What is a Private Midwife? Homebirth? Continuity? What is it?

Having a Private Midwife is gold standard care for your pregnancy, birthing and postpartum journey. It is like GP shared care, except that your care is provided by someone who works in normal pregnancy and birth all day, every day, someone genuinely invested in walking this journey with you and your family.

The benefits of hiring a Private Practice Midwife:

– Continuity of Care – ONE person to provide care, the SAME person to call when labour starts that will be there through labour and birth, there to follow up and ensure your transition to motherhood is as gentle and supported as possible

– Can prescribe and order medications, bloods and radiology (Ultrasounds), as there is only one primary care provider, follow up is ensured

– Spends an hour with you each appointment not only assessing you and your babies physical wellbeing but your mental, emotional state, these appointments include education specific to your pregnancy, family and needs

– Able to refer and consult with other health professionals if/as the need arises

TAKING BOOKINGS ON THE SUNSHINE COAST

What do I offer in addition to the above?

– I am a mum of three wonderful, roudy ratbags

– I was lucky enough to have continuity of care for all of my pregnancies, in the form of MGP and private midwives – these amazing women, my birth stories have helped shape me into the midwife I am today

– I am a homebirth mumma myself

– 15 years midwifery experience across various settings in Darwin, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast

– 5 years HypnoBirthing experience

– Extensive experience in Childbirth Education – creation of my Mindful Birthing program, online childbirth education, cesarean and postnatal programs

– Passion for woman centred care – I want to work with you, share my knowledge and watch you create your empowering and positive birthing story

My Private Midwifery Offerings

Every woman and family has different needs, preferences and circumstances. Whether you are planning a homebirth, seeking support following the birth of your baby, or wanting individualised care throughout pregnancy and the postnatal period, I offer different midwifery care options to support your journey.

1. Homebirth Continuity of Midwifery Care

Individualised care, familiar faces and continuity throughout your pregnancy, birth and early parenting journey.

My homebirth continuity model provides personalised midwifery care throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period. Building a relationship with your midwife throughout pregnancy means you are supported by someone who knows you, understands your preferences and is familiar with your individual circumstances. Care includes antenatal appointments, birth preparation, labour and birth support in your own home, and ongoing postnatal visits for you and your baby. My approach is grounded in informed decision-making, individualised care and supporting women to feel confident, respected and actively involved in their birth experience.

2. Postnatal-Only Midwifery Care

Dedicated support for your recovery, your baby and your transition into parenthood.

The postnatal period is a significant time of adjustment, and having knowledgeable, individualised support can make a meaningful difference to how you experience those early weeks. My postnatal-only service is available to families who have birthed in hospital or at home and would like additional midwifery care once they return home. Visits focus on maternal recovery, newborn wellbeing, breastfeeding and infant feeding support, newborn assessments, emotional wellbeing and navigating the transition into family life. Rather than feeling that support ends when you leave hospital, you have the opportunity to receive ongoing care, reassurance and practical guidance in the comfort of your own home.

3. Antenatal and Postnatal-Only Midwifery Care

Personalised pregnancy preparation and continued support beyond birth.

For women planning a hospital birth who would like a more individualised approach to pregnancy and postnatal care, this service provides private midwifery support during the antenatal and postnatal periods. Antenatal appointments offer time to explore your health, pregnancy, screening and investigation options, birth preferences and preparation for parenthood. We can discuss your choices, identify individual needs and help you feel informed and prepared for your hospital birth. Following birth, care continues in your home with support for maternal recovery, newborn wellbeing, infant feeding and the transition into parenting. This model allows you to develop a relationship with your midwife before birth and continue receiving personalised support once you and your baby are home.

Statement of Service

A Private Practice Midwife is a health professional specializing in normal pregnancy, labour, birth and postnatal care and support. I work with families planning to homebirth. As your Private Practice Midwife, I believe in your ability to labour and birth, I am there to support you and your team and assist you to be informed to make decisions throughout your pregnancy and birthing journey.

I am Medicare eligible which means you will receive a rebate for most services I provide with a booking at your local hospital. Prices are outlined in the price schedule provided on enquiry, including when full price is required, payment plans are available. Medicare rebates may be variable depending on the length on your extended medicare threshhold, previous medicare rebates and where you are due in relation to calendar year.

I will provide antenatal care for you during appointments at my clinic spaces at either Maleny or Eumundi (links to each below) or in your home. Where issues arise or when medical conditions are present that fall outside my scope of practice, I will consult with relevant health professionals to ensure the most appropriate care is provided. A minimum number of appointments are required to ensure we feel comfortable with each other and I have adequate knowledge of your medical and personal needs regarding my attendance of your birth.

I will support your homebirth or birth in hospital, as your support if it becomes apparent throughout your care that it is the most appropriate place. Where I am support, you are aware that I am unable to provide midwifery care and am present in a support capacity only. I can discuss and assist in you informed decision making, however I am unable to speak on your behalf, nor am I able to perform any procedures in this capacity.

Where a homebirth is planned, a hospital booking is required in the event of safe and smooth transfer. A further contract is required to ensure your understanding of the insurance and registration requirements of my attendance, reasons when transfer is recommended and circumstances, I will not attend birth at home.

In the event of an emergency, I carry equipment to deal with initial management, including catheterization equipment, neonatal resuscitation, drugs for bleeding management, often this is enough for most complications.

Where complications arise, paramedics will be contacted to attend to assist and transfer if recommended. There are a number of emergencies that require quick management such as shoulder dystocia, these are discussed in your initial appointment not to create fear, however, to remove unnecessary trauma that may occur through interventions occurring quickly in the event they are required.

I will provide postnatal care until your baby is 6 weeks old, home visits provided days 1 to 3, day 5, 7 and weekly/fortnightly at home/clinic dependent on your needs. I will provide Vitamin K (oral or injection) for women wanting this for their baby. I will attend to the neonatal screening test in your home.

Private Midwifery Services