Rātā Midwives

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Rātā Midwives

Rata Midwives is a practice of midwives working with women and their whanau in Christchurch

We are passionate about providing good quality care to women and feel privileged to support them on this wonderful journey. We provide continuity of care throughout pregnancy , labour/birth and to six weeks after birth. We know that every woman has a unique situation and honour the cultural, ethnic and social diversity of the women with whom we work. The philosophy that underpins our work is that pregnancy and birth are normal life events and we are committed to supporting birth as a normal process. We provide evidence-based information to assist women and their whanau to make the best decisions for their individual needs. We also see our role as supporting women to trust their bodies and find their inner strength to approach their birth with confidence. We know that the birthing environment can impact on a woman's experience and believe that for a healthy woman, birthing at home or in a primary unit (Lincoln Maternity or St George's Maternity) maximises the potential for a normal birth. We also support women to birth at Christchurch Women's Hospital when necessary.

23/12/2025

Another birth story ✨✨

We had such a beautiful day, the sun was shining it was warm. I got excited about the peonies flowering for the first time this season, that felt like a sign. We spent the day as a family and Arlo and I spent the afternoon down in the native garden splashing and laughing, we got a few beautiful photos as I didn’t have any photos of you in my belly! I remember thinking of this is our last day as a family of three I would be really grateful that it was today.

I didn’t expect you to arrive, I had been having surges on and off since Monday. I knew you were making your way earthside but my body had been quiet for the last few days. I was ready for you though, we were ready for you.

I started having some light activity around 6pm and then after Arlo went to sleep I was having surges every 10 minutes. I went to bed thinking they would settle like they had been. But they started to build, I remember telling your dad to get some sleep as I think you are coming.

We thought we had a longer road ahead of us but something told me you would enter the world swiftly and relatively “on time”. By 10:30 I was surging 2 minutes apart but everything was pretty mild we still had ways to go or so we thought! We decided to call Jo and let her know what was happening but that we would call her back when we wanted her to start heading over. By 11:30 you were really starting to get ready and we called her back asking her to come.

Your dad started to get the pool ready down in the bungalow, luckily we had prepared the space and pumped up the pool a few days prior. I was in the loft surging and it was the most incredible feeling as compared to Arlos birth as I could feel your progression. I felt you start to move down, I was in the living room trying to be quiet as Arlo was sleeping and I remember rocking on my hands and knees feeling you come down the birth canal, calling for you and welcoming you as you made your way. We were dancing together that’s what it felt like…

(Continued in comments…)

12/10/2025

Kia Ora, ko Sheena toku ingoa

✨What made you want to become a midwife?✨

To be honest I tried not to be a midwife because my mum and Grandma were both trained midwives, in Ireland and Scotland. But then I always ended up working in partnerships, advocating, caring, health, and wellbeing focussed which then combined with studying women’s studies at Uni. The final push was birthing Cara, my oldest (27 years ago now). I had fabulous homebirth and loved every minute of it (I know I’m weird).

✨What do you like to do in your spare time?✨

I am a bit dog mad, I’m typing this with my border terrier boys cuddling in to me. So dog walking is key. I love to read, too. I am blessed to spend lots of time with my daughters. Christchurch is a great place, so much to do - movies, theaters, concerts, I’m never bored.

✨Where would your dream holiday be?✨

Since moving to New Zealand I feel like I have had so many dream holidays like walking the Abel Tasman. Where I am from, Dudley, beauty on this scale is a fantasy. I am truly blessed and try not to take it for granted. I think any holiday with my girls is the dream.

✨What’s your favourite thing about Rātā?✨

My favourite thing about Rātā is our passion for empowering the people we work with. Informed choice and consent are central to what we do. We work in small and big ways to make things better, to ensure the choices people make are respected. I believe the personal is political, and Rātā puts positive energy into all aspects of our birthing world.

Photo by

08/10/2025

A gorgeous picture of one of our Rātā māmā and Rātā Midwives 🧡 Moments like these are what make our jobs so wonderful

23/04/2025

Kia ora,
Please pencil this into your diary - our next meet the midwife session!
Although we all practice with the same philosophy, and you never know who may be available when you need care - it's a good idea to come along and get to know our faces.
Look forward to seeing you there, for a korero and a cuppa!

03/03/2025

Kia ora e te whānau. Please join us for another Rātā Midwives, "Meet the Midwife" session. Come get to know your team of backup midwives :)
THIS FRIDAY!!! X
🧡

21/01/2025

💛Kia ora, ko Kirsten toku ingoa💛

Get to know the team here at Rātā Midwives!

