Welcome to MAMA Education

What's your name and role at MAMA?

I’m Hayley, I am an endorsed midwife & work as an educator and as the education manager here at MAMA.

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

When caring for families as a midwife in the public maternity system, I consistently found myself craving more time to answer the wonderfully curious questions that they had – which led me to education.

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

I’m increasingly passionate about parents stepping into their power - entering birth with self-trust & emerging into parenthood with confidence. I’m also passionate about having ample time to expose people to different perspectives, share some laughs, cultivate connections with me and other parents & reassure them that their internal knowing will combine with what they learn so that they can make the right choices for their family.

What are your favourite things about your role?

When I first walked into MAMA, I saw women attending appointments & hugging their midwives. I commented that it looked like they were being brought into somebody’s sitting room for a cup of tea & a far cry from the version of midwifery that I was used to in tertiary hospitals. MAMA midwives inspired me to reevaluate what midwifery meant to me after a season of burnout, complete further training and open my mindset to working in a different way. Truly, it lit me back up & showed me what burning passion feels like as a midwife. I’m now embarking on my own journey to offering private midwifery care in Brisbane. There is something powerful in being part of a team who are so passionate about holistic care – it inspires you to continue growing. Being an expat, MAMA has been a grounding presence & a massive part of my community in my home away from home.

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

In my down time, you’ll currently find me annoying my new puppy with kisses while he tries to sleep. When I'm not obsessing over my fur baby, my life is filled with the magic of ordinary moments – being with friends, videochatting my family until the next visit home, laughing with my partner, putting my toes in the sand, listening to every episode of my fav podcasts, camping, travelling & reading books galore.

What’s your name and role at MAMA?

My name is Abby and I’m one of MAMA’s childbirth educators and also an MGP midwife at Joan Kirner hospital.

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

I’ve been drawn to midwifery since I was little and still struggle to explain why. The pull was deep and inescapable. I had a sense, the way children do about things, that birth - and the bonds formed at birth - hold all the most important secrets about our world. I also sensed I would never be at my happiest unless worked with women and babies. I now know both of these to be true.

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

MAMA is special to me for so many reasons, above all because it feels like home. There’s nothing I’d trade for the warmth and sense of belonging gained from working in a team that shares the same core values. I remember my first time walking into MAMA instantly being met with hugs and real connection …and it has been the same way ever since.

What are your favourite things about your role?

I am most passionate about expanding access to midwifery continuity of care across our country - particularly to indigenous, culturally and linguistically diverse families. In addition to my midwifery degree I also hold a Bachelor of International Studies, which is where this passion emerges from. This experience allowed me to travel to India and Africa working in maternal health and studying issues of reproductive justice. My midwifery position at present is in Galinjera, which is the MGP team for all First Nations families that come through our hospital.

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

I live in St Kilda with my adoring partner, so between time on-call for women and births, I am usually walking along the beach with him, reading books, practicing yoga, napping, and talking about midwifery to anyone who will listen. I also love dancing, singing, hosting gatherings of women, travelling and taking road trips around our beautiful country.

What's your name and role at MAMA?

I'm Amanda - CPR instructor

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

I love educating and talking to families about how to care for their families

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

I'm passionate about making the class realistic and actionable steps you can apply in your every day life

What are your favourite things about your role?

MAMA is more than special to me, it is home. I initially used MAMA midwives to have a homebirth and then ended up working here afterwards. The community, vibes and care are second to none.

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

I'm home with my kids, enjoying a good book, baking sour dough.

What's your name and role at MAMA?

I’m Chantal one of the MAMA childbirth educators. I also am married and have three beautiful children.

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

I have taught childbirth education for more than 8 years, so when the opportunity came along to educate at the beautiful MAMA, I could not resist.

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

The journey of pregnancy, labour, birth and of course the postpartum period is extremely special, so being able to provide education, knowledge and wisdom to those starting out their journeys is what I love doing. I am passionate in ensuring birthing teams are surrounded with avenues that they can explore to ensure they are making informed choices throughout that entire journey.

What are your favourite things about your role?

MAMA is special in many ways, but I feel the likeminded midwives and staff make for an environment like no other!

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

If I’m not at MAMA teaching classes I’m living in Gippsland with my family making every second count!

