Welcome to MAMA Midwifery

What's your name and role at MAMA?

I’m Kelly and I’m re-introducing myself as I am now leading MAMA into her second decade of success.

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

I was a co-founding director with Jan Ireland from 2011 for seven years before the birth of my first child. Children change your world (as many of you would know!) so in 2017 I relinquished my Directorship to Jan whilst continuing to support her, and continued working at MAMA in a caseload midwife role. As family life became easier, I returned 2 years ago to a manager/midwife support role, building sustainability into our midwifery practice to prevent burnout and to build midwife mentorship models to support early career midwives.

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

My vision for MAMA as we continue to grow is that our care remains the same; that we provide loving individualised care that empowers families in their experience of pregnancy, birth and beyond. I know we have the right team to provide gold standard, empowering care. I believe the key to success for the longevity of MAMA and private midwifery practice has two important parts; the first lies in growing our mentorship program which enables passionate, early-career midwives to follow their professional dreams within an experienced, supportive team. The second, is ensuring the sustainability of the private midwifery practice model for the brilliant midwives we have and want to keep working happily for their entire careers. We do this by employing our midwives and putting supports in place such as rostered days off covered by the team and paid education days. I have seen that these small changes to the traditional sole private practitioner model has already reduced the burnout that is so common in the sole private practitioner (traditional) model. With three mentees currently working towards primary caseload care and two graduate mentorship positions available in 2025, the future of MAMA is looking bright.

What are your favourite things about your role?

Just as MAMA pioneered the first holistic private midwifery centre in Victoria, I believe our mentee program and sustainable midwifery model is the only one of its kind in Australia. I am looking towards the future of MAMA and private midwifery practice with gratitude. I am honoured to take the reins of my ‘first baby’ again and I am so grateful for the wonderful team at MAMA as we seek to support more positive transitions to parenthood for more families across Victoria.

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

Running some trails!

Ally will be heading out on maternity leave soon, so is taking only limited bookings.

What’s your name and role at MAMA?

Ally, MAMA midwife at the Gippsland and Bayside clinics.

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

After my own experience of having a private midwife and homebirth I really struggled returning to work in the hospital system, especially in fragmented care. I know I was always destined to work in a continuity of care model and the birthing options that MAMA provide since I was a student midwife doing placement in a Birth Centre. Learning from these intuitive midwives planted the seed for the type of midwife I aspired to become. As the MAMA Gippsland clinic was establishing I was keen to get onboard to work with excellent midwives, we have a great team here at MAMA. I love looking after women from my own community, it’s a real village midwife vibe.

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

I enjoy the relationships built with women and families through the continuity of care model and the ability to share pregnancy, birth and postnatal knowledge through this journey. It’s really important to me that women and families know they have options and choices at every turn; informed decision making is important. I want women to achieve the birth they desire, whatever that may be or look like.

What are your favourite things about your role?

I love seeing a woman and partner as they learn and witness how incredible women’s bodies are in growing and birthing their babies then nourishing them beyond the womb.

It’s so wonderful working with such a great team of like-minded midwives we all have the same philosophy but everyone brings their own uniqueness and expertise which women benefit so much from.

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

I could lie and tell you about my hobbies pre-Mum life, but now I’m living life with a toddler in tow there’s not as much time for me!

I live on a little pocket of land with a few sheep, cows, fruit trees and hopefully some chickens soon! All these things keep me busy as well as doing house and garden improvements and dreaming about future renovations.

What’s your name and role at MAMA?
H,i my name is Amy. I work as a MAMA Midwife at the Bayside and Kensington clinics. I am proudly a registered nurse, endorsed midwife, lactation consultant and counsellor

What inspired you to work as a midwife?
I have been a midwife for over 20yrs and love it. The birth of my first son inspired me to become the midwife I am. To this day I remember my midwife and the impact she has had on my life- I want to be that support for other families. 

What are you passionate about as a midwife?
I am passionate about supporting women to feel empowered, supported and in control during the birth of their babies. How you feel having your baby is important and I will support you to feel safe.

What makes MAMA special to you?
I have worked in the traditional private practice model for a long time and the support offered by everyone at MAMA is unique and special. MAMA is a group of amazing professionals working together for the families in our community. 

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?
When I am not working you will find me with my family, dancing with my friends or discovering remote/unique parts of Australia.

What’s your name and role at MAMA?

 My name is Bee, a MAMA midwife working at the Bayside and Kensington clinics. I am an Endorsed Midwife and Registered Nurse.

 What inspired you to work at MAMA?

Being a midwife is such a special thing and there is no greater joy than supporting families on their sacred journeys to parenthood. MAMA is a place I can do that to my best ability by providing personalised, thorough and holistic care throughout the continuum of pregnancy.

