Electronic connection To improve maternity care and service interface, this DHB is currently working with primary health organisations to identify a secure way for LMCs to connect electronically with GPs. Whanganui DHB Access to information In order to engage consumers, Whanganui DHB are in the process of establishing a Maternity Resource Centre which will provide a drop-in service where women and their families can access maternity information and support, including contacting of an LMC. Provision of culturally appropriate services Whanganui DHB is also developing a Whānau Ora contract with a Māori provider to promote all pregnant women enrolling with an LMC by 10 weeks. Preterm births Our focus To investigate the consistency in the rate of preterm births across New Zealand. The reasons for variation, and ways to reduce preterm births, need to be explored in relation to service delivery. This priority reflects the NMMG’s role in overseeing the implementation of Standard 1 of the National Maternity Standards, particularly to ensure that maternity services achieve health outcomes for mothers and babies”. “optimal We wanted to monitor late preterm births (births between 34 and 36 weeks’ gestation) because research has found that worldwide late preterm births are increasing. It is argued that this may be due to increases in planned birth, ie, when the risks to the mother or baby of continuing the pregnancy are perceived to outweigh the risk of early birth. This may be related to changes in obstetric decision-making. However, late preterm births may have a number of consequences, including: higher neonatal and maternal mortality and morbidity long-term health effects on babies such as poorer neurodevelopmental and educational outcomes, more hospital admissions and increased general disease burden in childhood3, late preterm birth is also associated with greater use of health resources.3, The period from 34–36 weeks is the period when there is most benefit in prolonging the pregnancy. Because prolonging pregnancy results in better neonatal outcomes and less health
Electronic connection To improve maternity care and service interface, this DHB is currently working with primary health organisations to identify a secure way for LMCs to connect electronically with GPs. Whanganui DHB Access to information In order to engage consumers, Whanganui DHB are in the process of establishing a Maternity Resource Centre which will provide a drop-in service where women and their families can access maternity information and support, including contacting of an LMC. Provision of culturally appropriate services Whanganui DHB is also developing a Whānau Ora contract with a Māori provider to promote all pregnant women enrolling with an LMC by 10 weeks. Preterm births Our focus To investigate the consistency in the rate of preterm births across New Zealand. The reasons for variation, and ways to reduce preterm births, need to be explored in relation to service delivery. This priority reflects the NMMG’s role in overseeing the implementation of Standard 1 of the National Maternity Standards, particularly to ensure that maternity services achieve “optimal health outcomes for mothers and babies”. We wanted to monitor late preterm births (births between 34 and 36 weeks’ gestation) because research has found that worldwide late preterm births are increasing. It is argued that this may be due to increases in planned birth, ie, when the risks to the mother or baby of continuing the pregnancy are perceived to outweigh the risk of early birth. This may be related to changes in obstetric decision-making. However, late preterm births may have a number of consequences, including: higher neonatal and maternal mortality and morbidity long-term health effects on babies such as poorer neurodevelopmental and educational outcomes, more hospital admissions and increased general disease burden in childhood3, late preterm birth is also associated with greater use of health resources.3, The period from 34–36 weeks is the period when there is most benefit in prolonging the pregnancy. Because prolonging pregnancy results in better neonatal outcomes and less health
national-maternity-monitoring-group-annual-report-2013-nov13.docx