More than a Midwife

27/07/2025

Celebrate your breastfeeding journey for world breastfeeding week 😍🥰🩷

Join us for a fun breastfeeding photo shoot

26/07/2025

Why do kids shout “Mum!” when Dad is standing right there... doing nothing...
while Mum is halfway through dinner, folding laundry, answering a work message, and thinking about school lunches?

Because somewhere along the way, Mum became the default.
Not just the nurturer, but the knower.
The finder of things.
The rememberer of birthdays, appointments, socks that feel right.
The one who can sense the fever before the thermometer reads it.
The one who holds it all — even when she’s not holding anything physically at all.

And most of the time, she does it without being asked.
Without being seen.
Without being thanked.

Because she knows no one else will.

This post isn’t a complaint. It’s a mirror.
A moment of truth for every mother wondering why she feels so tired, even when “nothing big happened.”

It’s because the weight isn’t visible.
But it’s there.
And it’s real.

To the mother making five decisions in her head before she even opens her eyes...
To the one who can’t remember the last time she sat down without being touched, asked, needed, or interrupted...
To the one who answers “Muuuum!” even when she’s running on empty —

I see you.
And you’re not alone.

Tag the mum in your life who answers the call before anyone else even hears it.
And if that mum is you — send this to yourself. You deserve to feel seen.

I know this because this is me. I have found myself going WHY ME! several times today alone.

*Note this is not about partners/husbands/supports not doing enough - because there are some super amazing partners out there - I am pretty lucky to have one. But, this is still so real for so many of us! So please, this is not complaining that we need anything. But to simply acknowledge the mental load of being a mum. The constant MUM... that happens.

24/07/2025

In this video, I discuss the new VitalTrace device, a continuous scalp lactate monitor that measures fetal lactate levels rather than oxygen levels. It's crucial to clarify that high lactate levels indicate fetal compensation in low oxygen situations, not necessarily distress or harm. While this dev...

23/07/2025

Heard the word asynclitism during labor and felt overwhelmed?
Here’s what it actually means — and why it doesn’t mean your body is failing.

Asynclitism is when your baby’s head enters the pelvis at an angle, instead of straight on.
It’s super common — and often part of the body’s normal dance toward birth.

The head may be tilted slightly to the side (ear toward shoulder), or the crown might not be the first part presenting. This angle can make descent and dilation take longer, because the head isn’t applying even pressure on the cervix.

🤍 But here’s the part no one tells you:
Asynclitism doesn’t mean something is wrong.
It just means we might need to give your baby — and your body — more time, space, and support to figure things out.

How You Might Know It’s Happening:

Irregular or very strong contractions with little change
Back pain or pelvic pressure that doesn’t feel symmetrical
Exhaustion from a labor that’s not following a predictable rhythm
Being told your baby is “high” or “not engaged” yet
A sense that something just feels off

What Can Help:
🌀 Changing positions (side-lying, hands and knees, lunges)
🌀 Rebozo or belly sifting
🌀 Staying upright and mobile if possible
🌀 Bodywork during pregnancy (osteopathy, chiro, myofascial release)
🌀 Patience. Space. Support.
🌀 Reminding yourself: your body is not broken — your baby is just navigating

Final Message:
If you’re in labor and hear the word asynclitism, here’s what I want you to know:

You didn’t do anything wrong.
Your baby is still working with you.
And with the right support, many babies rotate beautifully on their own.

Birth isn’t a straight line — and your body doesn’t need saving.
It needs space to do what it knows.

Save this post for your pregnancy prep.
And if you want care that helps you feel informed before you’re in labor — I’m here.
DM me to chat about what your options could look like.

18/07/2025

Birth trauma isn’t rare - 1:3 women in Australia describe their birthing experience as traumatic, and approximately 1:10 birthing partners will also feel the effects of birth trauma.

It’s just not always recognized.
Or worse — it’s dismissed as “a healthy baby is all that matters.” And this is the story we are often sold.

Trauma doesn’t only come from emergencies.
It comes from being ignored.
Dismissed.
Rushed.
Cut open without consent.
Touched without explanation.
Told to stay quiet when every cell in your body was screaming to be heard.
Not given the alternative options.

If you walked away from birth feeling broken, confused, or silenced — that wasn’t your fault.
You didn’t fail.
You were failed.

Birth trauma can happen in any setting.
It’s not about strength or weakness — it’s about how you were treated.

