Connected Hypnobirthing

29/08/2025

As a private midwife, I don’t have hospital policy dictating my practice so I have to rely on 4 things when giving information about a possible course of action in every scenario:

1. The woman’s preferences - she is the priority. What does she want? What does she already know
2. The clinical picture - what is going on? Is there a problem? What is the diagnosis? Or is everything fine?
3. The scope of the clinician - some clinicians are more skilled than others, some have more knowledge and experience… maybe the woman needs something I can’t offer her.
4. Research evidence - what does the research say.

What else do you use/consider when offering clinical options to women?

24/08/2025

21/08/2025

21/08/2025

Saddened to hear the passing of the incredible Michel Odent. He was such an advocate for water birth, dim lighting, quiet and warmth for birthing women. 💔

We are saddened to hear news of the passing of Michel Odent, whose vision and writing reshaped the way we understand human birth.

Michel Odent reminded us that birth is not a medical procedure to be controlled, but a primal rythm to be respected. He advocated for home-like maternity units, warm water births, protecting the birthing woman's privacy and honouring her instincts, undisturbed contact between mother and newborn; he was among the first to discuss the importance of the microbiome, and question many of the practices that had (and have) become normalised in overmedicalised maternity systems globally.

Michel Odent's legacy lives on in every dimmed, quiet birthing room, and in every midwife his words and work inspired to join our profession.

Thank you, Michel, for your passion, vision and committment to women and newborns.

Photo: Xavier Caré / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA

17/08/2025

My glimmers from the weekend at the Convergence of Rebellious Midwives Conference in Sydney…
~ A photo of 2 incredible midwives that I love hearing speak Dr Athena Hammond & Dr Melanie Jackson and realizing how much healing I have done since last years conference and how different Athena’s talk landed this year and I am forever grateful for everything I took away from last years conference that helped along the way.
~ a hug from a beautiful friend
~ listening to Ina May Gaskin .gaskin

Can’t wait for next year, always look forward to filling up my cup by coming along.

07/08/2025

I AM OFFICIALLY AN ENDORSED MIDWIFE!

After a long patient 2.5month wait from when I submitted my application and this being 2.5yrs in the making, I can finally say that I am an endorsed midwife with my application approval coming through from AHPRA today!

I think I am still in shock so my hope in posting this will make it feel more real. All the hours attending birth, going back to Uni while running a business, teaching classes and with family life has all been so worth it. I am so grateful for my family, friends and some really special private midwives for helping me make it work and at all possible but also for their endless support and encouragement.

I am now officially an endorsed midwife and soon to be private midwife (need to sort prescriber number and insurance first) and will be taking on clients in the west of Adelaide from 2026. So look out for a slight business name change coming!

29/07/2025

Melanie The Midwife dropped a bit of a bomb on Insta this morning that got people talking about CTG monitoring. She then handballed it off to me to keep the conversation moving. In case you missed it - this was part of my contribution.

28/07/2025

September Group Hypnobirthing Class 2025

August is all booked out and this is my last down south for this year.

2 Full Sundays 14th & 21st of September from 10am-5:30pm.

Held at Coast Family Chiro in Noarlunga Downs .chiro

Ideal time to do a class is anywhere between 20-34 weeks of your pregnancy but I have had couples between 18-38weeks of pregnancy in my classes before.

8 couples per group class, the cost is $570 per couple. You get two days of education with a Registered Midwife, morning and afternoon tea provided, your hypnobirthing booklet and ongoing learning resources and ongoing email support from me is included.
Contact with Nikki to find out more with a DM or email at nikki@connectedhypnobirthing.com.au or you can book in directly via my website that is linked in my bio.

12/07/2025

Birth Trauma Awareness Week in 2025
14th -20th of July 2025
The theme this year is “This is Birth”, which is about acknowledging individual experiences and stories of birth, that each birthing journey is different and unique and recognising that each experience matters.

Birth Trauma Awareness Week is held each year to help people understand what birth trauma is and that birth can cause physical and/or emotional trauma and to highlight the need for better care, support and understanding.

This year there is a focus to advocate for safe, respectful and compassionate maternity care for all and to highlight the inequalities faced by various groups during pregnancy, birth and postnatal care.


Birth is a right of passage and it shapes us and stays with us for our whole life. Both physical and emotional safety are equally important when someone is giving birth. Birth trauma looks different for everyone, it may be physical, emotional or both, for some it is straight after birth and for others it may months or years later to realise and/or acknowledge and/or accept they feel their birth was a traumatising experience. All birth trauma is valid, it matters and everyone deserves the opportunity to have support. Health care providers can experience birth related trauma as well. 

Birth Trauma Australia are a great support page and if you have experience birth trauma you can head to their website and share your story as part of the awareness campaign, also check out their resources to support anyone going through birth trauma.

I have also written a blog post with the local support for any one experiencing birth trauma.
https://www.connectedhypnobirthing.com.au/resources/birth-trauma-and-mental-health-support-services-in-adelaide

29/06/2025

22/05/2025

August Group Hypnobirthing Class 2025

Given June is all booked out (it’s not even June yet so thank you to the 8 couples I have coming along). Please note I am not holding a group in July which means August is up next and it is already filling so I better get on with posting!

2 Full Sundays 3rd & 10th of August from 10am-5:30pm.

Held back in the north/west in Semaphore upstairs at the beautiful venue that is Vitality Semaphore 69 Semaphore Rd.

Ideal time to do a class is anywhere between 20-34 weeks of your pregnancy but I have had couples between 18-38weeks of pregnancy in my classes before.
8 couples per group class, the cost is $550 per couple if you book before the 1st of July; after the 1st price is going up to $570 per couple due to increase in venue fees. You get two days of education with a Registered Midwife, morning and afternoon tea provided, your hypnobirthing booklet and ongoing learning resources and ongoing email support from me is included.
Contact with Nikki to find out more with a DM or email at nikki@connectedhypnobirthing.com.au or you can book in directly via my website that is linked in my bio.

05/05/2025

Happy International Day of the Midwife 💜
It is an honor and privilege to do what I get to do, I feel it is a calling and it is nice to have a day like today to pause and reflect. For me to be able to do this ‘work’ if I can call it that, I want to acknowledge those that make it possible and also support me, firstly my husband and my children who let me go for long days and overnight even at times they want me more, they know what I do is important and that I love it. For that I am forever grateful. My parents for being there for me, to listen and care for my kids when needed so can do what I love.
The midwives I work with now and have worked with in the past, have all taught me how to be the midwife I am today. Always being there to support, listen, and care not only for women but also for each other.
To the women whom we get to care for and be present with at the most powerful, vulnerable, transitional moments in their lives. It’s bigger than words can describe. I want to thank you.

There are times this work feels big, heavy and hard, there are parts people don’t see or we can’t share, there at times it feels like there is progress in this profession then times it feels like it goes backwards. It is challenging often but also so rewarding.

Lastly to my own midwives… thank you 🙏 I am grateful 🥹 .paterson.lactation