Health Services We Fund

Maternity Services

Mother and Pepe Services

In addition to the standard Parenting and Pregnancy classes, CMDHB funds two providers to provide a more targeted programme, which continues into early childhood, called "Mother and Pepe". This is open to all young mums, but has a particular focus on young Maori.

The aim of the service is to provide education, support and advice to mothers during pregnancy, following the birth, and up until the newborn child is 24 months old. The service operates in conjunction with other maternity providers, and includes GPs, Midwives and maternity services operating within hospitals.

The service will be provided by Maori health workers who have recognised skills or experience in the maternity or childcare areas and who have strong links with the Maori community.

Key elements of the service include:

education and advice about care during pregnancy such as non-smoking, exercise, nutrition, preparation for birth, care of the body (massage)
education and advice to enable the parent to develop positive bonding with their pepe (nutrition, baby care, bathing, recognising illness, well child care, preparation for and encouragement of breastfeeding, safe smoke free environments, sleeping positions, immunisation, etc.)
education and advice regarding basic home care and preparation for the child education and advice regarding self-awareness of the mother (breast care and breast examination, nutrition, hygiene, whanau support networks and stress relief) and her relationships with others advocacy and co-ordination with other local primary care providers and with community and social services in the area.

Contacts for this service are:

Centre Area Phone

Turuki Healthcare CMDHB Wide 09-275 5788

Te Kaha O Te Rangatahi Mainly wider Mangere and Old Papatoetoe areas 09-270 4725

Published: 24-Apr-2007 | Website enquiries: Web Content Manager