The video, released yesterday afternoon, was filmed by Wanaka videographer Bel Jones with help from local campaigner Kristi James. It is hoped it will help persuade the Southern District Health Board to install a primary birthing unit in the town, and Government officials to review the funding model for rural community midwives.
Ms Jones said the mothers' stories outlined the importance of having a midwife and their ability to remain calm under trying circumstances.
''The underlying story was that not one of the women we interviewed felt that their midwife was pressed for time or that their midwife was under financial pressure, because their integrity is just so high that they care for every mum like they're their only patient.''
Under the proposed model for primary maternity services, released by the health board earlier this month, Wanaka is set to receive a non-birthing unit later this year.
But with the town down to its last full-time lead maternity carer from April 1, and 200 births expected this year alone, many believe it is not enough.
Ms Jones said given the rapid population growth in the area, it would be ''ridiculous'' if Wanaka did not receive a birthing unit and said it ''needs to happen''.
She believed having a unit would enable a ''more supportive and sustainable platform for there to be more midwives''.
Outgoing midwife Morgan Weathington, who told the Otago Daily Timeslast month she had been working over 100 hours a week for $5 an hour and had decided to leave her position due to it being unsustainable, was praised by the mothers in the video.
''Morgan's presence on the day my son was born was life-saving, she completely saved his life,'' Gemma Ward said.
''If I were to be pregnant now or in the future, knowing there's not a midwife to care for me in this area would be terrifying,'' an emotional Siomara Mugaria said.
Kristi James and her Save Our Wanaka Midwives Facebook page started a Change.org petition last week outlining the need for a birthing unit and a review of the funding model for rural community
midwives.
As of yesterday afternoon, it had received over 3000 signatures, which had left Ms James feeling ''really happy''.
''I think that that says that our community, friends and family all agree that the rural midwifery model for Wanaka needs to be recreated so that it's sustainable to keep existing midwives employed and to help attract some more midwives to the area.''
She said she knew a considerable amount of mothers in Wanaka had sent feedback to the health board regarding the proposed model of primary maternity services.
The health board announced yesterday it would extend the consultation period due to the ''large amount of interest'' in the proposal.
On April 6, Ms James, Ms Jones and other mothers will meet health board executive director of strategy, primary and communities Lisa Gestro and Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean to argue their position in person.
