Testimonials
“In July when our little guy was born by emergency caesarean we were fortunate enough to stay at the Helensville Birthing Centre for three nights. It felt like we were there for a week and came home confident thanks to all the wonderful staff who not only looked after us but nourished me and taught me so many little tips and tricks to help establish a happy breastfeeding relationship with my baby. I arrived still in shock and not really knowing what I was doing as a first-time mum and the gentle care and encouragement I was given in the most respectful way was priceless. When we first arrived we were advised to treat the place like Grandma’s house and from the very beginning, I was comfortable. I felt like I was staying with family — as if a group of aunties were there for me to help with anything. I asked so many questions and left armed with a wealth of knowledge. It really was the very best start for our wee family and I am very thankful to all the staff.”
Victoria Gardner
Dec 2020
I feel so lucky that we have such a wonderful resource as the Helensville Birthing Centre in our community. Also that we have such amazing, hardworking, passionate and caring midwives and lactation consultants to support us. The anti natal class run by the birth centre was very interesting and informative and both Renee and Debbie did a great job of teaching. I’m very grateful that Michelle, Emma and Fiona supported me to have a home birth like I wanted to. Both Steve and I were blown away with how fantastic they all were. It was the most challenging and intense experience of my life and along with Steve they were the best support people I could have wished for. And Elsie is the best reward. Then staying at the birth centre was such a fantastic experience. It’s so great how it’s set up so that both parents can be together and get to know the baby and learn about being parents in a caring supportive environment. It was good being away from home and the normal stresses and responsibilities of everyday life so we could just focus on the baby. I love how the baby bed is attached to the parent’s bed and it’s so comforting knowing that there is always someone just a phone call away if you need help or have a question. The lactation consultants have all been extremely helpful. Renee, Debbie and Marie (and Michelle) have all helped me so much with breastfeeding Elsie, giving advice on all aspects, identifying that she had some stiff neck muscles so we were able to take her to the osteopath and also that she had a tongue tie which we were able to get fixed at the birth centre as well. It’s my wish to exclusively breast feed Elsie and being given the tools (such as the lact-aide and nipple shields) and strategies to do so when it’s been difficult is empowering and has helped me achieve my goal. It’s still a work in progress, but it’s reassuring knowing that if I ever need more help I can return to the lactation consultants. It was also fantastic having home visits from Michelle, Emma and Renee. They were really helpful with good advice and suggestions. The encouragement especially meant a lot to me. I never felt rushed or that any question I asked was a silly one. I felt respected and supported to make my own decisions. I really don’t know what I would have done without everyone’s support – we couldn’t have asked for better outcomes for Elsie’s birth, after birth care, and breastfeeding support. Thanks so much everyone. You all do such an amazing job and you deserve to be recognised for what a great start you give to babies and their new parents.
Amy Fletcher
Dec 2020
“When I found out Helensville had a birthing centre I knew straight away that I wanted to have my first baby there. What a fantastic facility we have — a beautiful large birthing room with a birthing pool, queen sized bed and lovely aftercare rooms all with ensuites. I had requested in my birth plan a dark quiet room and when I arrived it was just that — welcoming, warm & dark. It was 9pm and I couldn’t wait to get into the birthing pool that was being filled. The feeling of warmth and weightlessness was amazing and I’d highly recommend it to all mothers to be. At 11:34pm and completely drug free, I lifted my baby girl, Indiana out of the water; she was the best Father’s Day gift I could ever give to my partner, Trent. Shortly after, I was transferred to my lovely, spacious, home-away-from-home bedroom. Our visitors commented on how wonderful it was. The staff were so helpful, the food was excellent and it was amazing having the support of the lactation consultants there. If you’re able to, choose Helensville Birthing Centre — it’s a real treasure and I’m certain it helped me to have a short, smooth birth as I felt so safe and comfortable.”