What's your name and role at MAMA?

I am Dianne Morris an educator in the childbirth and early parenting space. I trained as a nurse midwife and researcher in the UK and worked in the NHS as a nurse, midwife, and clinical researcher. Once I arrived in Australia I worked as a research midwife and nurse in Sydney.

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

I was drawn to work at MAMA. I was also offered the opportunity to design and facilitate the development of the fourth-trimester workshop, offering parents, the chance to explore their new reality as a parent with a new baby.

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

Teaching, and thinking of new ways to teach and deliver content for the childbirth and parenting classes. Information on childbirth and parenting is constantly evolving, and delivery of content will change depending on the participants who attend the class, and the current research.

What are your favourite things about your role?

I was attracted to work at MAMA because It is run by Midwives, for Mothers, and everything is focused on women and babies. MAMA is a one-stop shop for all things relating to pregnancy, birth, babies, and alternative therapies. Making the women's pregnancy journey cohesive and smooth. I enjoy spending time in the building, speaking with the midwives, and being supported by the admin staff.

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

I am an introvert and spend my home time creating music on my steel pan, learning to play the guitar, or cooking something delicious from scratch. Music and theatre are two of my passions, I am a Public Relations Manager to a range of musicians and creative artists, from the African and Caribbean diaspora. Promoting ethnic music and performance to the Australian creative artistic market is enriching. I also spend time, teaching and inspiring the next generation of nurses and midwives as a sessional academic at the Australian Catholic University. I am a member of the Project Advisory Group at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute I spend time with community members, working within maternity care settings, and health professionals providing pregnancy care. aims to understand and enable culturally safe approaches to stillbirth prevention for communities of refugee and migrant backgrounds receiving pregnancy care in Australia.

What's your name and role at MAMA?

My name is Lizzie and I am a childbirth Educator at MAMA! Alongside this I also work as a caseload midwife at a Melbourne based public hospital.

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

I was looking for something to complement my hospital based clinical work. Educating families across the spectrum of pregnancy, birth and postpartum is one of my favourite parts of being a midwife so teaching childbirth education classes felt like a natural progression!

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

My great passion is presenting families with the tools to make informed choices in all aspects of their care on their journey to parenthood.

What are your favourite things about your role?

I love that MAMA provides such an amazing array of services for parents and families across the childbearing continuum.

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

When I’m not at work you’ll usually find me curled up with a good book and cup of tea, usually with my fur-baby Monte by my side!

What's your name and role at MAMA?

I'm Melissa, an educator at MAMA

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

I added educator to my list of roles when I felt I had the knowledge to pass on to parents and families built from 10 years working as a nurse and midwife. Nothing beats the feeling when you receive an 'ah-ha' moment when sharing information

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

I am passionate about education and empowerment through learning and sharing of information. I am full of gratitude to be able to provide families with skills and strategies to keep their little ones safe and their minds at ease.

What are your favourite things about your role?

MAMA is truly woman and family friendly. Its warm environment is welcoming to anyone who walks through their doors.

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

I'm keeping up with my young family or taking some time out for a solo run.

What's your name and role at MAMA?

Seb (she/her) - Childbirth Educator at MAMA and Registered Midwife/Nurse working within public maternity care.

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

As a typical extrovert, having a robust conversation is something I love to do. So naturally, teaching about midwifery and all it comes with fills my cup! My initial pull to midwifery came whilst living abroad in Israel - my second home. I witnessed countless missed opportunities for supporting and nourishing women's health within my own community and wished to be the change. This has led me to seek work in more culturally diverse spaces; both in my own and within other communities, with a hope to foster strength within women and the belief in themselves.

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

Many of us come with deep-seated ideas about healthcare, the power of women, what family means, where we hold community, and how we love. My passion is to dovetail all those elements with evidence-based midwifery practice, and sometimes be a little goofy in the process. After all, laughter is a language we all understand!

What are your favourite things about your role?

MAMA truly practices midwifery with heart, fusing evidence-based practice with empathy and trust. I resonate with this very much.

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

To wind down, I love to peruse markets, op shops and anywhere with special treasures. I also love to swim, boogie, sip chai with a friend, or hang out with my awesome husband, Jesse.