Oxytocin Squad
Let's Make Maternity Matter
Oxytocin is a hormone and a neurotransmitter that is involved in childbirth and breast-feeding. It is also associated with empathy, trust, sexual activity, bonding and relationship-building. It is sometimes referred to as the “love hormone,”.
Our Oxytocin Squad's aim is to spread the love among our wonderful midwives and maternity carers who look after those birthing, and be there in practical and emotional ways for those becoming new parents in the Hutt.
Join our Oxytocin Squad and volunteer on the ward, or become a behind-the-scenes supporter perhaps baking, knitting baby clothes, coordinating or sorting donations, writing funding requests or thank you letters to funders... Or you can perhaps help us out with our other activities and one-off events.
Since November 2019 we've been volunteering our time to make things a little bit easier for the midwives and other maternity staff over the busy Summer period and beyond. We don't want to add to their already high workload and stress, and we've found that it is the little things that can make a difference for them. So far we've:
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Decorated the ward with a huge (loaned) tree and other Christmas sparkles
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Un-decorated the ward in the New Year!
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Delivered platters and baking to the maternity staff working during the staff Christmas Party
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Delivered baking at other times
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Sorted and tidied the whānau room
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Coffee supplies in the staff kitchen with thanks to our lovely friends at Ripe Coffee, Petone
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Initially we were buying pizzas for the midwives on busy Friday nights, but with the fantastic support of Domino's Pizzas, Lower Hutt, for 18 months they were kindly supplying the pizzas and we made sure they are delivered. As from October 2021, Hell Pizza has generously taken on that donation each Friday night - thank you Hell Pizza in Petone, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt!
If you are unable to give your time, but can make a monetary contribution, please consider donating to us so that we can raise funds to supply the maternity ward and the midwives within the community with the supplies that they need, which will improve the service to women.