Birthcare vs Botany Maternity Unit

I know there is an old post about Botany but was wanting some more recent views on Botany vs Birthcare.

I went to Birthcare last time and to be honest, didn't find it that great. The midwives were a bit hit and miss and I seriously struggled to BF with no real help.

So which is better (in your view) ? Botany or Birthcare?

hi there,
how have you gone with your research denny25?
I also live in the area and in the process of investigating mw and bc.
There only seem to be old posts (pre 2011) posts so would love to know if anyone has some suggestions of mw or what Botany and local BC are like.


Edited by mcmarsh

I don't know much about Birthcare, but I went to Botany for my aftercare. I had to have DS at Middlemore (birthing rooms great, postnatal ward not good) and transferred to Botany the next day.

I had a private room, and thought it was great. The food was good home cooking, and I really appreciated being able to grab a snack (fruit or toast) at all hours of the day, breastfeeding makes me really hungry!

I found the midwifes/nursing team really helpful with getting breastfeeding started and figuring out how to care for my little guy.

Having a ranchslider looking out onto the lawn was great too, I watched sparrows and pukekos while breastfeeding, and it meant I could get some air into the room (he was born 31 Jan).

I'm curious, do you pay to go there?

AandCs mum - at Birthcare you only pay for a private room unless you birth there and then it's free. Shared rooms are free. Check out the website though as I think there are exclusions depending on where you birth or live. Botany is part of Counties Manukau DHB (Middlemore etc) so it's free. I'm not sure if you can go there if you live outside CMDHBs catchment area - anyone know?

I had my first child at Birthcare and stayed postnatally with my second. I found it lovely.. especially having my own room. I struggled with BF both times and called the midwife in for each feed. I then went back in to see the LC when things weren't improving and that was free.

Friends have liked Botany too but I haven't been there for years. To be honest I think you'll always get midwives you click with those you don't no matter where you go.

Botany is free, but those women who give birth there have preference on available single rooms. I'm not sure if you can go there if you are outside the DHB area. (But I know I could have gone to Birthcare Parnell so maybe it is ok.)

Denny25 - You do have to eat in the central dinning room, but it's no biggy, you can take bubs with you or leave bubs in your room if they are settled or ask them to hold your meal until you are ready.