The MAMA team is so supportive of everyone, especially their midwives and it is so special to pass that love on to families.

 What are you passionate about at MAMA?

 MAMA is such a comprehensive service that has everything a person could need in their pregnancy journey. I adore the collaborative nature with skilled midwives, allied health and lactation specialists at your fingertips. We are all so passionate about what we do and working in this space has given me so many beautiful opportunities to grow, in turn nurturing our special clients in an encompassing and holistic way. 

Continuity is also such a well documented and proven element in satisfying pregnancy outcomes so to finally offer this type of care is an absolute dream come true.

What are your favourite things about your role?

Supporting women and families to have an empowering birth experience is the most fulfilling aspect of my job. I love seeing women grow and nurture themselves throughout their pregnancy, come in to their power and welcome their babies calmly and gently into the world. Witnessing this is a special type of magic that is hard to describe and I'm so lucky I get to be involved in such powerful and intimate moments.

 I also love the sounds of labour, quiet laughter, powerful roars and the cries of new baby happily born into their mothers waiting arms.

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

 I love to spend my time outside, at the beach or snow, camping or exploring new parts of the world with my 10/10 hubby. I'm otherwise a big fan of my cosy home with two kitties, going out for a coffee or walk with friends or keeping fit at Pilates.

Name/role at MAMA/any other identifying info that is important to you

My name is Bridget (she/her), and I am thrilled to be a MAMA midwife at the Kensington clinic.

What inspired you initially to work at MAMA?

I’ve always been drawn to supporting people through life’s challenges and joys and for many years thought clinical psychology was my path. But as I studied, I felt something was missing. One day a dear friend suggested midwifery, and suddenly I was on a path that lit me up with a passion unlike anything else. Through digging into birth research, supporting birthing families, and becoming a mother myself, I came to deeply appreciate models of care that offer true evidence-based, holistic support. This journey led me to MAMA, and I can’t picture being anywhere else.

What is one thing you are passionate about at MAMA?

I am passionate about creating a space where mothers and birthing people feel truly held, informed, and confident to make choices that are right for them. Having a strong background in psychology and research it is so important to me to combine evidence-based care with a deep respect for each woman and birthing person’s intuition, so they can make informed decisions and move into parenthood trusting in their own wisdom as the expert on their body and baby.

What makes MAMA special to you?

During my student years, I often felt disheartened by the limitations of the mainstream maternity system—where a lack of time, choices, and continuity often left families feeling unseen and unsupported. MAMA offered me my first glimpse into what truly gold-standard, woman-centred care looks like. It was incredibly special to see a place where midwives and practitioners work directly for families, prioritising respect, individuality and connection.

When you're not working - where would we find you, what would you be doing and who with?

In my spare time you’ll find me playing human climbing frame to my wild and wonderful daughter or wandering through Yarraville village with my partner, our daughter, and our anxious but lovable Staffy x Chihuahua. I’m a big fan of treasure hunting at the op shop, watching a movie at the local cinema or having a long chin wag with friends or family over coffee, pizza or wine.

Cally will be heading out on maternity leave soon, so is taking only limited bookings.

What's your name and role at MAMA?

Hi, I’m Cally, one of the MAMA Midwives at the Bayside and Gippsland clinics! My other important roles/titles include Wife, Mother and Catholic.

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

Initially, in high school, my goals and desires were to work with babies, throughout my studies and career, it has become so much more than that. It is a blessing to be able to work with Mothers, as they bring life into the world. The desire to wholistically care for women has brought me to my current role.

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

My leading passion as a midwife is helping women achieve the birth they desire, empowering them with support and knowledge. Since my first day as a student, this has always been my goal and passion. I spent several years in the hospital system, growing my own knowledge and skills. The next step to move out of the system was a given, as to be able to wholistically care for women was not achievable there. Moving into private practice and working at MAMA has allowed me to do this.

What are your favourite things about your role?

What makes working for MAMA especially special is the team environment. We all hold similar ethics, and the entire team is supportive and giving, and are all round incredible people. I am grateful for each and every one of them, (maybe, especially the admin team!).

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

When I’m not at work, you will find me at some sort of sports! Between my 3 kids and my own sports, we have sports 7 days a week! I love playing netball and going to the gym myself and enjoy coffee dates and am growing our home garden/veggie patch to grow our own food to eat.

What is your name and role at MAMA?

My name is Corin and I am a midwife, nurse and lactation consultant at MAMA Gippsland. 

