M.03.02.01 Supporting pregnant women

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  1. Pregnant women must be managed in a sensitive manner which considers their needs and risks, while optimising their well-being during pregnancy.
    Consideration

    Staff are to refer to resource [M.03.02.Res.05 Warning signs and symptoms for staff managing pregnant women] to raise staff awareness of what to look for and when Health Services must be advised regarding their health and wellbeing.

  2. Pregnant women must be enabled, as far as practicable in the circumstances, to meet their cultural, religious and spiritual customs, practices and beliefs relating to pregnancy, and birthing their child while considering safety and security. This will be recorded in the [M.03.02.Form.03 Birth Support Plan].
    Consideration

    Examples of Māori cultural practices are:

    1. Karakia – Incantations that give guidance, instructions within a kaupapa Māori context.
    2. Oriori – Curriculum of learning specifically for unborn and new-born taonga / treasure. Sung in a succinct, particular way.
    3. Mirimiri – The act of massaging the body to realign and give balance to the inner self.
    4. Waiata – Literally means a reflection within the water that describes and speaks of what is seen by the naked eye and is expressed as song.
    5. Kiri Pātahi – The act of a person’s skin coming in contact with another (skin to skin).
    6. Whenua – That place where humankind comes from Connection to the land is the key e.g. mana whenua, tangata whenua, Papatuanuku (Mother Earth.) Both placenta and the land are referred to as whenua.

    Please note that different iwi / cultures may have different interpretations or practices to the above examples.

    Staff should seek cultural advice as required.

  3. Women may be able to care for their young child up to 24 months of age in prison if certain criteria are met; see [M.03.08 Mother with child placement].
  4. Pregnant women are offered information as early as possible on release options, which may be applicable to them and their right to seek legal advice on such options:
    1. The unit Principal Corrections Officer (PCO) must explain to a pregnant woman their right to apply to the NZPB for an early release on compassionate grounds after giving birth and provide a copy of [M.03.02.Form.02 Early release on compassionate grounds giving birth information], within 72 hours of the time they are made aware of the pregnancy.
    2. A case note confirming the conversation and supply of the [M.03.02.Form.02 Early release on compassionate grounds giving birth information] to the woman, and her response, is to be made in IOMS.
Watch Point

Medical diets apply to pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Refer to [F.01.Res.01 Catering].