Cherienne Brown
Dec 2020
Hi Michelle (and other staff), Since I had my baby at Helensville Birthing centre in May this year I have been asked by many people about my experience birthing at the unit. I am always very pleased to tell them it was the most positive, relaxed birth with the best support both for the birth and the following few days of aftercare. Before I had met my midwife and visited the Birthing unit I had expected to have my baby in a Hospital and most likely have an epidural as Labour would be the horrible painful experience were told it is but a thing you must do to get your baby. However, using hypnobirthing techniques and being surrounded by calm supportive midwifes in a nurturing environment I now feel that giving birth is a natural part of life, not a medical procedure that requires hospitalisation (assuming there are no pre-existing issues). I owe so much to the the Helensville Birthing Centre and the team of midwives/ lactation consultants and staff at the centre. The 24 hour support helped me and my husband to have a really positive birth and the days after were invaluable. I would recommend giving birth at Helensville and perhaps even more importantly for mothers to spend a couple of days in the centre to learn how to feed and care for their baby with help so readily available. I feel all midwives operating in the area should be encouraging new mothers especially to spend time in the centre as 2 days of education and support can have a profound effect on the next several months and in all likelyhood the rest of their lives. Thank you again
Johanna Sorensen
Dec 2020
I was incredibly thankful to be able to birth my second child at the Helensville Birthing Centre in November 2015. The support I received while there, to be able to establish our breastfeeding journey was amazing. A tongue tie was very quickly discovered, we were given options of different people to contact to get it released, and when we got it released when he was two days old, we were supported back at the birth centre to ensure we were continuing to latch as comfortably as possible. My absolute favourite thing about staying at the Helensville Birthing Centre is having the support to establish breastfeeding in those crucial early days. There’s help on call any time it’s needed and even if it’s just a quick check to identify whether or not a latch is correct, or help with more serious issues like ties, sleepy babies that won’t feed etc, you are never made to feel like your queries are pointless. When we left the birth centre after staying for a few days, although feeding was still uncomfortable due to the damage done before my sons tongue tie was released, I could leave feeling confident that we were doing everything to the best of our ability, ties had been checked and released, latch was exactly as it should be for optimal comfort and we were well on our way towards a successful breastfeeding journey. So thankyou to my midwife Michelle, and all the amazing staff at the Helensville Birthing Centre for everything you do to support great breastfeeding relationships with the families in our community!
Esther Kern
Dec 2020
“We feel really lucky to have been given the opportunity to stay at the Helensville Birth Centre following our first baby’s birth which didn’t go to plan at all and ended up an emergency C-section at Waitakere Hospital. The expert care, attention and empathy we received at the Birth Centre turned what had been a bit of a traumatic start into a really lovely and memorable experience. Having my partner Jake able to stay overnight with me was really special and a great way to begin our life as a family of three. Everything, from the fabulous and plentiful food, to the comfortable rooms and ensuites to the 24-hour support with baby and breastfeeding — we’d recommend this place in a heartbeat. Our second baby is now due and we’re already looking forward to staying there again to ensure we can bank some rest before heading home with a newborn.”
Michelle Gimblett
Dec 2020
Six years on and I still fondly remember arriving at Helensville birthing centre after an emergency C-section with Avera. A very jaded, but blissfully happy little family. There was a 24 hour support system given by the staff- they ensured a successful latch, ease of pain, and a comfortable Co-sleep, it was beautiful. The staff empower not only mothers but also fathers with their knowledge and kindness. I recommend to all and will forever be grateful for the lessons, sleep and healing I received at the little sanctuary, Love from Lisa and Avera Anderson.
Lisa And Avera Anderson
Dec 2020
Being the nervy, worried person that I am, Helensville birthing unit was not where I first planned to birth my baby girl. However, the further my pregnancy progressed, the more I grew to absolutely love my midwife Michelle Nasey and most importantly trust her whole heartedly. Consequently, I ended up choosing to give birth at Helensville birthing unit and I am so grateful I did. From the start of my labour to the time I left 3 days post- birth, my partner and I received nothing but full guidance and support from every single member of the team there. Being first time parents, we didn’t quite know what to expect, especially when it came to breastfeeding. I had herd it was a beautiful experience, that it was the best for your child, that it was time consuming and sometimes challenging, but nothing prepared me for how hard it really was going to be. The pain, the cracked and bleeding nipples and the feeling of failure when I realised it was in fact, not just popping my baby on the breast. It would have been much easier to throw in the towel, however with the reassurance from the midwifes at the birthing unit, I knew that with a bit of time and support we could get there in the end. Day and night, I was able to ask for help whenever I needed, I was shown lots of different techniques, I was recommended lots of remedies to help with the pain and when it all became a little too much I was reassured of how much progress we had made and the wonderful job I was doing. After plenty of persistence, lots of tears, an amazing effort from my little girl and over flowing support from the team at the Helensville Birthing Centre, we got there in the end. With their endless smiles, professionalism, guidance and reassuring words , the ladies there made me feel like I was doing an amazing job the whole time and got me threw a very hard time. For this, I am so very thankful and even more grateful that we have such an amazing place in our community.x 🙂
Jade Tonge
Dec 2020
I feel incredibly blessed to have been a member of the Helensville community and having access to not only great midwives but a fabulous birthing centre and maternity support system as a whole. I have three beautiful boys all of which have been through the Helensville Birthing Centre for after care, and all of which have been through the LC’s for different reasons. I’ve been able to have extended breast feeding relationships with all of them and so much of this I put down to the support and care offered by the LC’s, and the holistic approach offered in the wider community. For such a small community I firmly believe the approach and care we receive is THE best in NZ and I am so proud of the centre and all its achieved. Congratulations Debbie and the team for such a massive achievement!
Belinda Coles & Ashton (7), Harry (5) & Leo (9 Months)
Dec 2020
Fiona was my midwife for both of my babies. I couldn’t speak highly enough of the professionalism and level of care she provided. She wasn’t just interested in my baby, but everything else that was going on in my life too. I also had contact with the wider team, Michelle & Lisa, and always felt comfortable and in safe hands. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Fiona and the team.
Megan Sloan
Dec 2020
