Depending on your guess-date, I may or may not be available.

If you are considering choosing a private midwife, I would advise contacting as early as possible to explore the option.

However, if you are further along in your pregnancy and find yourself looking for private midwifery care, it’s never too late to reach out.

Absolutely! I can support birth at home if that is what is right for you. Episode 2 of The Great Birth Rebellion discusses all your birth options in terms of caregiver and place of birth.

Care with me entails a continuity of care fee of $6500. A $2000 non-refundable Booking confirmation fee is paid in early pregnancy. The balance of $4500 is due by 36 weeks gestation.

Medicare (if eligible) will pay for your antenatal and postnatal care, if you provide me written consent to bulk-bill these visits.

The fee for the second midwife is included in the cost.

The investment is well worth the benefits.

Typically, it would be me then towards the end of labour when birth is close I would call the second midwife to attend.

It is a regulatory requirement to have a second midwife present to support you and your baby’s safety around the time of birth. I have a number of very capable midwives available to support homebirth, including another private practicing midwife. In some rare circumstances, the second midwife doesn’t make it for the birth, however we do endeavour for them to be present.

Then whoever else you wish to engage, such as a doula, photographer, or extra support people.

Both myself and my second midwives have skills in emergency management (not that it is often required). This includes neonatal resuscitation, adult life support and common “obstetric emergencies”. I also bring to your house a whole bunch of equipment to help us use our skills if required. However, spontaneous labour and birth at home is about as safe as life gets.

Also we can call the paramedics to attend for transfer should that be required.

Listen here for some extra supplies that a private midwife carries.

Yes, I have a doppler and a pinards (old school) to listen to the baby.

We will also spend time becoming aware of baby’s movements and developing intuition regarding the well-being of you and your baby throughout pregnancy.

The environment that births a baby safely also births the placenta safely. Quiet, dark, calm and warm and with patience. I have midwifery skills to help birth the placenta safely, if necessary, including drugs. You have lots of choices about the placenta but it does not require special disposal. Listen here. You can plant it, eat it, encapsulate it. You can even get keepsakes made from it.

Private midwifery prioritises personalised, one on one care, and is provided in non-clinical settings. In contrast, other models of care involves a more clinical approach, typically within a hospital setting. As a private midwife, I am not bound by the same guidelines and protocols, my recommendations are based on the best available evidence, however, your choice is absolute. You always have the right to say no.