including vaccinations. 

PHOTO: Wānaka App