Best Start Pregnancy Kōwae (modules)

As part of the National Gen2040 program, Pinnacle is implementing the Best Start Pregnancy Kōwae (modules). 

Best Start Kōwae are a suite of best practice based assessment modules designed to improve quality care throughout the pregnancy and early postpartum journey. They've been created to support consistent, comprehensive, and quality care by promoting enquiry, management, and referral to support services. The modules are designed with a pro-equity approach for Māori hapū māmā and pēpī Māori.

The point of difference for Best Start Pregnancy is the built-in decision support, enabling identification of issues and early intervention, which has been developed using up-to-date national and international evidence-based guidelines and guidance. 

The pregnancy and early postpartum journey

There are three touch-points over the completion of four assessments.

1. Best Start pregnancy: A comprehensive early pregnancy assessment carried out at the confirmation of pregnancy consultation. Meets the requirements for Section 88 non-LMC first trimester claim.​ 
2. Best Start 2nd trimester check: Recall assessment at 16-weeks to have flu and pertussis vaccinations. Also provides an opportunity to check in on māmā and her engagement with any support service referrals identified during the Best Start Pregnancy consult.
3. Best Start 6-week check pēpī:
   Enhanced Well Child check 6-weeks postpartum.
4. Best Start 6-week check māmā (in development): General wellbeing check-in with māmā and follow up care. When the 6-week check for māmā is implemented it will be undertaken at the same time as the 6-week check for pēpī.”

Please note: the funding for this programme ended 30 June 2025. The Best Start Kōwae tools themselves remain available and unaffected.