Intrinsic Midwifery

Lots has been happening in the background over the last few months, and my books are looking a lot fuller.

So I thought it was time to update my availabilities.

I generally have space for those wanting pregnancy and postpartum support, but for those looking at homebirth or labour support in hospital, my availability is limited.

Postpartum only care is generally available every month.

Reach out for more information.

When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.

Up real early on a short family trip.
Making the most of that view.

💜️

Price update for new clients from 01/07/2024.

If you are interested in private Midwifery care for homebirth or hospital birth, please reach out. I am only available for a small number of clients each month.

Shared care with a hospital or obstetrician also available.

A great giveaway from one of our local postpartum doulas.

Join me in an intimate gathering of pregnant people.
A safe, nurturing and open space to share what is most present for you.

Win a FREE spot in my upcoming pregnancy circle series.
3 consecutive Sunday afternoons starting June 9th.

This incredible offer (valued at $150) includes:

- 3 x 2 hour circles
- Guidance, support and connection with me, an experienced postpartum doula, matrescence and motherhood guide and women’s circle facilitator.
- Exploration of topics such as:
- The emotional and spiritual experience of pregnancy
- The inner work of pregnancy
- Childbirth as a rite of passage, the labyrinth of birth, birth dreaming and red thread linage
- Matrescence, postpartum, self care, support and honouring your body
- Space for individual sharing and wisdom weaving, ritual and ceremony.
- Free birth debriefing 90 minute session

To enter, simply:

1. Follow me
2. Tag a friend who may be interested
3. Comment with your email address (you can DM me your email address if you don’t want to share publicly)

Terms and Conditions:

Competition closes Tuesday 4th June 2024.
This offer is only valid for the upcoming Pregnancy Circle Series in June.
The winner will be announced on Wednesday 5th June 2024
This offer cannot be altered or exchanged for cash.
Only one winner will be selected.
By opting into this giveaway, you will receive emails from me. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Still tickets available for Tuesdays screening of Born at Home.

Come along and enjoy the screening.

https://tickets.demand.film/event/12612

February 13th 2024, gave us one hell of a storm.

You could see it coming, and the build up was epic to look at. Although its actual front was small, the aftermath was huge.
I experienced the storm from the safety of my car in our local IGA carpark. It was so intense, that it felt like the car was actually moving within its parking space. I wish I had of thought to save the dashcam footage at the time.
My partner and youngest son experienced the brunt of the storm at home, hiding out in the kitchen and watching the trees bend.
My eldest son and I were stuck up our Main Street for over an hour, as all roads home were blocked.

We luckily acquired minimal damage to our property, but lost power prior to the storm, and are yet to have it restored.
We are living on generator power currently, washing clothes at the laundromat or my parent’s place, slowly cleaning the yard and now collecting wood locally for next year’s winter.

We are ok, compared to some of our community, but each day is an adventure.
Local roads are still closed, as crews repair lines and remove trees.
The Main Street now has generator power to some shops, but we remain without power to most of our community, and likely restoration mid next week at best.

We now have restored phone reception, but internet is patchy most days. If you’re looking for a private midwife around the area, reach out by phone rather than social media or email for now.

Thanks to my community, volunteers and of course my family.

So excited for a trip away, and some new learnings.
35th National Homebirth Australia Conference.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is observed worldwide on 15 October.
It is a special day where families and their supporters remember the little ones gone too soon.

Today I remember my own little angels, alongside those of my family, friends & clients. 💜💜💜

Was a great day out to encourage Mums to think of their health & wellbeing.
An absolute pleasure to help out. ☺️

I’m getting involved in the MOTH’s (Mothers of the Hills) community event “Check Me Out Roadshow”. Come and catch up with me this Sunday (October 8th), as I talk about preparing for pregnancy, pregnancy nutrition and exercise, and planning for the postpartum.
There will be opportunities to ask questions of myself and other health professionals throughout the time.
Make it a social day, as you catch up with friends, as check in with your personal health and wellbeing needs for free.

https://www.mumsofthehills.com.au/all-events/check-me-out-sherbrooke

Are you or someone you know, due in October or December 2023, and would benefit from bulk billed private midwifery care from birth to six weeks?

