Women deserve purpose-built, well-resourced spaces to birth and recover in.

Women deserve purpose-built, well-resourced spaces to birth and recover in.

Started
9 August 2020
Petition to
DHBs and Government
Signatures: 4,636Next goal: 5,000
Support now

Why this petition matters

Started by Mothers Matter

Although birthing women have 48 hours legal postnatal recovery, they’re often in under-resourced, stressed, hospital environments. Far too often, new mums can feel pressured to leave early. We regularly hear of partners told they can't stay over to support and bond with mum and baby. Women tell us they don’t want to stay 48 hours in these environments.

Birthing women deserve peaceful, well-resourced, purpose-built environments that they WANT to stay in. They should have MORE than 48 hours legal right to care and support. They should NEVER feel pressured to leave before their 48 hours legal post-natal right. Partners SHOULD be able to stay with mum if requested. New families DESERVE those golden first few days for mums to heal and family to bond together. Dads/partners need support too. We know this works because research identifies that early bonding and stability improves life outcomes for mum, baby and families. 

We respectfully and urgently ask that DHBs and the government recognise and fund private and charitable primary birthing units. DHBs are bulk-funded for births in their areas. They could and should release funding to FOLLOW women and their CHOICE of place to birth. DHBs need to put women's and babies' health and wellbeing first. We believe that partnerships between purpose-built facilities (private or social enterprise),and DHBs, with wrap around services, can be formed. This will serve all communities equably.

Not only will this deliver cost savings to DHBs, it will support the best health and wellbeing outcomes for thousands of New Zealand families.

 

Support now
Signatures: 4,636Next goal: 5,000
Support now
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Decision makers

  • DHBs and Government