✨What made you want to become a midwife?✨

This is an interesting question. I don’t remember actually choosing the career, I think midwifery chose me! I knew I wanted to work in healthcare, but not necessarily with sick or elderly people, I did a certificate in pre health science prior to midwifery to look at some options and here we are.

✨What is your favourite thing to do with your spare time? ✨

Family time always. We love being active and outdoors, watching my children surf, going hiking, travelling, eating, or just a good card or board game at home

✨Where would your dream holiday be? ✨

I love to travel. My next big holiday includes India and Sri Lanka, I dream of South America and also a ski holiday maybe Japan, maybe the Swiss alps, so many loose travel plans!

✨What’s your favourite thing about Rātā?✨

I can’t pick one thing there’s so many. The ‘togetherness’, the amazing amount of brainpower and availability any time I need a second opinion, the laughs, the love, the hugs, the passion we all have for each other and for the women we care for, the way everyone brings something different to the table and is listened to, the respect we have for each other. I could go on and on, I love Rātā!

16/01/2025

Get to know the team here at Rātā Midwives!

💛 Kia ora, ko Jackie toku ingoa 💛

✨What made you want to become a midwife?✨

Before supporting a family member in labour, I had no idea what a midwife did. Seeing this and after the birth of my first son, a spark of interest started. This grew into a full desire after the birth of my second son. So I took the leap into studying health and midwifery. There is so much I enjoy about being a midwife. From the education and information sharing, women and whanau centred care, to supporting choices/decisions. The physiology of how the body is changing and growing a baby is amazing. I also enjoy learning from families about their interests, beliefs and culture. Finally I love seeing a couple/person become a family or adjust to increasing their family.

✨What do you like to do in your spare time?✨

I like to balance my work and family life. Supporting my family is important and what I enjoy is having time for the simple things. Taking my precious wee dog for walks. Having a catch up with people at cafes. Gardening and working on my vege patch. Finally cooking nice meals for my whānau.

✨Where would your dream holiday be?✨

My perfect holiday would involve warm sunny weather. A balance of seeing culture, history, architecture, nature and wonder. With plenty of relaxation, good food and cocktails.

✨What’s your favourite thing about Rātā?✨

My favourite thing is that the Rata team are not just work colleagues. We are work sisters and friends. We have endless support for each other. We not only have each others backs for work purposes but also enjoy each others company outside of work.

Photo by

10/01/2025

Get to know the team at Rātā midwives!

Kia ora, ko Mel toku ingoa 💛

✨What made you want to become a midwife?✨

I’ve always had a strong passion for helping others, especially during life’s most significant moments. Becoming a midwife felt like the perfect way to channel that passion, allowing me to empower women. The opportunity to support expectant mothers through such a transformative and intimate journey is deeply rewarding.
It truly is the BEST job in the world, I am grateful everyday ❤️

✨ What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?✨

In my spare time, I love to unwind by exercising, especially with reformer Pilates, (which I’ve recently started this year)
I also enjoy spending time outdoors—whether it’s going for walks with my dog, Harley, or fishing 🐠 when I get the chance (usually with a beer in hand!). I’m also passionate about cooking and trying out new recipes, as it’s a fun way to be creative and relax. All of these activities help me clear my mind and recharge my batteries, enabling me to be a better midwife.

✨Where would your dream holiday be?✨

I’ve been fortunate to travel extensively, exploring much of the world, including Australia and Southeast Asia, before settling in New Zealand.
I love exploring new destinations, discovering unfamiliar places, and experiencing different cultures. I enjoy trying new foods, meeting people, and engaging in exciting activities while traveling the world.

✨What’s your favourite thing about Rātā?✨

From the moment I joined, Rātā has felt like home.
We create a supportive, non-judgmental space where women and their whānau feel heard. As a team, we’ve got each other’s backs—there’s always someone to rely on—and we share plenty of laughs along the way

07/01/2025

Rātā mums and bubs picnic - we love to see our previous clients at meet the midwife, but with parking and space issues we thought we would organise a separate session!

Come join us at 10-12 on Friday January 17th at the back of Te Ara Sophia (275 Fifield Tce) for a picnic - BYO blanket and kai. We would love to provide the space for us to encourage connection in the community. If sunny, we will gather on the lawn.

Past and present Rātā clients welcome!

04/01/2025

Get to know the team here at Rātā Midwives!

