1. We have our first booking appointment when you are between 6-8 weeks pregnant. 

Sarah and Janelle work as a pair and Jordyn and Tessa work as a pair.

Due to the nature of our shared time on and off call, Janelle and Jordyn are on call at the same time and Sarah and Tessa are on call together.

During the third trimester (from 28 weeks) you will routinely be offered every second antenetal appointment with the 'back up midwife'. We do this so that you have built a strong relationship with the back up midwife incase she is the one on call for your labour and birth. Weekly appointments begin from 36 weeks. Your 36 week appointment is with your LMC for your "birth talk", then your weekly appointments alternate between midwives.

The exception to this is if your LMC is on annual leave or sick and the back up midwife is covering clinic.

We have three clinics:

Pahiatua - 187 Main Street, Pahiatua

Dannevirke - 86 Gordon Street, Dannevirke

Palmerston North - 127 Ruahine Street, Palmerston North

No. You can contact us directly. We recommend getting in touch as soon as you know you’re pregnant to secure a place.

Contact us with your due date and history. With your consent, we’ll arrange notes transfer and a handover plan.

Our email is tararuamidwives@gmail.com

Once under our care, your LMC will provide her phone number.

Many healthy, low-risk pregnancies are suitable for home birth. We’ll assess your health history, discuss equipment and safety plans, and outline when transfer to hospital may be recommended.

We check your blood pressure, baby’s growth and position, listen to the heartbeat, discuss symptoms, answer questions, and plan upcoming tests. Appointments are usually every 4–6 weeks early on, then more frequent later in pregnancy.

If you are a NZ citizen or NZ Permanent resident then your maternity care is fully funded/free. 

We provide evidence‑based, person‑centred care, supporting physiologic birth where safe, with timely access to medical care when needed. Your informed choices are central to our care.

Absolutely. We welcome your chosen support people. Some facilities have limits—check with us for current guidelines.

Yes, where facilities and safety criteria are met. We’ll discuss preparation, hygiene, and when water birth may not be suitable.

Yes, if clinically appropriate and in a suitable setting with obstetric backup. We’ll review your prior birth and discuss risks and benefits.

For urgent concerns (reduced movements, bleeding, waters broken with fever, strong headaches/visual changes, severe pain), call our 24/7 number immediately. For non-urgent matters, text or email during business hours.

Options typically include home, Te Papaioea Birthing Center, or Palmerston North Hospital. The safest place depends on your health, pregnancy, and preferences; we’ll discuss what’s right for you.

We’ll discuss your reasons, provide balanced information, and refer for an obstetric consult. We continue antenatal and postnatal support and ideally be there during your planned c-section.

Yes. We provide latch help, positioning tips, and feeding plans. If needed, we can refer you to lactation consultants or community support.