You deserve to talk about it.
You deserve to name it.
And most of all — you deserve care that centres your voice.

This week — and every week — I’m here for honest conversations.
If your birth still echoes in your body in ways you haven’t been able to explain, you’re not alone.
My DMs are open, always.

We see you.
We hear your stories.
We are here to fight for empowered birth experiences.

Held in trust. Born in power.

17/07/2025

“Empowered birth” gets thrown around a lot — but most people miss what it really means.

It’s not about getting everything “right.”
It’s not about where you birth.
It’s not about control or perfection.

Empowered birth means you’re in charge.
You’re the one asking questions.
Making decisions.
Being heard — not rushed or overridden.

When you’re seen, respected, and informed, you don’t just bring a baby into the world…
You step into motherhood with power and clarity.

That’s the kind of care I offer.
That’s what I believe every woman deserves.

Save this if it’s the kind of support you’re looking for — or send it to someone who needs it.

08/07/2025

REMAINING AVAILABILITY for 2025, and bookings open for 2026.

If you’re considering midwifery care, birth support, or postpartum guidance, now is the time to reach out. Let’s chat about how I can support you. 💛 (also, it's never too late to change care providers if your current provider doesn't feel aligned with you).
Full continuity of care includes all pregnancy care, referrals, ultrasounds, pathology, scripts, postpartum care for 6-8 weeks and intrapartum support either at home or in hospital.

Postpartum support is such a crucial part of the early parenting journey, but in so many models of care, this is not well supported! We know there is a lack of support during those crucial moments as a new mum, whether it's your first babe or your fifth or anyone in between.
Postpartum support includes mum and bub check in's including weights and feeding support, linking to community supports, it is also tailored to you - so if you want some extra help around the house, need some meals delivered, or just someone to come and sit and hold space then that is all available also!

📩 DM me or visit www.morethanamidwife.com.au/contact to book your space.

07/07/2025

And this is why Mumma G Midwifery and Lactation Support and I are attending the Breech Without Borders workshop in Sydney next month!

No excuses here. 🙌🏻

And that’s why it’s time to reclaim it, all of it, as part of midwifery.

Once a normal variation of birth, breech is now so often treated as emergency or high risk. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

With the right training, support, and trust in physiology, we can hold space for these births again.

I’ve been deepening my breech skills lately. Rebuilding the knowledge and confidence to support vaginal breech birth when it’s safe, appropriate, and aligned with a woman’s wishes. Because choice, safety, and tradition can coexist.

We don’t fear breech, we prepare for it.

This is skilled. This is sacred. This is midwifery.

_
| breech birth Australia, my positive birth story, pregnancy journey, breech birth story, breech position

06/07/2025

Anniversary spent right (13 years together, 7 years married)

Spending time with my amazing husband and the family we made together 😍🩷

27/06/2025

https://www.steffswainphotography.com/birth-photography/

26/06/2025

Want to have a Great Birth?
Imagine feeling confident, in control and fully informed when you meet labour and
birth.
Your birth can be GREAT, but there are essential elements that increase the
chance of your birth going to plan and in you experiencing a GREAT birth. It
doesn't happen by chance.
That’s why Dr Melanie Jackson is putting on this incredible live and free
masterclass to help you learn what you need to know and have a great birth.

https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/a/2148125533/Vgi5kwHL

In this free masterclass you will learn:

✅ The number 1 mistake I see women make and how to avoid it.
✅ The biggest decision you must make to have a great birth. You make it sooner than you think.
✅ 3 strategies you can employ during your birth to keep control and avoid unwanted interventions.
✅ The biggest failure of the maternity system and how to best prepare to overcome it
✅ PLUS if you attend live you have a chance to ask your questions during the Q&A.

Click the link and register today

13/04/2025

Let’s be honest — birth support isn’t always about doing more.
It’s about doing the right things.

If you’re a partner, support person, or dad-to-be wondering how to help… start here:

💛 Stay present.
💛 Don’t take over.
💛 Be her calm, not her coach.

And here are 5 things that actually help in labour — straight from a midwife who's seen what works:

1. protect the space 🚪
2. offer comfort without asking ✋🏻
3. hydration and snacks 🍶
4. match her energy 💕
5. remind her she is safe 🛡

💬 Tag your birth support person.
📌 Save this for your birth prep.