💛 Kia ora, ko Candice toku ingoa 💛

✨What made you want to become a midwife?✨

Such an interesting question which I get so often! I’m naturally quite a creative and spiritual person, so holistic healthcare is something that feels naturally appealing to me. I have also always been a bit of an adrenaline ju**ie, spending three years as a volunteer firefighter and lots of time in the busy music industry. I’m also a fierce advocate in the social justice space, with a passion for women’s rights issues in particular. These things mixed with my obsession for all things menstruation, fertility and matrescence made midwifery the perfect fit for me.

✨What do you like to do in your spare time?✨

I love to write songs, garden (I live in an indoor jungle), bake and go hiking. My favorite spot to hike is the Boyle River in the Lewis Pass, or Milford Track (I can’t wait to do that again when my babies are old enough!).

✨Where would your dream holiday be?✨

I’d probably return to Montreal/Quebec City in Canada if I was traveling alone or just with my husband. I used to be pretty good at speaking French and loved the vibrant culture, music scene and greenery there. It’s the kind of city I’d love to live in. I do love a good island holiday too though, chilling on the beach. The Pacific Islands are so close which is amazing. I recently went to Rarotonga which was SO easy with kids.

✨What’s your favourite thing about Rātā?✨

I absolutely love how close we are, not just as workmates; but as friends too. We all share the same passion and philosophy, but we also share a lot of love. We’ve done escape rooms together, gone to the movies, done earring making courses, festivals, hiking - the list goes on! It’s awesome not just for us as whānau, but for our clients who get to see a really close team too. I absolutely know this helps people feel safer when getting care from another midwife. I also know it’s good for our busy midwife brains!

Photo by

31/12/2024

Get to know the team here at Rātā Midwives!

💛 Kia ora, ko Kaz Kavanagh toku ingoa 💛

✨ What made you want to become a midwife?✨

I believe midwifery was something I was always destined for, it just felt right. I worked as a personal trainer with strong focus on pre and postnatal exercise, and my passion and curiosity grew from there. I had amazing midwifery care with both my daughters, and this also inspired me to work hard and become that support for other families.

✨ What is your favourite thing to do with your spare time?✨

Where do I start? I love to be active outdoors with my family, soak up all the sun my Irish skin can absorb, watch trashy TV to switch off and enjoy a relaxing drink with my hubby and our mates. It’s the simile things that matter.

✨Where would your dream holiday be?✨

Anywhere hot, full of culture and where I can learn something new. Definitely with a balance of relaxation and action.

✨What’s your favourite thing about Rātā?✨

Awh man…..the love, the laughs, the support, the non-judgemental environment, the friendships, and the fact we actually really like each other as people. It’s a family. As they say, when you love your job, you never work a day in your life.

29/12/2024

That face!!! Such beautiful photos. Enjoy another birth story written by this glorious Rātā māmā…

💛

I had been having contractions in the evenings for two days. I woke up at 3am to a gush of fluid. I guessed this must have been my waters breaking (with my previous labours, I hadn’t experienced this). I leapt out of bed and went to the toilet. I wandered back into our bedroom onto our brand new carpet and ‘woosh!’, more fluid came out. I went back to bed as contractions hadn’t become intense yet…

I lay there for an hour and soon realised I was having to breathe through them. I rolled over, woke Mike up and told him this was it. We made our way out to the lounge and Mike started setting up the pool. Why we hadn’t done this sooner with me being 10 days over is still a mystery to me. The lighting was dim, my playlist was lulling in the background and I was on my knees on the floor. I was breathing and blowing raspberries through each contraction, reminding myself “floppy face, floppy fanny.” I then told Mike to call Kate and I messaged my bestie Tish to also make her way over.

Kate & Tish arrived at 4am, I was very happy to see them both. The contractions were intense and I was very much in my zone during them but in the in-betweens I felt the oxytocin. I was so happy, giggling and telling Mike & Tish that I loved them. During this time, all hands were on deck trying to boil jugs as we had run out of hot water. As the contractions ramped up I called for Kate to reassure me, then I got in the pool.

“Thank Fu=k” - It was honestly such amazing pain relief. I then had the overwhelming need to push and roared loudly as I leaned over the side of the pool. 2 contractions later & the head was out, one more push and baby was born into my husbands hands. I just had the home birth of my dreams! We found out he was a boy and we named him Fox.

We stayed in the pool, while he was welcomed. An hour later our two kids came to meet their new brother. Mike made coffee & hashbrowns and we all basked in our wee love bubble. This was an incredibly healing & transformative birth & feel so blessed to have had Kate & Sheena as my midwives

Address

229 Fitzgerald Avenue
Christchurch
8011

Website

http://www.ratamidwives.co.nz/

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