Melbourne Midwifery Collective in Mitcham, Victoria | Medical centre

Melbourne Midwifery Collective

Locality: Mitcham, Victoria

Phone: +61 488 962 231

Address: 3 Sharrow Road, Mitcham, 3132 Mitcham, Victoria, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.melbournemidwiferycollective.com

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• Medical and health
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• Pregnancy care centre

25.01.2022 Great article https://www.ogmagazine.org.au//3-22/homebirth-in-australia/

25.01.2022 Do you read to your bump? Research shows the benefits for brain development... and its just such a lovely bonding thing to do https://cpl.org/born-to-read-reading-to-your-baby-in-the-w/

23.01.2022 NO need to struggle at home with a new baby. Call Helen, an experienced midwife, on 0421108056, for more information.... Face to face postnatal care in your own home or online with Helen and a Medicare rebate. Bulk billed telehealth calls at no cost to you for up to 7 weeks after your baby is born. Support and information about caring for yourself, feeding, settling, sleeping, changing and bathing your baby. All your questions answered! 0421108056

23.01.2022 4 places left for this mindful mothering course starting early Feb in Preston! Is one of them yours?

23.01.2022 Helpful information regarding the Coronavirus and pregnancy http://theconversation.com/coronavirus-while-pregnant-or-gi

22.01.2022 Got a wonderful parcel in the mail yesterday. Thanks so much to #directrelief for providing myself and all the private midwives facilitating Homebirth around Au...stralia with N95 masks. These masks will help to keep us and those we care for safe during this COVID-19 pandemic and allow us to continue to provide safe women centred, continuity of care to the drastically increasing numbers of women choosing to #stayhome to birth. Personal protective equipment is already in short supply across Australia and midwives, particularly those of us who work in private practice have been overlooked by governments in their orders. Anyway, Im feeling richer than ever today thanks to this generous donation and all the efforts by #homebirthaustralia #midwifecollective #yarravalleymidwives and #emmaryder at #launcestonbirthcentre See more

22.01.2022 I love the clarity this picture emphasises... the importance of keeping our babies close. Lets : Encourage parents to trust themselves and their babies rather ...than belittling their instincts and medicalising pregnancy, childbirth, parenthood and sleep. Provide more consistent support for breastfeeding mothers instead of providing contradictory advice that undermines the breastfeeding relationship. Educating parents about ALL of their options when it comes to sleep and care of their baby, with accurate information including risks and benefits so that they are empowered to make informed decisions. Stop asking new parents how their baby is sleeping and instead reassure them that their baby is normal and perfect and they are doing a great job. * * #4thtrimester #postpartum #postnatal #postnatalmassage #pregnancymassage #inverlcoh #southgippsland #basscoast #wonthaggi #korumburra #leongatha #foster See more

22.01.2022 Welcome to Amanda Schmidt from Embracing Birth South Gippsland who joins the MMC community. Amanda has been a private midwife for over 10 years and is also a lactation consultant. Amanda travels all over to support birthing options. View her profile and contact her to discuss your plans & to arrange a consultation https://www.melbournemidwiferycollective.com/amanda

22.01.2022 Special COVID-19 Update To Our Wonderful Clients and their Families MMC Midwives have been in discussion regarding the coronavirus and how it will impact our model of care.... Please click the link below to read the following information and recommendations. We have included additional resources to assist you and your family during this challenging time. https://shoutout.wix.com/so/0eN4kNjGT

21.01.2022 Absolutely gorgeous

20.01.2022 Weekly meditation group facilitated by Jo Watson and Sue Power...

18.01.2022 Happy International Midwives Day. Thank you for all the midwives around the world for all your love and nurturing to the women, babies and families and your colleagues that you tirelessly give

18.01.2022 The Midwives at Birthing Instincts, including our own Erin Coggins, are offering live online HypnoBirthing and breastfeeding classes for couples living in Bayside and South East Melbourne to ensure you feel safe and prepared for your birth regardless of what's going on in the world. Please contact them if you want to feel informed, confident, calm and ready to meet your baby. For more information or to book please go to https://birthinginstincts.com.au/ ... #birthinginstincts #birthinginstinctsbayside #hypnobirthing #positivebirth #informedchoices #midwiferysupport #mumtobe #breastfeedingclasses

17.01.2022 MMC is a directory of passionate self employed private midwives. Check out their Facebook page and websites for more information

17.01.2022 Come find out more about this nurturing mothers group that starts in February 2020 with Jo Watson and Sue Power! This introductory session includes meditation practices and interactive discussion to give you a taste of the Thrive! sessions... reserve your spot and get your post-partum support crew on team! If youd like us to run one in your area please contact us. This one will be on at MAMA Kensington.

