Launceston Birth Centre

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Launceston, TAS
Launceston Birth Centre

A local birth house in Launceston that offers home birth, birth at the centre and hospital support b

The Launceston Birth Centre is a not-for-profit birthing house, run by a local consumer committee (of volunteers) working with a team of private midwives. We offer the option to birth at home with the support of two independent private midwives, birth at the centre or support for a hospital birth (if needed). The Birth Centre is supplying a “home away from home” for birthing mothers/families who are choosing the option to birth with a private midwife. The Birth Centre was started in 1983 as an Australian first and is servicing more than 30-40 families a year. The Birth Centre is a large house with two birthing suites; each room is designed to be completely separate from the other. It is designed so that women can stay for a full 24 hours after giving birth and still be in the “comforts” of home. Private midwives work with the mothers and families, visiting with them in their own home for weeks before and after the birth.

22/09/2025

THIS OCTOBER
In honour of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we invite you to join us for a special Morning Tea Fundraiser supporting Still Aware, held in memory of the six babies born still every day in Australia.

Launceston Birth Centre – Morning Tea for Still Aware

📍 Venue: Tailrace Centre / Kids Paradise
1 Waterfront Drive, Riverside TAS
(Access via lower car park)

🗓 Date: Friday 17th October
⏰ Time: 10am – 12pm

💜 Cost: $10 donation to Still Aware (please use the QR code attached)
☕ Morning tea provided. Real coffee and more available to purchase from Jude’s Café.

👧🧒 For the kids: Indoor playground access for everyone.

📲 RSVP: Text Josephine (0431 649 564) by Tuesday 14th October for catering purposes.

Donate here https://www.stillaware.org/get-involved/donate

Still Aware

18/09/2025

Please join us in welcoming Marine, Launceston’s new private midwife. She brings over 11 years’ experience, a passion for woman-centred care, and a heart for supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Learn more about her below 👇

Hi, I’m Marine the new private midwife in Launceston providing antenatal, intrapartum (homebirth) and postnatal care. I was born in France to physiotherapist parents. Then we moved to New Caledonia when I was young, so they could serve the indigenous and French community there. I’ve lived in Australia since 2007 and have been a midwife for over 11 years in Brisbane. I graduated as a midwife at the Mater Mothers’ Hospital in 2014 and have been working in private care midwifery group practice since 2022.

I believe in holistic, woman-centered evidence based care and pride myself in providing individualized care that will make you feel safe, supported, empowered and informed. Throughout your journey I aim to build a strong trusting relationship, we work as a team! My approach is grounded in respect for the natural physiology of birth, combined with sound clinical knowledge and a calm, reassuring presence.

I have a 2 and a half year old daughter named Lola who is my absolute world. Becoming her mum has transformed me as a woman but also as a midwife. They say “they grow so fast” and I’ve come to realize there is no truer statement, so I have learnt that motherhood is leaning into change, embracing the beautiful chaos and trusting her and myself through it all, because it truly is magic! My pregnancy and birthing journey strengthened my belief that continuity of care with a competent, trusting and supportive midwife is absolutely key to making you feel safe during this life changing experience.

After many years of supporting families in Brisbane I am now basing myself in Launceston, Tasmania. This community is where I wish to continue my passionate work as a midwife.

Availability for birth with Marine:
February - 2 vacancies
March - fully booked
April - 3 vacancies

Business address being created, contact Josephine if you would like to enquire into private midwifery with Marine.
0431 649 564
josephine@waratahmidwifery.com.au

01/09/2025

Next LBC Morning Tea

The September Morning Tea date has been set for Wednesday 24th September. These gatherings have become a wonderful way to connect with other families in the LBC community.

This morning tea is for anyone birthing at the LBC, or with our private midwives. It’s also a great opportunity to meet others and find out if this is the way you would like to birth. All are welcome.

Please SMS Carmel on 0456 202 837 to RSVP.
We look forward to seeing you there.

28/08/2025

Vale Michel Odent, a visionary in birth and maternal care, an advocate for physiological birth and whose research positively impacted generations of families, midwives and maternity care providers worldwide. What a legacy, thank you, Michel.

27/08/2025

✨ Launceston Birth Centre Morning Tea ✨
We had a wonderful turn out this week with 10 in total. Midwives Josephine and Michelle enjoyed connecting with the mums, bubs, two mums-in-waiting, and a couple interested in booking a private midwife 💕

Such a beautiful way to come together and share in community 🌸 We’re already looking forward to the next gathering — keep an eye out for the September date!

15/07/2025

"Between worlds I floated, experiencing the most empowering and euphoric moment of my life.
He was born in gentle peace, surrounded by love, and held only by those who cherish him most.
I couldn’t have done it without Jayden’s unwavering presence by my side, my mum’s comforting support, and our incredible midwife’s guidance."

Words from Zoey Woods first time mumma with baby Grayson.
Midwife Josephine.

Shared with permission.

24/06/2025

Acuneedling with Josephine explained.

To put simply, Acuneedling is acupuncture performed by a midwife.

I am trained to use this amazing form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which is safe, gentle and effective
for many pregnancy complaints, labour dystocia’s and postpartum problems.
I was taught by the incredibly talented acupuncturist and researcher Dr Kate Levett and Heidi Williams
(Midwife studying her PhD in this field). They train midwives in acuneedling particular points and techniques to
help assist women in pregnancy, postpartum and labour/birth issues as well.