You would need a referral from your GP or Obstetrician, and live in one of the following suburbs:
- Cockatoo
- Emerald
- Gembrook
- Mount Burnett
- Dewhurst
- Avonsleigh
(Further areas considered depending on interest, and small out of pocket cost)

Includes:
- phone/telehealth consultation to discuss plans for hospital stay and early postpartum plans (can be face to face or include birth planning, for a fee).
- bulk billed (no out of pocket costs) for daily/second daily home visits from discharge by your hospital till 7-10 days, as required.
- bulk billed (no out of pocket costs) for one/two visits weekly till 6 weeks, as required.
- unlimited text support 8am-8pm.
- phone/telehealth consultations as required.
- postpartum referral to health professionals, as required eg. Lactation consultant, physiotherapist, GP etc.

Limited spots available.

As a private practice Midwife, it is essential for us to collect & review our data/statistics, learn & develop our skills and participate in structured peer reviews.

Here I have put together data from my first full year of private practice, from July 2022 through to June 2023.

It’s been a year of growth and development, and I’m excited for the future.

Employing a private midwife doesn’t just get you a pregnancy provider. By choosing a private midwife you get someone who can support you from preconception, all they way through to six weeks postpartum. A relationship that develops over your pregnancy journey, to provide the highest levels of care and an experience tailored to you.

Preparing for pregnancy should begin at least 3 months before you start trying to conceive, with a health check from your GP (including pre pregnancy baseline bloods), healthy eating, moving your body, cutting out alcohol/drugs etc.

Reaching out to local Private Midwives pre pregnancy, may allow you to find a care provider that you connect with. Then you know who you want as your care provider when you fall pregnant, and can book in early to avoid them being booked up.

This document (and website) can be helpful with beginning your journey.
https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021/06/preparing-for-your-healthy-pregnancy.pdf

The NSW Inquiry into Birth Trauma, has now opened up to residents across Australia, with submissions extended until August 15th.
Submissions are open to women, birth partners, birth workers, midwives and doctors etc.
I encourage everyone to put forward a submission, and reach out if you’d like support to submit.
https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/inquiries/Pages/lodge-a-submission.aspx?pk=2965

A local event for new & soon to be parents.
An amazing opportunity to ask breastfeeding questions while having great coffee.

It's World Breastfeeding Week Aug 1st- 7th
Time for me to raise breastfeeding awareness in my local community again and give back to my local mums ❤️
So many have supported my business 🙏
Drop in for free breastfeeding/feeding/ baby/ mother advice or just a chat and coffee ☕️

My theme is educating around the new changes to mastitis/blockage understanding & treatment advice. I have made up some mastitis information pamphlets to hand out on the day.😃
I have been working tirelessly for 3 years to try and instigate change and it's finally here! 🙌🙌
Definitely something to celebrate!!
🎉🎉🎉🎉

There is a beautiful playground only a short walk from Ryan the owner is going to bake some special biscuits with a boobie theme. 😋
The coffee is the best in town 🙌

Mums and parents who are not breastfeeding are most welcome
Dads and any other interested family members are also welcome.
Hope to see you there ❤️

Shared care is a model in which your pregnancy care is divided between a Midwife, and either the hospital Antenatal Clinic or your chosen Obstetrician.
This allows you to have continuity of care throughout your pregnancy and into the postnatal period, and where visits can be modified to suit your needs.

Everyone's pregnancy, birth and postpartum journey looks different.
But research tells us that continuity of care with a known Midwife, improve outcomes for mothers & babies, reduces medical interventions and increases maternal satisfaction with care.
You can read more information about this here:
https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2393-11-82

Did you know I can provide pregnancy and postbirth care, in the comfort of your own home?
Even if you wish to have your baby in a hospital?

I also work alongside some epic private midwives who provide homebirth services too.

Fiona Wernke | Melbourne Midwifery Collective Private midwifery services, home and hospital birth. Located in Cockatoo, Victoria, Australia

New hobby of Intrinsic Midwifery - Umbilical Cord Ties.

Umbilical cord ties are a gentle alternative that can be used instead of or along with the usual plastic clip.

They are crocheted from light-weight cotton thread, measure a minimum 15cm in length plus embellishment, and come with instructions for use.

Designs/colour vary, and can be made to order.

Local pickup or postage available.

Who likes supporting local and FREE things?
These two lovely ladies from Melbourne Postpartum Services are serving our local community with a free workshop for pregnant parents to help them feel prepared for those early newborn days.
Take a look and share if you can, as it looks amazing!

Workshop: “Preparing to THRIVE With Your Newborn: The Essentials of Postpartum Planning.”

