No worries at all! If you're under my care as your private midwife, I've got your back around the clock. Whether it's an urgent issue during the wee hours or in-between our scheduled visits, I'm accessible 24/7 for your entire pregnancy and for the first 7 weeks postpartum. And during business hours, feel free to reach out via email, SMS, phone calls, or through Voxer to tap into my midwife brain, seek support, or just have a vent session. Because let's face it, sometimes pregnancy can be a real handful! Rest assured, you're never alone in this journey.
Continuity of care allows for a strong and trusting relationship to develop between you and your midwife. Over time, you become familiar with each other's preferences, concerns, and needs, creating a sense of comfort and security. Knowing that you'll have the same supportive presence by your side throughout the entire process can significantly reduce anxiety and stress associated with pregnancy and childbirth. A continuous care model allows for comprehensive education and informed decision-making. You have the opportunity to discuss your options in detail, ensuring that you feel empowered and confident in the choices you make regarding your care and birth plan.
Research has shown that continuity of care is associated with better birth outcomes, including;
🌟 Fewer inductions of labour
🌟 Fewer premature births
🌟 Fewer episiotomies
🌟 Fewer epidurals or other pain relief medications
🌟 Fewer instrumental births (vacuum/forceps)
🌟 More vaginal births
🌟 Greater satisfaction
🌟 Greater chance of successful breastfeeding
What happens if I need maternity care between visits or outside of business hours?
Yes you can! You can book in an obligation free MEET & GREET call HERE!
Telehealth Guidance: Offering remote support for VBAC education, research, and advocacy, ensuring you're well-prepared for a successful birthing experience.
Newborn Preparation: Equipping you with essential knowledge and tools to confidently welcome your newest family member.
Comprehensive Childbirth Education: Delving into all aspects of childbirth to empower you with the information and confidence needed for a positive birth experience.
Expertise in Multiple Pregnancies: Providing specialized support, education, research, and advocacy for those expecting multiples, tailored to your unique needs.
Navigating the Medical Maze: Offering guidance and advocacy to help you confidently navigate the often complex medical system.
Breastfeeding Empowerment: Providing education, preparation, and ongoing support to help you establish a successful breastfeeding journey.
Personalized Birth Planning: Collaboratively creating a birth plan that aligns with your values and preferences for a birthing experience that's uniquely yours.
Informed Caesarean Preparation: Offering education and preparation for an empowered caesarean birth, ensuring you have the information you need to make the best choices for you and your baby.
Exploring Maternity Care Options: Providing insights and information on the various maternity care choices available to help you make informed decisions.
Early Postpartum Support: Offering dedicated support in those crucial initial weeks, helping you navigate the transition into motherhood with confidence.
Newborn Care Expertise: Equipping you with the knowledge and support needed to care for your newborn, ensuring both you and your baby thrive.
Birth Debriefing: Creating a safe space for you to reflect, process, and find healing in past birth experiences, allowing you to move forward with confidence and empowerment.
I still have more questions, can we meet to discuss them?
Tell me some ways you have supported women
I have two clinics located in Melbourne, one in Moonee Ponds and the other in Altona North. Additionally, I offer the convenience of telehealth, zoom, and phone consultations. The best part? These virtual services are available to individuals across Australia. If you meet the criteria, which includes having a valid Medicare card, a referral from a GP, and are currently pregnant or within the first 7 weeks postpartum, you may also be eligible to utilise bulk billing services. So, no matter where you are, I'm here to support you on your journey!
Where do you offer your services?
Having a private midwife is inclusive for all women, including those with high-risk pregnancies. Often, women with complex pregnancies miss out on midwifery care as their care is primarily overseen by obstetricians. However, it's crucial to recognise that even in high-risk scenarios, having a Private Midwife can be incredibly beneficial. I walk alongside you through pregnancy, working hand-in-hand with your obstetricians to ensure your unique needs are met.
In some cases, due to health issues or complications, giving birth in a hospital may be the safest option. However, this doesn't exclude the possibility of having a Private Midwife. I can still provide you with specialised care, working in harmony with the hospital staff. So, if you find yourself with risk factors, rest assured that having a Private Midwife is a viable and supportive option for you.
