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Support For Pregnant Teens & Teen Parents in Horowhenua

Where Can I Get Information & Help To Access All The Services I Need?
Phone Levin Early Years Hub on 06 367 6291 or text 027 237 1463 and ask to be rung back and they will help you to get the services you need. You can look at their directory on the council website at www.horowhenua.govt.nz. Click on ‘Our Community’ then ‘Community Directories’ or you can pick up a hard copy from the hub.

Where Can I Get A Free Pregnancy Test?
1. Drop in to Hono Wahine Pregnancy Information and Support Centre, 79 Oxford Street, Levin
2.  If you are at college you can see the Public Health Nurses either at the college or at the Community Health Centre in Liverpool Street, Levin for a free test
3. Drop in to the Midwife Centre, 23 Winchester Street, Levin

Where Do I Go If I Want To Talk To Someone In Confidence About Abortion?
You can get some free counselling at the Horowhenua Health Centre in Liverpool Street, Levin or Maori kaupapa counselling at Te Runanga o Raukawa, 3 Keepa Street, Levin

Where Do I Go If I Want To Talk To Someone About Adoption?
Levin Early Years Hub, a midwife, Hono Wahine or a doctor can put you in touch with the Adoption Services who will give you lots of information. The Adoption Services Social Worker can visit you at home or a place of your choosing. If you want to go directly to Adoption Services they are based in Palmerston North. Phone 06 952 0233.

Where Do I Go For Help Now That I’m Pregnant?
1. Hono Wahine will provide information, help you choose a Lead Maternity Carer who is either a midwife or a GP and link you with antenatal education.
2. Levin Childbirth Education Phone 06 368 6313 offer free antenatal classes for you to meet and learn about childbirth with other parents expecting babies at the same time as you.
3. You can talk with other young parents and parents-to-be at Levin Early Years Young Parent Group. Meets weekly at the Hub. Phone 06 367 6291 or txt 022 150 0608

Why Should I Have A Lead Maternity Carer?
Your LMC or midwife will provide care and support during your pregnancy, labour and birth. She (or he if you choose Dr Van De Vyver) will give you regular check-ups to make sure you and your baby are healthy and help you decide on a birthing plan.

What If I’m Having Trouble Breastfeeding?
Hono Wahine or the Early Years Hub can help you. You can talk to the Hono Wahine coordinator or you can make an appointment with a lactation consultant through Hono Wahine or the Hub. She will visit you at home or at the Hub if you prefer. The Early Years Hub/Hono Wahine is a designated breastfeeding café at 79 Oxford Street Levin, phone 367 0030 or 367 6291

What Practical Help in the Home is Available?
1. Your Midwife will visit you at home up to 6 weeks after the birth of your baby. Then she will help you to choose a WellChild Provider.
2. In Horowhenua both Plunket and Te Runanga o Raukawa provide WellChild Services.
Either a Plunket Nurse or a Tamariki Ora nurse will visit you in you home to give you parenting information, check your baby’s development and make sure you are getting the   support you need.
3. Various organisations like Barnardos and Horowhenua Family Support Services also have family support workers who can assist. Contact the Hub for help with choosing the right service for you.

Where Can I Learn About Parenting?
1. Family Start Programme – A Family Start Worker will visit you regularly to provide advice, guidance and support. Phone Te Runanga o Raukawa Phone 06 3688 8678
3. Parenting Courses – You can find some parenting courses in the Levin Early Years Hub Directory. Visit or ring the Hub for a list of courses running at the moment.
4. The library has a good selection of parenting books. Just ask the librarian to show you the parenting section.
5. Some services offer one-on-one parenting advice – check out the Hub Directory or Phone 06 367 6291
6. Check out Hooking Up To Horowhenua on Facebook. This is an information site for local young parents.

What If I Am A Single Parent?
Birthright is an organisation that provides practical support for single parents. You will be assigned a fieldworker who will visit you at home. They are upstairs in the Levin Mall. Phone 06 368 7039

Where Can I Meet Other Young Parents Like Me?
It is important that you connect with other young parents to share stories and parenting information.
1.Levin Early Years Young Parent Group meets at the hub on Thursdays. Txt 022 150 0608. Check them out on Facebook – just type in Levin Young Parent Group.
2.Playgroups – see the Levin Early Years Hub directory for a list of local playgroups

Where Else Can I Get Some Practical Support?
Horowhenua SuperGrans is an organisation that teaches basic life skills, like cooking, budgeting, and establishing household routines. They can also provide parenting information and support. They are on the Ground Floor Cullinane Steele Building 28 Queen Street West, Levin. Phone 06 367 0680 and leave a message if necessary.

Updated 4/06/2013