General questions, fees, health insurance, Medicare

Where are you located?

My rooms are located at Bexley Chiropractic Centre, 637 Forest Road, Bexley NSW 2207. I am available by appointment.

Do you provide home visits?

Yes, home visits are available for an additional fee.

Where do you attend births?

I attend hospital births exclusively at Westmead Public Hospital where you would be admitted as a private patient. Low risk women also have the option of birthing at home. If hospital admission became necessary, this would be as a private patient at Westmead Hospital and I would remain your midwife at the hospital.

Do I need to be low risk to see you?

My service provides back-up obstetric care, allowing me to provide an all-risk model of care. No matter how high risk or low risk your pregnancy is, you may book with me for continuity of care.

I am concerned about the distance from my home to Westmead Hospital.

Please contact me to discuss your location. Women have travelled from the Eastern suburbs, Illawarra, Inner West and other areas of Sydney. Your pregnancy appointments are either in my Bexley rooms or in your home, and your postnatal visits until day 7 are all in your home or at the hospital. We put a lot of consideration into the distance from your home to the hospital and factor this in when we work out the right time to go to hospital in labour.

Can you actually "deliver" my baby at Westmead Hospital?

Yes! I attend births at Westmead Hospital in the full capacity of a midwife. Hospital staff are not routinely involved in your care.

What is unique about the care that you provide?

In a word, continuity! Healthy, low-risk women have the option of homebirth or hospital birth. Women with higher needs are cared for with knowledge and skill and continuity. Regardless of needs and preferences, all women have my skilled and continuous care throughout the pregnancy - new parenting continuum. This means there is no need for transfer of care to other care providers, just continuous and seamless care, come what may. The care is focussed on natural birth, and supports VBAC, vaginal breech and twin birth and water birth.

Does Medicare cover the cost of my care?

Medicare covers a large portion of your care but you would still have an out-of-pocket expense.

Will my Private Health Fund cover any of the costs?

Some health funds provide benefits for childbirth education and homebirth, and your private health fund covers your hospital admission.

Do I need to have private health insurance to see you?

Private health insurance covers the cost of your hospital stay and some funds cover homebirth and childbirth education. There would be an additional fee payable for your hospital stay if you do not have private health insurance, but this cost is not prohibitive.

What can we expect to pay for care?

Estimated out-of-pocket costs for private midwifery care, back-up private obstetric care and private hospital admission are $3,700. Your out-of-pocket cost will be higher if:

You do not have a Medicare card
You do not have private health insurance to cover a hospital birth
You have appointments at your home

If you have extras cover to cover childbirth education / antenatal classes, or you birth at home and your fund covers homebirth, your out-of-pocket costs may be less than $3,700.

How do I access tests and ultrasounds?

I will order all tests and ultrasounds for you, including your dating scan and booking bloods.

Can I see my GP for some of my care?

As a continuity model, I will provide all of your care from early pregnancy until your baby is 6 weeks old. If additional care is needed, I will consult with the appropriate health care professional to ensure that you receive appropriate and timely care.

How many births do you attend each month?

Bookings are limited to an average of two births each month to ensure a high quality service and my availability to families: you and your baby are my priority! Most months are fully booked by 5-6 weeks of pregnancy.

I am not yet pregnant, but I have questions

Please email me to make an appointment and we will take our time talking through your concerns.

What if there is a problem with my pregnancy?

If we suspect something out of the ordinary or have any concerns, we will consult with the appropriate health practitioner. We have positive relationships with health professionals and we want the best care for you and your baby every step of the way.

What is your philosophy on pregnancy and birth?

Who is your ideal client?

Your pregnancy may be healthy and low-risk, or you may have higher care needs (aka "high-risk" pregnancy). Either way, you will appreciate continuity of care from one midwife who works with you from early pregnancy through to when your baby is six weeks old. You should be planning an active, natural, drug-free birth, and anticipating my support in achieving this goal. That is, you are not planning to have a caesarean or epidural for your labour unless it is necessary. You recognise that your care is really a shared responsibility between you and I, involving active participation from both of us, and you are excited to be cared for through an holistic, pro-active and practical approach.

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