National Women’s Health provides neonatal healthcare services for newborn babies who arrive prematurely or have serious health problems. Our newborn services are located on Level 9 of Auckland City Hospital. 
Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
Our NICU looks after babies born to parents in Central Auckland, West Auckland and North Auckland. We also provide NICU care for babies from other New Zealand regions when required. In addition, NICU is the referral centre for babies who need paediatric cardiology services, neonatal surgery or treatment for complex metabolic diseases.
Three levels of care:
- Level 3 NICU cares for babies who need full ventilation, are born at less than 30 weeks or who require intensive care support.
- Level 2 NICU cares for babies who need CPAP therapy, intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Depending on their needs, babies requiring Level 2 services may be transferred back to North Shore Hospital or Waitakere Hospital for care closer to home.
- Parent-Infant Nursery is an area for low-dependency Level 2 babies. The focus here is on preparing the baby and family for discharge.
Support services for families
- Neonatal homecare service
- Child development unit
- Paediatric outpatient service
- Specialist lactation service
- Neonatal emergency transport service.
We’re a Baby Friendly Hospital
National Women’s is a
Baby Friendly Hospital, so all our services support exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child’s life.
More about newborn care
Information about
newborn care at National Women’s Health, including what happens to the placenta, skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding, rooming in and NICU.
Visit the ADHB Newborn Services site
The ADHB Newborn Services website has detailed information about specialised neonatal care.