16.01.2022 Free online information session this Saturday morning, 10-11.30. A great way to discover what HypnoBirthing is all about, chat to experienced midwives, meet oth...er pregnant couples and have some fun with a beautiful relaxation. To book or for more information check our website: https://birthinginstincts.com.au//free-gentle-birth-info/ #birthinginstincts #spreadtheword #passionatemidwives #positivebirth #melbournehypnobirthing #birthinginstinctsbayside #calmbirth #affirmations #childbirtheducation #hypnobirthinginternational

16.01.2022 See our lovely midwives who have joined together to form a collective to ensure that women & their families have a greater choice in their birthing journey. Each midwife operates their own private practice. View our website for more information and to read their profiles.

15.01.2022 If you know any pregnant mums interested in doing HypnoBirthing, send them our way! Free online information session this Saturday morning, 10-11.30 & every seco...nd Saturday morning until the end of May. Where else do you have to be?! A great way to discover what HypnoBirthing is all about, chat to experienced midwives, meet other pregnant couples, have some fun and enjoy some beautiful relaxation. To book in go to: https://birthinginstincts.com.au//free-gentle-birth-info/ #spreadtheword #passionatemidwives #positivebirth #melbournehypnobirthing #birthinginstinctsbayside #calmbirth #affirmations #childbirtheducation #hypnobirthinginternational #hypnobirthingbayside