What Will You Learn:

Discover what actions parents can take so that instead of struggling they are placed on the path to THRIVING during the newborn stage

Receive a blueprint of the essential elements of a truly helpful postpartum plan

Learn the one simple step to take to reduce the overwhelm and foster inner confidence during those early weeks


Each participant will also receive a thank-you gift for attending 😊

Next Workshop:

Sunday 4th June at 3pm - ONLINE via Zoom

Sign up here via a link on their website: https://www.melbournepostpartumservices.com.au/mps-seminars

International Day of the Midwife.

Every year on May 5th, we celebrate our amazing colleagues, alongside ourselves, for all we do to support women and their families.

In our hearts, we know that continuity of midwifery care is the gold standard of maternity care, and that continuity of Midwifery care leads to the best possible outcomes for mothers and babies.
Unfortunately, we also know that access to continuity of midwifery care remains very low across Australia.

So reach out if you’d like to know more about continuity of care with a midwife, and suggest that friends and family consider it in their pregnancy care options.

During pregnancy, genetic screening is available to all women.

Whether you choose to do any type of screening throughout your pregnancy, is completely up to you.

Factors that may affect your choice may include:
- your family history
- your age
- how many babies in your current pregnancy, etc.

You also need to consider:
- how accurate are the results
- what are the risks, if any,
- what you will do with the information from the screening
- could the information help shape your pregnancy care?

This information is meant as a guide only, and further information will be available from your health care provider.

When the sun is shining and before the predicted rain, a walk in the countryside admiring the colours of autumn is a must.
☀️ 🍂🍁💧

So excited that this has been made virtual.
Ticket purchased 😁

Due to popular demand, we are thrilled to announce LIVE STREAM TICKETS are now available to our Live Event in Sydney, 'An Evening in Conversation'!!

You can join us LIVE no matter where you are in the world!
And if you can’t make it, buy a ticket and you’ll receive lifetime access to the recording of the evening.
Live Stream tickets are $33 (inc GST) - including the recording.
If you can join us in Sydney (so we can give you a hug) In Person tickets are $55 (inc GST) + booking fee.

Celebrating International Day of the Midwife - the evening will include:
1. An update from the Birth Time team.
2. Screening of the international multi-award winning film, Birth Time: the documentary (if you're joining us live online, you'll receive a link to watch this). 
3. A conversation with panelists Professor Hannah Dahlen AM, Dr Hazel Keedle, Lawyer Bashi Kumar Hazard, and Hon. Emma Hurst MP discussing the findings from the BESt study and what is ensuing as a result.
What is the BESt Study?
4 years ago, Birth Time and Western Sydney University collaborated in a Nation wide survey that was made available in seven different languages, post the launch of the award winning film, Birth Time: the documentary.
It became known as 'The BESt Study', standing for The Birth Experience Survey.
Women who had given birth in Australia in the last 5 years were invited to participate with the research seeking to understand the positive and negative birthing experiences women are having in Australia.
Over 7,000 women participated - one of the largest studies in Australia. The findings were recently collated which we can't wait to share with you at our Live Event!

We look forward to sharing this event live online with you and hope to 'see' you there!
All our love,
The Birth Time team
Jo, Jerusha, Zoe and Selina xx


Link for tickets in bio x

A great initiative to support pregnant women after pregnancy loss >20 weeks.

Are you currently pregnant after experiencing a pregnancy loss after 20 weeks?
We are looking for women to participate in a clinical feasibility study. Women will receive four free massage treatments within a four month period at intervals of their choosing. Study locations in Boronia and Croydon. See the details in the post or contact Sarah at [email protected]

Six weeks already.
Where did that time go?

Rounding out shared pregnancy care and postpartum care with this gorgeous family.

(Shared with permission).

Areas of service.

Intrinsic Midwifery is now servicing all areas in the purple region regularly, and those in the pink region on request (additional travel fee $20 per appointment).

Don’t hesitate to get in contact if you think Private Midwifery Care is right for you and your pregnancy journey.

To clients past, present and future, Merry Christmas and Happy New Years from Intrinsic Midwifery.

Thank you to those who have supported me and my little business as it was brought to life in 2022

My family and I are looking forward to new& bigger adventures for 2023, and we hope you are too.

Current availability heading into next year. Starting to book up.

Postnatal support available for December and into 2023.
GP referral required.

Absolutely loving The Great Birth Rebellion from and .
This week’s episode features Dr Sarah Buckley on Hormones of Labour, with some eye opening comments for both women and birth attendants alike.

Do your self a favour, start from Episode 1 and listen all the way through.