Mum of three, Olivia A’Court is a proud supporter of the Central Otago Maternity Unit.
A Registered Nurse and manager of the Dunstan Hospital District Nursing team, Olivia is currently on maternity leave with her third child, daughter Rua born on October 15, 2024.
Her eldest son was premature and ended up being born at Queen Mary in Dunedin, after they were transferred from Alexandra.
“My first son’s birth I’d describe as very clinical. There was a lot of intervention to assist, and we ended up spending a month in NICU. We were where we needed to be with the team we needed, there’s no doubt about that.
Her middle and youngest child were born at the unit in Alexandra, and she says the staff made it a very normal, natural and wonderful experience.
Olivia says having the unit so close to home is also special.
With baby Rua she’s been back to the unit to work with a lactation consultant.
“We are very lucky to have this unit in Central Otago,” she says.
In 2021 the unit then known as (Charlotte Jean Maternity) transitioned to Health NZ Southern and is now known as the Central Otago Maternity Unit.
Midwife manager Avril Robinson says there’s a misconception in the community that when Charlotte Jean Maternity ended its contract the unit had closed permanently.
“However, that is not the case. The unit is still in the same location and is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week offering comprehensive ante-natal, birthing and post-natal care to our community.”
COMU has three private post-natal rooms with queen-sized beds and a delivery room with a birthing pool.
“Expectant parents are welcome to call and tour our unit at any time, and we encourage them to ask any questions they may have," Avril says.
