River Ridge East Birth Centre

06/05/2026

🧇🍓🫐 We have a variety of delicious options on our breakfast menu.

In addition to the yummy choices below we also have breakfast waffles, Bircher muesli and toasted fruit muffins with butter and jam. Yum! 🫐🍓🧇

05/05/2026

👀 We’re launching something big next week to support families/whānau after their stay here. Follow our Facebook and Instagram for more info coming soon. 👀

04/05/2026

🪡💟 Practice makes perfect! Two fourth-year students Saera (L) and Chelsea (R) have been practicing their suturing skills.

We often have Midwifery students here at River Ridge, working and learning alongside our Clinical Team, or during their placement with a Waikato-based LMC working in the community.

We’re helping our much needed future workforce to gain confidence in a supported way, covering a broad range of the skills they will need when they graduate. 💟🪡

04/05/2026

💜
We are joining colleagues across NZ celebrating International Day of the Midwife today, recognising the incredible work of midwives.

To our very special team, and fabulous Waikato LMCs, our heartfelt gratitude. We appreciate the care you give to women, babies, and whānau every day.

We’d love your support of the petition by the International Confederation of Midwives highlighting the need for midwives across the world.

https://millionmore.org/petition/
💜

Today we are celebrating International Day of the Midwife with billboards across Aotearoa recognising the incredible work of midwives.

Throughout the day, we will also be supporting ICM’s midwives campaign by sharing a series of tiles celebrating midwives new to the profession, alongside their mentors.

To every midwife, thank you. We appreciate the care you give to women, babies, and whānau every day.

If you spot a billboard near you, take a photo (where it is safe to do so) and send it to communications@nzcom.org.nz. We will be sharing them throughout the day. A list of locations was included in yesterday's member communication.

04/05/2026

🤍🤍 Today is World Maternal Mental Health Day 🤍🤍

Love this message from our colleagues at Home Birth Aotearoa.

04/05/2026

👀 Did you know that we have a vending machine? It’s in our Family Room/Ruma Whānau. 👀

02/05/2026

✨
Labour is a magical dance between mother and baby.
Staying upright, or using positions like hands and knees, side lying, lunges, and movement that feels good for you, can significantly influence how labour progresses.

Movement creates space and allows baby to rotate and descend more easily.

When māmā moves, pēpi responds.
✨

28/04/2026

👀💜🧡💜👀

28/04/2026

🤎🤍🤎🤍🤎

28/04/2026

✨
Birth starts with preparation.
A quiet, softly lit room. Warm water filling the tub.
Words of encouragement whispered.
A partner close. A midwife steady beside you.

These moments are not rushed. They are supported, watched carefully, and held with intention.

At River Ridge East Birth Centre we have two large birthing pools, and a birthing bath, and over the years many families have chosen to labour or welcome their babies in the water. Warm water can offer comfort, relaxation, and freedom of movement during labour. For many people it becomes a space where the body can soften, where contractions are easier to ride, and where the transition to meeting baby happens gently.

You can see the rhythm of birth unfold here. Preparation. Labour. Support. A partner steady and encouraging. And finally, a baby welcomed into waiting hands.

Birth is powerful.
Birth is intimate.
Birth is normal.

We are honoured to hold this space for our community.
✨

📸 Catherine Smith

20/04/2026

🤍🤎🤍