Midwifery Care for Pregnancy & Beyond
Bulk billed antenatal care available in Nollamara. Referrals no longer needed!
I am very excited to now be able to offer antenatal and postnatal care. As an Endorsed Midwife I am able to offer Medicare rebates and the ability to order tests and prescribe medications that might be needed. I can provide care from the moment the pregnancy is confirmed up to 6 weeks post birth. At this stage I am not providing labour and birth care.
I am also an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (the only formally recognised qualification for a lactation consultant) so I can assist with all things breastfeeding, as well as supporting you in your transition into parenthood
My philosophy
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It is a privilige to be a midwife and help care for women during their pregnancy and beyond
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Pregnancy and postnatal care should be woman centred*
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Pregnancy is a healthy part of life and should be looked at from a wellness perspective
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Women have the right to respect for bodily autonomy and informed decision making
*Click here to read an article I have written explaining what woman centred care means to me
Antenatal Care
Benefits of antenatal care with a private midwife:
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Care is done in your home or the clinic at a set time - no waiting for hours in a hospital waiting room. Evening and weekend appointments might also be available.
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Longer appointment times - up to 1hr is allocated (I believe in quality over quantity)
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See the same person each time - this encourages rapport and trust on both sides.
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Receive consistent information about pregnancy, birth, and parenting from a 'normal' perspective (rather than trying to find and manage a set of problems)
What will be done at the appointments:
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We can talk about what is happening in your pregnancy and what you can expect in the coming months or weeks
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Tests usually done at each appointment include blood pressure, urinalysis (a quick test of the urine that can be done during the appointment), listening to the baby's heart beat, measuring your 'fundal height', etc.
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Discussion of any tests that are recommended (eg ultrasounds, blood tests, etc)
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Birth education
Postnatal Care
Benefits of postnatal care with a private midwife:
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More appointments than what is usually provided by the hospital - generally hospital based midwives will visit you once or twice in the first week post birth and then you will see your Child Health Nurse around day 10 and GP at 6 weeks. As a private midwife, I can see you as often as is reasonable, up to 6 weeks and 6 days post-birth.
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Improve the chances of breastfeeding - I am an IBCLC, so I can help with breastfeeding from the start and quickly manage any issues.
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Reduces the risk of postnatal depression - having someone who sees you regularly can recognise any concerns early and hopefully prevent them from escalating by referring to the appropriate help quickly
What will be done at the appointments:
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Routine postnatal observations for you and the baby
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We can discuss anything breastfeeding or parenting related - infant sleep, self-care, linking in with parenting groups, etc
Postnatal care can start from the day after discharge from hospital until 6 weeeks post birth
Have your antenatal and postnatal care in the comfort of your own home
Antenatal Appointment Fees
In home appointments:
$150/appointment, or
$600 for 5 appointments*, or
$1100 for 10 appointments*
Postnatal Appointment Fees
In home appointments:
$150 for first appointment
$110 for subsequent appointments
$350 for 3 appointments (full payment required up front)
$660 for 6 appointments*
Unused antenatal appointments can be rolled over to postnatal care.
*half is payable upfront, then a payment plan can be negotiated
Medicare rebates are available for both types of care - how much will depend on the type of appointment and if your family threshold has been met
Lactation consultatnt appointments after 6 weeks will be charged at different rates (unfortunately there are no Medicare rebates after this time) - click here if you are over 6 weeks post birth
Note - you can see me for for just antenatal or postnatal care
From the moment I started my midwifery training I realised I wanted to truly be a midwife - 'with woman'
I love being a part of this new and exciting chapter in your life!
The World Health Organisation has described midwifery care as the 'Gold Standard' for maternity services.
According to the International Confederation of Midwives a midwife:
"is a [healthcare] professional who works in partnership with women to give necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labour and postpartum period...This care includes preventative measures, the promotion of normal birth, the detection of complications in mother and child, the accessing of medical care or other appropriate assistance and the carrying out of emergency measures."
August 2005:
Registered nurse and graduate program at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children (Bachelor of Nursing 2004, Notre Dame University Australia)
March 2007 - present:
Registered Nurse (and midwife from 2013), Neonatal ICU, PMH
January 2008 - December 2010:
Staff nurse in the UK at various hospitals in Oxford and London, mostly NICU and PICU
December 2011:
4 week work experience placement in Ghana, midwifery and NICU
February - December 2012
Post Graduate Diploma of Midwifery, ECU (required to work 3-4 shifts/week as a student midwife)
February 2013
3 week work experience placement Sri Lanka (labour and delivery)
March 2013 - December 2018:
Various midwifery jobs in Western Australia
July 2016
HypnoBirthing Educator training
December 2017 :
Qualified as an IBCLC
July - October 2018
Prescribing for midwives (Griffith University)
May 2019
Endorsement approved