The term "midwife" is derived from the Old English words "mid" (meaning "with") and "wif" (meaning "woman"). Therefore, at its core, "midwife" literally translates to "with woman."
This beautifully encapsulates the essence of midwifery care. It signifies the profound partnership between the midwife and the expectant mother, emphasizing the idea that the midwife is not just a healthcare provider, but a companion on the journey of pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood.
Being "with woman" embodies the commitment of the midwife to walk alongside the mother, offering support, guidance, and expertise. It signifies a deep understanding of the unique needs, experiences, and strengths of each woman they care for. It's a reminder that the birthing process is a shared experience, where the midwife is there to offer not only medical expertise but also emotional and practical support.
This term reflects the holistic and woman-centered approach that midwives bring to their practice. It acknowledges the importance of trust, empathy, and a collaborative relationship between the midwife and the mother, ultimately contributing to a more positive and empowering birthing experience.
In essence, "with woman" embodies the heart of midwifery - a dedication to standing beside women, honoring their choices, and helping them navigate the transformative journey of childbirth. It's a reminder that in midwifery, the focus is not only on the outcome of the birth, but on the experience and well-being of the woman throughout the entire process.
How a midwife can best support you, here are some key ways:
Personalised Care: A midwife offers individualised care tailored to your specific needs, preferences, and circumstances. They take the time to get to know you and your unique situation.
Continuity of Care: One of the strengths of midwifery care is the continuity of support. Your midwife will be with you throughout your pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum period, providing consistent care and building a strong, trusting relationship.
Promoting Normal Physiological Birth: Midwives are dedicated to supporting the natural processes of labor and birth. They have a deep understanding of the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy and childbirth. They work to minimize unnecessary
Empowerment and Education: Midwives prioritize providing you with information and education about your pregnancy and birthing options. They empower you to make informed decisions about your care and birthing plan.
Advocacy: Your midwife acts as your advocate, ensuring that your preferences and wishes are respected and supported during labor and birth. They work alongside you to create a birth plan that aligns with your values.
Physical and Emotional Support: Midwives offer both practical and emotional support during labor and birth. This can include pain relief techniques, comfort measures, and emotional reassurance to help you feel more at ease.
Holistic Approach: Midwives often take a holistic approach to care, considering not only the physical aspects of pregnancy and birth but also the emotional, mental, and social well-being of the mother.
Postpartum Care: Beyond the birth, a midwife continues to provide support during the postpartum period, ensuring you and your baby are both healthy and adjusting well.
I have risk factors – can I have a private midwife?
What exactly is a Midwife and how can a midwife best support me?
Why is continuity of care so important?
Private midwifery care, is all about putting you in the driver's seat. It's a journey that's dictated by your preferences and needs, not by tick boxes or institutional protocols. With private midwifery, you have the power to handpick your care provider, ensuring a strong and trusting relationship. This continuity of care means you'll have the same skilled professional by your side from pregnancy through postpartum, providing personalised support and guidance tailored to you. It's a level of autonomy and choice that's often not as readily available within the more structured environment of hospital midwifery care. In a nutshell, it's about making sure your journey is uniquely yours, every step of the way.
Also, I not only provide the full spectrum of clinical care that a hospital midwife does, but I also offer an extra layer of convenience and personalised attention. This includes the ability to organize screening, pathology, and testing as needed during both pregnancy and postpartum, ensuring comprehensive care for both mum and baby. It's about bringing hospital-level expertise and merging it with the tailored, one-on-one support that private midwifery is all about.
How does private midwifery care differ from hospital midwifery care?
Absolutely! You can definitely have a private midwife and plan to give birth in a hospital. I'm here to provide you with comprehensive antenatal care, including all necessary screenings and tests. You have options: we can work in partnership (shared care) with your chosen birthing hospital, ensuring a seamless continuum of care, or the hospital can handle all clinical aspects while I focus on education, guidance, advocacy, and addressing any lingering questions or concerns. It's all about tailoring the experience to what makes you feel most comfortable and empowered.
Can I have a private midwife and plan to birth in a hospital?