15.01.2022 THE IRONY OF CONTROL Youre pregnant. You are a practical woman, down to earth, conscious of health habits, respectful of human rights and family values, and... very excited to now be carrying a new life inside of you. You begin making plans for a sensible, safe birth. You start by reading the books and watching the videos. You decide to try for a natural delivery, no meds, minimal interventions, perhaps a water birth. You would like to have a few dear people present for support. And you want to breastfeed your child. Simple enough. You arrive for your first prenatal appointment, with your questions and your plans memorized. Youre not asking for much. Surprisingly, however, the responses are not what you expected: -Of course, you can attempt a natural delivery, but most patients opt for an epidural when the contractions become difficult. -Yes, you may sit in the tub during labor, but the baby cannot be born there. -You can have as many people in the birth room as youd like, assuming they dont get in our way. -Yes, we promote breastfeeding, if you can make enough milk. Your mind begins to spin. Yes, but , Yes, if . There is no security in these answers, nothing solid to look forward to. You want to KNOW whats going to happen, and you want the power to set this up for yourself. Clearly, you will need to be assertive, to get what you want out of this experience. You speak to your own mother about your less-than-encouraging prenatal appointment. She tells you that the most important thing is the baby, and that nothing else matters as long as the baby is ok. Wait a minute. What about YOU? What about this life passage, this sacred experience of giving birth? Doesnt the pregnant mom have some say in how it will unfold? You enroll in a childbirth class. The teacher reviews the names of common drugs used for relaxation, clinical rationale for intravenous therapy during labor, routine procedures regarding episiotomies and c-sections. She presents the pediatric recommendations for immediate vaccination of the baby, and explains that this will be done during the newborn assessment in the hospital nursery. Then she takes you and the other couples on a tour of the birthing suites. You ask about food services. She laughs and says, You cannot eat during labor. Whoa. You thought you were a consumer, but now you realize that you have precious few choices in this process. Its your birth and your baby, but the controls are in the hands of someone else. All you wanted was a natural, intimate birth experience. You didnt know youd have to fight for such a normal event. Your thoughts and emotions continue to spin. Spinning out of control, the control you apparently never even had. Grab on to something, quick! You hire a doula. You insist that your husband defend your mutual decisions about drugs, privacy, informed consent and bonding. Your birth plan has become a manifesto. You type it up, and carry it with you to your next appointment, requesting signatures from your care providers. They reply that they cannot sign such a document, for liability reasons, because situations can change suddenly during labor, which would preclude any established birth plan. You wont accept such authoritarian treatment. You shop around for another provider, another hospital. But the policies are all very similar. You begin to consider a home birth. You meet with a midwife. You shove your manifesto eh, birth plan into her hands. This is what I want! You confess that you never imagined giving birth at home, but you absolutely will not compromise on issues of safety and self-determination. Youre mad, youre upset. It shows. The midwife explains that pain meds are not used during labor at home. Instead, the familiar environment, food and friends will ease the pain of labor. At home, the laboring mother can choose her own position for delivery, and her own space. Some home birthers opt to deliver in the water, and thats ok. At home, breastfeeding is expected and the baby will be assessed right in the mothers arms. Then she adds, But sometimes emergencies do happen, and you may need to change your plans. We will help you, if this occurs. You ignore that last sentence. This is your only shot at a natural birth. Youll take it. As you learn more about birth at home, you discover that its actually a safe choice for low risk mothers. You find out that licensed midwives are sufficiently educated and equipped. You are astounded at the lower cost, but longer time spent at each appointment. You finally settle down and begin to enjoy your pregnancy. At last, YOU are in charge. YOU are in control. Your midwives will serve you. YOU are the boss. This is as it should be. But is it? Todays the day. Labor begins. Your home is totally ready, clean from ceiling to floor, and decorated with wildflowers and candles. Your music is streaming and your best friend is preparing a pot of your favorite soup in your own kitchen. Relax. Relax. You cant relax. You go for a walk outside, proud to not be anchored to an IV pole or a fetal heart monitor. Breathe. Be calm. Youre not calm. You set up the birthing pool in your living room. Ahhhh. Feel good? No. Why?! Heres why: In our culture, we have regulated and mechanized birth to such a degree, that the informed mother must become a vigilant soldier, if she is to experience a natural birth. She must become more than assertive, more than outspoken. All too often, THESE mothers become the proverbial Control Freaks. They talk of nothing but the evil medical system, and the rights of pregnant women. They plan every detail, to secure their perfect birth experience. They are not fun to be around. And by the time their labor begins, they are unable to let go. If you have claimed this new identity as a warrior woman, NOW you must take off your armor and open up. Easier said than done. Especially after such a transformation of character has been forced upon you. Your peaceful, common-sense, natural Self has morphed into a she-bear. How will you get back to who you once were? Where is the laid back YOU? How can you return to the original dream, and give birth to your baby in the peaceful way you had envisioned so long ago? because this is it! Today is the day your baby will come out! This is labor! The mystical, wonderful passage that you chose to honor and revere. OK. Just focus. You can still give birth the way you want. But you must understand. This is NOT a matter of resuming your previous Self. You have learned to defend your child, your values and your personal freedom. Now you must use this same strength and intelligence, NOT to return to your younger idealistic mindset, but to move forward. Life-passage, indeed! Now, take the next step. Release your grip. Today the battle is within. Stop spinning. Find your faith. Believe. If you have had to fight your way through pregnancy, in order to get the birth you want, this phenomenon could happen to you. Prepare for this possibility. You may need to give yourself some quiet time in the final weeks before birth, to practice letting go of the anger or fear which has accumulated. Youve been down a long road, struggling so hard for your very reasonable goal of a natural birth. Its ok to be angry or scared about all of that. But such anxiety is incongruent with your own hopes for a peaceful birth. Figure out how to shake it off. Talk about it until its gone. Pray about it. Drop your weapons. Then get ready for the joy of your life. To all of you amazing Warrior Women out there --- When you are in labor, you must, at last, SURRENDER! LET GO. BE OPEN. YOU MUST GIVE UP, TO GIVE BIRTH. This is that beautiful passage, and once you move through it, youll never be the same. ~by Pat Schwaiger, RN, CPM, Mountain Midwives, Billings, MT (written in 2013)

15.01.2022 Wow! Feeling so bloody proud (and a touch emotionally overwhelmed!) of our friends and colleagues Emma Ryder and Jaimee Amelia. These are rocking statistics and very well deserved public acknowledgement and accolades for a year of really hard work fighting to support womens choices and give women options in birth. If only all women could know what is possible and have the support to achieve it - imagine! Imagine what could come from that.

14.01.2022 I cant stop raving about this fabulous book by the wonderful Milli Hill. I believe its a game changer- just need to get everyone to read it! I have just ordered 2 copies after listening to the audiobook so I can share all the love, knowledge and reality check that Milli provides with my friends, clients and colleagues. I suspect I wont have possession of these copies very often- already got a waitlist! Wanna get on it?!

