Rātā Midwives

Rātā Midwives Rata Midwives is a practice of midwives working with women and their whanau in Christchurch

We are passionate about providing good quality care to women and feel privileged to support them on this wonderful journey. We provide continuity of care throughout pregnancy , labour/birth and to six weeks after birth. We know that every woman has a unique situation and honour the cultural, ethnic and social diversity of the women with whom we work. The philosophy that underpins our work is that

pregnancy and birth are normal life events and we are committed to supporting birth as a normal process. We provide evidence-based information to assist women and their whanau to make the best decisions for their individual needs. We also see our role as supporting women to trust their bodies and find their inner strength to approach their birth with confidence. We know that the birthing environment can impact on a woman's experience and believe that for a healthy woman, birthing at home or in a primary unit (Lincoln Maternity or St George's Maternity) maximises the potential for a normal birth. We also support women to birth at Christchurch Women's Hospital when necessary.

IMPORTANT UPDATE! We have had to postpone today’s ‘ Meet The Midwife Session’We apologise for any inconvenience! Postpon...
19/02/2026

IMPORTANT UPDATE!

We have had to postpone today’s ‘ Meet The Midwife Session’

We apologise for any inconvenience!
Postponement date TBC!

Rātā Midwives ❤️

Another birth story ✨✨We had such a beautiful day, the sun was shining it was warm. I got excited about the peonies flow...
23/12/2025

Another birth story ✨✨

We had such a beautiful day, the sun was shining it was warm. I got excited about the peonies flowering for the first time this season, that felt like a sign. We spent the day as a family and Arlo and I spent the afternoon down in the native garden splashing and laughing, we got a few beautiful photos as I didn’t have any photos of you in my belly! I remember thinking of this is our last day as a family of three I would be really grateful that it was today.

I didn’t expect you to arrive, I had been having surges on and off since Monday. I knew you were making your way earthside but my body had been quiet for the last few days. I was ready for you though, we were ready for you.

I started having some light activity around 6pm and then after Arlo went to sleep I was having surges every 10 minutes. I went to bed thinking they would settle like they had been. But they started to build, I remember telling your dad to get some sleep as I think you are coming.

We thought we had a longer road ahead of us but something told me you would enter the world swiftly and relatively “on time”. By 10:30 I was surging 2 minutes apart but everything was pretty mild we still had ways to go or so we thought! We decided to call Jo and let her know what was happening but that we would call her back when we wanted her to start heading over. By 11:30 you were really starting to get ready and we called her back asking her to come.

Your dad started to get the pool ready down in the bungalow, luckily we had prepared the space and pumped up the pool a few days prior. I was in the loft surging and it was the most incredible feeling as compared to Arlos birth as I could feel your progression. I felt you start to move down, I was in the living room trying to be quiet as Arlo was sleeping and I remember rocking on my hands and knees feeling you come down the birth canal, calling for you and welcoming you as you made your way. We were dancing together that’s what it felt like…

(Continued in comments…)

Address

229 Fitzgerald Avenue
Christchurch
8011

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