My Midwives
Women's Health Clinic in Toowoomba

Antenatal/Pregnancy care
When you first come to my midwives you will meet one or two of our midwives and the midwife who will then become your 'continuity of care' midwife, which simply means the same midwife for pregnancy, birth and early mother and baby care. Your antenatal appointments are scheduled at different times throughout your pregnancy. It is at these appointments that your midwife will perform all the check on the baby’s growth, your health and your babies heart rate. Your midwife will order blood tests, ultrasounds and any scans and conduct all the elements of your pregnancy care.

Antenatal Classes
Our advice to you and your partner or support is to get as much information about the different antenatal class options in your area before you decide on education classes. There are several options available, and many women say that their wonderful birthing experiences were as a result of tips they learned at their childbirth education and parenting information course. The important thing is for the mother to research the available classes and choose one that best fits with her personal beliefs and desires regarding her birthing experience.

Birth Care
It is an absolute privilege for us to be there to support and witness you at your most powerful, birthing your baby. It’s miraculous every time. During your pregnancy, you will have worked out with your midwife how you would like to birth and where. You will feel comfortable with making informed choices about a range of scenarios and who will be present at the birth. You will have been in constant contact with your midwife in the build up to the birth and seeing her regularly so that by the time the first contractions start, you will be excited, confident and prepared. In labour your midwife is on hand helping you to choose when to go to hospital, she will then provide your care throughout your labour and birth until you have fed your baby and you both feel settled. You are always supported, heard, respected and loved as you go through one of the most major, intense and important transitions of your life.

Post birth/mother and infant care
During pregnancy (especially if you have never had a baby before!) the majority of your focus is usually on the birth but once your baby is born it can sometimes seem that birthing your baby is the easy part as new mothers struggle to get to grips with breast feeding, the disruption, lack of sleep and responsibility of taking care of a new baby. Post birth (or post partum) can be a very difficult time for any woman and we believe it is crucial that every woman accesses real and practical support whether that be in the clinic or in the home. We listen, we hear you and we help you. Postnatal midwifery gives the new mother the support, care, understanding and information she needs to successfully make the transition into motherhood. Our qualified lactation consultants and midwives come to your home and ensure that your baby is content, feeding happily and correctly, that you know how to take care of your nipples and successfully bath and settle your baby.

Breastfeeding and Lactation
Those first few weeks for a newly breastfeeding mother can be challenging. As part of your ongoing care you will be given support and advice for breastfeeding your new baby from both your midwife and lactation consultants. We can also provide this support and care for mothers who use other health care provider