Pregnant women are able choose a community based midwife as their Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) who coordinates their maternity care. Lead Maternity Carers can be midwives, obstetricians or general practitioners with a diploma in obstetrics. LMCs are contracted through the Ministry of Health to provide a complete maternity service to you.
The vast majority of women and their families choose a midwife as their LMC. These midwives work with midwife partners (mostly in small group practices) and alongside midwives who are employed to work in maternity units to ensure you receive the care that meets your needs. Midwives also work collaboratively with other health professionals such as obstetricians to meet any additional medical or health needs.