14.01.2022 It is the last day of World Breastfeeding Week today and the lovely Elaine Burns who I work with is undertaking the Return to Work and Breastfeeding study. Anyo...ne who has returned to work in the last 3 years and maintained breastfeeding can participate. We are seeking participation from women from all workplaces, industries and professions in Australia. This anonymous survey will invite women to share their experiences of combining return to work and breastfeeding and will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. https://tinyurl.com/RTWandBF Please help if you can

14.01.2022 I was talking about home birth last night. It’s your choice if you opt for home as your place of birth; for some it’s completely the right choice, others not ...so much. But it’s a choice that can have a huge impact on how your birth turns out. Posted @withregram @ @informedbirth What do you think when I say home birth? Do you think risk? Mess? Maybe you think it’s the absolute perfect place to be, but your birth partner isn’t convinced? Home birth isn’t for everyone and is a very individual decision, but when there are SO many myths floating around; you can see why it’s important to separate opinion from fact. The statistics above do speak for themselves. And this is based on the birther PLANNING a home birth. So even if you end up giving birth in hospital, your chances of intervention are significantly decreased if you plan to home birth. So what are the REAL risks for you? That’s something worth discussing with your midwife or obstetrician, because your case should absolutely be looked at individually. Established home birth teams are very well prepared, speaking to your local team is really worth doing if you’re weighing up risk. And about the mess? Being prepared with a few waterproof sheets and dark coloured towels is usually enough, and the midwives will take any medical and bodily waste with them in specialised bags. It’s also a good idea to get some extra support from parents who have had home births, or are booked in for home births in your area. Get connected and check to see if there are any local support groups or Facebook groups to put you and your partners’ mind at ease. Don’t forget this is YOUR decision, it’s your right to birth in the environment you choose, and it’s your right to change your mind too! It’s not written in stone, you can decide to birth in hospital when you go into labour if that’s what feels right for you.

13.01.2022 Fabulous write up in the Launceston Examiner today about the Launceston birth centre and our very own amazing Emma Ryder!! So much love and gratitude for this woman and the selfless gift she has given to Tassie. Now we just need some Tassie midwives to step up so we can have her back ASAP!

11.01.2022 As a result of COVID-19, an unprecedented number of families are now choosing homebirth. The inadequacy of the state based homebirth programs means that more fa...milies than ever are relying on homebirth midwives in private practice to provide their maternity care during these challenging times. But the access issues that have always surrounded homebirth have been made even more fraught by the pandemic and associated economic crisis. Families are maxing out credit cards and withdrawing their super to pay for their homebirth care. The Federal Government can fix this. Homebirth Australia call on Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt to fully approve the recommendations in the MBS Review Participating Midwife Report (including provision of Medicare rebates for homebirth), and expedite their implementation onto the schedule. These rebates will make sure all families get the support they need during this crisis, while taking the burden off the public hospital system. Lets all get behind this push, and help families stay home! Add your voice and email Greg Hunt MP here: https://homebirth.good.do/homeb/EmailFederalHealthMinister/

11.01.2022 B I R T H E S S E N T I A L S mindfulness, embodied consent and the science of safety Birth Essentials is my answer to the needed overhaul of traditional birth education... as this article points out.. ... I offer one off Birth Essentials for couples who want a 3 hr private session / and longer courses... either privately or in group form... 9 week mindfulness course for couples Mindfulness Birth and Childbirth Preparation MBCP Adapted from Jon Kabat Zinns MBSR program Numerous studies have been done on the value of this program MBCP... experience for yourself the power of mindfulness skills.... FIND OUT MORE 2018 study showing benefits from MBCP program: https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com//s12884-0 Results....... The participants descriptions show a variety in how motivated they were and how much value they ascribed to MBCP. Those who experienced that they benefitted from the intervention described that they did so at an intra-personal levelwith deeper self-knowledge and self-compassion; and on an inter-personal levelbeing helpful in relationships. Furthermore, they perceived that what they had learned from MBCP was helpful during childbirth and early parenting.

11.01.2022 Hi everyone!! This group is due to start on February 20!! If you are a new mum in the North.. consider joining our mindful mother community!!

10.01.2022 "What I didnt know then what I wish I had known then was that I was in the midst of the most rapid and dramatic neurobiological change of my adult life. Th...e unmooring I felt, and that so many new mothers feel, likely was at least in part a manifestation of structural and functional brain changes, handed down through the millennia by mothers past and intended to mold me into a fiercely protective, motivated caregiver, focused on my babys survival and long-term well-being. In the past two decades or so, researchers have begun documenting the makeover of the maternal brain. But while the transformation thought to occur is stunning, the brain remains almost entirely absent from the popular conversation about what it means to become a mother, even as a womans body the status of Kate Middletons baby weight, for instance is open to discussion ad nauseam. Entering into motherhood is a major event for the brain, says Jodi Pawluski, a researcher at University of Rennes 1 in France who focuses on what she and her colleagues call the neglected neurobiology of the maternal brain. Its one of the most significant biological events, I would say, you would have in your life.

