Primary Birthing Unit marks two year anniversary with more special deliveries Primary Birthing Unit marks two year anniversary Friday, 15 November 2019 / Media Read the article online Manawatu Standard/Stuff Primary birthing unit marks two-year anniversary with more special deliveries Primary birthing unit marks two-year anniversary with more special deliveries Janine Rankin14:50, Nov 15 2019 WARWICK SMITH/STUFF Newborn Maggie Brosnan is the 643rd baby delivered at Te Papaieoa Birthing Centre, to parents Kelsey and James Brosnan, with help from clinical midwife manager Jane Spilman. Te Papaioea Birthing Centre in Palmerston North has celebrated its second birthday this week, welcoming little Maggie Brosnan as baby number 643 born at the Ruahine St facility. The daughter of Kelsey and James, the little sister for 2-year-old Pippa arrived in the bath in their private room at 5.48pm on Thursday, weighing just over 4 kilograms. Clinical midwife manager Jane Spilman said although birth rates varied, on average, a baby a day was born at the unit and there was capacity to handle more. Only seven or eight of the centre's 12 suites were usually open for birthing. READ MORE: * Palmerston North birthing centre celebrates first birthday * South Auckland's first free birthing centre a godsend for pregnant mums * Te Papaioea Birthing Centre celebrates baby 100 Centre founder and director Chloe Wright said Te Papaioea was designed to provide a free option for healthy pregnant women not expecting complications or a need for intervention in their deliveries. Most of the community-based midwives in the MidCentral Health district had an access agreement to bring their clients to the centre for the delivery and for the 48 hours of postnatal care mothers were entitled to. The layout enables women to labour and give birth and stay for another two days in their own room, with an en suite and a large bed and where partners are welcome to stay over. Spilman said most women did have someone to stay, and the majority chose to stay on and receive the important two days of postnatal care and breastfeeding support. Mothers expected to need pain relief or interventions to help them give birth went to Palmerston North Hospital for their deliveries. Wright said the unit had a good relationship with the MidCentral District Health Board and they worked together to ensure women knew about which option was best for them. Te Papaioea is owned and supported by registered charitable trust, the Wright Family Foundation. Previous Article Two Birthing Centres to close over Christmas due to 'shameful' lack of support Next Article Bethlehem Birthing Centre turns five Print ID: Two year aniversary