Acuneedling may help with the following issues...

Pregnancy:
Pregnancy induced hypertension (high blood pressure)
Emotional support
Breech presentations (before and after ECV as well)
Nausea/vomiting
Heartburn
Constipation
Haemorroids/vulval & varicose veins
Insomnia
Itching
thrush
Back/hip/sciatica & symphysis p***c pain
Anaemia
Oedema
Growth restricted baby
Threatened miscarriage
Posterior position of baby

Postpartum:
Emotional support/release
Afterpains
Mastitis
Milk let down
Mother warming day 3-4 postnatal

Labour/birth:
Posterior position
Pre-labour activation
Labour activation
Delayed or retained placenta

It’s been one of the best additional midwifery skills I have attained as it’s been so successful whenever I use it.
I look forward to sharing my skills in this area to assist you with whatever you may need to alleviate your pain,
issue or complaint in pregnancy or your postpartum period.

For clients booked in with me to birth it’s free and can be performed during a routine antenatal appointment.
For those of you who would like to book a session with me it’s $70 + travel or room hire (LBC -$20).
I take a brief history and then perform the acuneedling +/- moxibuston for 20 minutes of therapy with “needles
in”

Please email me your details and why you would like to book a session and I’ll get in touch as soon as
possible. If you have any questions regarding this treatment please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Warmly,
Josephine
josephine@waratahmidwifery.com.au

20/06/2025

👶☕ LBC Morning Tea – Connect & Catch Up!

Families of the Launceston Birth Centre, you're invited to our monthly LBC Morning Tea — a warm, relaxed space to connect with other parents while the kids play!

📍Door of hope cafe
📌 Glen Dhu Street, Launceston

This is a great chance to meet other families, share stories, and enjoy a coffee together.

📲 Please SMS Josephine to let us know by June 29th who’s coming:
0431 649 564

We can’t wait to see you there!

14/05/2025

Internal Pelvic Release Work (IPRW) with Midwife Josephine.

What is it?
It is working within the internal pelvic space via the vaginal wall. Working with the soft tissues or “the soft
pelvis” as opposed to a woman’s bony pelvis.
Tension in this space can impact a baby’s descent into and through the pelvis during late pregnancy, in labour
and birth.

It’s a form of bodywork that connects us to our soft tissues through touch. Women’s bodies are beautifully
designed with the bony pelvis, ligaments ,muscles, blood supply, nerves, lymphatics and fascia (everything is
interconnected and interdependent!).
By releasing tension in this area it allows for a balancing of blood, lymphatic’s, hormones and energy.
It’s the “giving” or “signing” of our internal pelvic tissues that helps facilitate the “letting go” phase of labour and
birth. Our pelvic floor muscles become more elastic (once recognised and worked with) which can help to
shorten the second stage of labour, reducing interventions with birth and less perineal trauma (tears and need
for an episiotomy).

Women with past trauma’s - emotional, physical, sexual abuse can have some healing through having this
work performed (we can carry a lot of emotion and grief in our pelvic space!)
Women who suffer from painful in*******se, organ prolapse, scars or spasms can also benefit from IPRW.

Interested to learn more:
To book a 2 hour session of education, bodywork and internal release work email Josephine your details with a brief
message about you.
Where: at your house if you live in Launceston or at the Birth Centre
Cost: $240 (for all women not birthing with Josephine)
$200 (for clients booked in to birth with Josephine)

Midwife Josephine
josephine@waratahmidwifery.com.au

05/05/2025

🧡 Happy International Day of the Midwife! 🧡
May 5, 2025

Today, we honor the heart, hands, and dedication of midwives around the world. 🌍 From the first heartbeat to the first breath, midwives stand beside families during life’s most transformative moments.

This year's theme, “Midwives: Critcal in every Crisis”, reminds us that midwives not only bring life into the world—they help protect it too. 🌱💪

To every midwife making a difference with care, compassion, and courage:
Thank you. We see you. We celebrate you.

09/04/2025

Why Private Midwives Are Worth Having 🌸💖

Pregnancy and childbirth are deeply personal experiences, and having the right support is key. That's where private midwives come in — offering you the opportunity to choose where and how you want to give birth, ensuring you feel safe, confident, and comfortable every step of the way.

Having a private midwife means you get personalised care, continuity of support, and a team that’s dedicated to your individual needs. Whether you're preparing for a home birth, at the Launceston Birth Centre, or a hospital setting, your midwife will work with you to ensure your birth is exactly how you envision it.

🌟 Josephine and Michelle are available to support you throughout your pregnancy, birth and postnatally. Annika, on the other hand, is available for antenatal and postnatal care only — providing guidance and support through pregnancy and after birth, but not attending births.

Reach out to connect with Josephine, Michelle, or Annika and learn how they can help make your pregnancy journey as comfortable, confident, and empowered as possible.

Because when it comes to your birth, it’s all about choice. ❤️

2025 availability:
Josephine - josephine@waratahmidwifery.com.au
1 spot for June & November

Michelle - michelle@herchoicemidwifery.com.au
1 spot for September, November & December

Annika - annika@tamartocoast.com.au

Our midwives are booking up quickly, please don't hesitate to make your enquiry early.

12/03/2025

Tickets available here-
https://tickets.demand.film/event/13134

Address

Frankland Rise
Launceston, TAS
7250

Website

http://www.birthcentre.org/

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