08.01.2022 This unique mothers group is facilitated by myself, Jo Watson and my colleague, midwife, educator and counsellor Sue Power. We are offering this group to address some of the gaps we see in the early parenting months.. as newbie mothers.. 10 years ago, we both struggled to find our people, the mums in our local community who we could talk about the real challenges and joys of mothering, we felt isolated and longed for connection and a sense of belonging.. Thrive! is our answer to offering that space to others.. join us for our third group round at Mana Health... it's the nest we wanted but couldn't find...

07.01.2022 Great discussion on 774 radio about homebirth during the coronavirus pandemic. Fantastic interviews with our very own Clare Lane and Amanda Schmidt! Here we go! https://www.abc.net.au//the/the-conversation-hour/12500042

07.01.2022 MY CHRISTMAS GIFT TO YOU!!! 2019 has been a year of intensive study for me.. in embodiment, sexuality and consent. I am an almost graduated Sexological Bod...yworker. My mentor in scar remediation is a world leader in the field. Until January 31 I am offering 1:1 birth scar healing sessions for a heavily discounted price. $100 for 1.5 hours. Sessions include: - ACTIVE LISTENING intake process so you can integrate birth wound experiences.. - EDUCATION about scar tissue physiology, empowering you to be proactive about self care through understanding of your body.. - SKILLED PRESENT TOUCH techniques to release adhesions that can cause decreased sensation and impact function of surrounding tissue and organs - EMBODIED CONSENT coaching - TEACHING YOU these techniques so you can continue this effective work at home - SPACE HELD for you to acknowledge birth wounds and connect with your bodily experience, bringing present moment healing and integration - education, SUPPORT and COACHING in sexuality, body image and relating Scar tissue can be worked with even years down the track.. new scar tissue needs 12 weeks to complete the initial physical healing phase before we can work together.

06.01.2022 Jo from Red Thread Midwifery and Sue Power are facilitating this parents group. Click on the link for more details.

05.01.2022 A twin family home birth: Watch this mama of three become a mama of five while surrounded by her supportive husband and kids. "The children asked to be woken up... so they could be there to support their mom. Her oldest daughter wanted to be the one to "catch" the babies while sitting inside the tub with mom. I could tell that having her family there meant the world to her and certainly gave her some piece of mind." Videographer Michael Joseph Films Mama featured: @ready.set.chaos

04.01.2022 Home birth works! https://www.thelancet.com//PIIS2589-5370(20)30063/fulltext *Thanks to Sam Todd for the infographic*... #uhlhomebirthteam #birth #midwife #midwifery #midwives #homebirth #leicester #leicestershire #rutland #pregnancy #pregnant #waterbirth #bornathome #universityhospitalsofleicester #leicestermaternity #naturalbirth #positivebirth #newborn #newbaby #callthemidwife #NHS #betterbirths #continuity #birthmatters

03.01.2022 ALL SORTED MELBOURNE FOUND Looking for Melbourne mums who have just given birth or about to give birth during the second wave. Cindy Lever is doing a stor...y for Essential Baby on our study and the survey just launched today and would love to interview someone affected by all this. Thinking of you all as well during this very stressful time. Please message Cindy or I Survey below. https://surveyswesternsydney.au1.qualtrics.com//SV_8A1eQ6p

02.01.2022 Researchers were concerned that, "compared to in-hospital births, the long-term outcome of children born out-of-hospital, planned or unplanned, is poorly studie...d." (Researchers often use hospital birth as the standard by which the safety of home birth is measured. This is curious, because hospital birth is a relatively new intervention and it was introduced without evidence of safety compared to home birth. But that's another post.) So they looked at the outcomes of 790,136 children born in Finland between 1996 and 2013. These included planned and unplanned out-of-hospital births. Usually, it's better to separate the two as there can be quite a difference in outcomes. The fact that planned AND unplanned out-of-hospital births were included make the results even more interesting. They actually found that, although on the whole there is no difference in children's health at the age of seven, "morbidity (illness) related to asthma or allergic diseases and infections by seven years of age appeared to be lower in children born out-of-hospital." The paper is by Ovaskainen et al (2021) and it is freely available online at https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article More information on home birth safety and resources at https://www.sarawickham.com/research-up/is_home_birth_safe/ #midwife #midwifery #pregnancy #birth #doula #childbirth #childbirtheducation #birtheducator #birthdecisions #studentmidwife #childbirtheducator #drsarawickham #writersofinstagram #informedconsent #informedchoice #whatsrightforme #positivebirth #homebirth #homebirthuk #homebirthing #homebirthbaby See more