Partners

At Warkworth Birthing Centre we believe new parents should be offered the opportunity to spend time together with their newborn. These first few days are a special time when family bonds are formed; we believe that having the partner involved is a positive experience for the whole family. 

We recognize how important your partner is to support you during this early postnatal time. Being together allows you both to bond and spend time with your new baby. Partners are welcome to stay while you are staying with us at the Warkworth Birthing Centre. However, we do not have the kitchen facilities to provide partner meals. We have a fridge/freezer and microwave facilities if you would like to bring meals with you or there are several takeaway options available in the Warkworth township. If you would like a simple continental breakfast, we are happy to provide this for you. Although we do allow the partner to stay each night, we encourage you to consider the partner sleeping at home on the last night of your stay so that they get good rest and are therefore better able to provide support on your first night at home together with your new baby.

Women really appreciate the support of their partner while they are in the centre. This is a great time to:

• Spend time getting to know your new baby.
• Take baby for a walk in one of our prams or spend time cuddling baby so tired new mums can get some much needed sleep.
• Have a chance to develop new skills such as nappy changing, bathing, swaddling and settling baby.
• Support your partner as she learns how to breastfeed. This can happen in a variety of ways such as changing baby’s nappy, warming the bassinet, getting baby out of bed and ready for a feed as well as just ‘being there’ during the feeds.
  
• Getting your partner a drink or a snack from the kitchenette is very helpful.