How MAMA Midwives work with Melbourne hospitals
When parents in Melbourne start planning pregnancy care or birth, they often begin by searching their local hospital. It’s a natural starting point: “Where am I actually giving birth?”
Many families don’t realise that even if you choose to birth in a hospital, you can have a MAMA midwife to provide pregnancy care, to accompany you to birth in a hospital and ongoing postnatal care for eight weeks after birth!
Is Home Birth Safe? Your Care Options in Melbourne
The World Health Organization recommends midwifery-led care as the gold standard for improving outcomes for mothers and babies.
It’s not about where you birth — it’s about who supports you.
What Does a Private Midwife Actually Do?
If you’ve started researching maternity care in Melbourne, you’ve probably come across private obstetricians and public hospitals. But then there’s another option that quietly changes everything: private midwives.
What is Continuity of Care?
“Continuity of care models have less reported rates of birth trauma, obstetric violence and mistreatment, with the lowest reported rates being women who hired a privately practising midwife.” — Dr. Hazel Keedle, 2024
Do Midwives Only Do Home Births? (And Other Common Myths)
When people first hear about private midwives, a few myths often pop up. Some imagine homebirth-only, candlelit scenes. Others worry midwives aren’t “as safe” as doctors.
The truth? Midwives in Australia are highly trained health professionals who care for families in all kinds of settings — from home to hospital. Let’s clear up some of the biggest misconceptions.
Which Birth Model Is Right for You?
One of the biggest decisions you’ll make in pregnancy is choosing the model of care that feels right for you.
In Australia, there are a few different paths to consider. Some are more medical, some more holistic. Some involve seeing lots of different providers, while others give you continuity with the same midwife from early pregnancy through birth and into the newborn weeks.