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

Initially, I became a registered nurse as I always wanted to help people. I worked at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne and then became pregnant with my own bundle of joy! I knew I didn’t know enough and needed someone who knew the system and what I needed to say yes to or what was just hospital policy so I got myself a private midwife. Towards the end of my pregnancy, she said “I think you just want a homebirth” and I replied with “I think I do!”. I went on to have a beautiful homebirth with my first baby and this inspired me to complete my postgraduate studies in Midwifery. I have worked in the hospital system and privately as a homebirth midwife and I love working at MAMA, which allows me to help mothers feel empowered in their decision making, amongst an amazing team. 

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

Being the mother of three homebirthed children I am passionate about women knowing their choices and feeling empowered to make the right decision for themselves. I am also passionate about helping mothers with breastfeeding, which led me to complete my IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) qualification recently. I struggled with feeding my first babe and realised the importance of having good breastfeeding support for the times when the journey is difficult

What are your favourite things about your role?

I love that I get to work alongside an amazing team of midwives who encourage and support one another so that we can be our best selves for the women and their families who we care for. I also love that I get to work with Veronica, the wonderful midwife who has been at the births of each of my babes. 

Where would we find you outside of MAMA? 

You will likely find me at home on the farm, baking sourdough, cooking healthy food, playing with my little ones or gardening. I also enjoy reading, singing and quiet cuppas with friends.

What's your name and role at MAMA?

I'm Charlotte, a MAMA midwife at the Kensington and Bayside clinics.

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

When I was 15, I watched my own mum give birth to my baby brother at home in our loungeroom. It was one of the most profound experiences of my life, and it opened my eyes to the world of birth and midwifery. I remember looking at the midwife and thinking ‘I want her job when I grow up!’, and so ensued my own journey to becoming a midwife.

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

I believe that women and birthing people can meet their most fierce and empowered selves through birth, and that the love, care and safety of a known midwife can be an integral person in achieving this. The trajectory of who I am as a woman, daughter and midwife was forever changed by my introduction to birth, and my hope is that everyone on their birthing journey can have this powerful initiation into parenthood.

What are your favourite things about your role?

I got my first midwifery job and entered the hospital system as an excited but naïve new graduate. I quickly discovered that the wonderful experience I witnessed as a teenager was the exception and not the rule. I found the work ethically challenging and misaligned, and I considered leaving the profession. It’s funny looking back at this time before MAMA, because today I find my current work incredibly fulfilling and completely in line with my expectations around family focussed holistic care, and I am honoured to be working in a space that has not once made me doubt my choice of profession.

What's your name and role at MAMA?

Ellie (she/her), Team Lead Kensington and Caseload Midwife

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

I grew up on my mother's stories of her own birth journeys, both at home and in hospital, and learnt from an early age the special role midwives hold in guiding women and their families to be informed and supported as they journey to meet their babies. My family has also experienced pregnancy loss and I've witnessed what occurs in the absence of holistic, family-centred care. These experiences led me to my midwifery journey and my passion for continuity of midwifery care.

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

I am incredibly passionate about supporting women and their families to make informed and autonomous decisions, and providing individualised, family centred care. I love witnessing families journey from our first appointment together, through their births and postpartum and seeing the incredible transformation that occurs. Not just for the woman/birthing person and their baby, but for those important to them.

What are your favourite things about your role?

MAMA holistic philosophy is what makes us a family. When women fully engage with the entire MAMA team and you witness the benefits that the love and support from midwives, Allied Health and Lactation Consultants has in contributing to positive outcomes... It's magic!!

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

When I’m not midwifing, I’m spending time with my partner and our menagerie of animals; watching Netflix; having a coffee with friends, or tending to my jungle of indoor plants.

What's your name and role at MAMA?

Lindsey, I work as an endorsed midwife and in a casual position as a lactation consultant at the Kensington clinic.

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

I am passionate to work with mothers, babies and families to feel truly connected and embodied through providing loving support.

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

I am passionate to work with mothers, babies and families to feel truly connected and embodied through providing loving support.

What are your favourite things about your role?

MAMA is unique in that it is a hub not only for midwifery but many other modalities that support the well-being of mother's and babies.

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

I enjoy sitting in stillness, dancing, listening to music, reading, writing, studying, cooking and swimming.

What's your name and role at MAMA?

Marita Howard, works as PPM at MAMA Kensington and have been there for almost 10 years

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

It was Jan Ireland who inspired initially to work at MAMA, she was my midwife over 23 years ago for my first birth. I always had great respect for my 2 midwives for Joels birth and the positive impact they both had during my first birthing experience. I was working at MMC at time and would run in to her often with her own private clients coming in to give birth. Every time I saw her, she would tell me excitedly about her plans to open her own midwifery clinic. It was the right time to move out of the system and embark into private practice when my youngest daughter started school. This was also the time I had started to feel completely disheartened by the hospital system; with the closure of the birth centre model, I had grown to love. It was my chance to make a difference and support women in the way I knew I could. I have worked in many areas over my long midwifery career but had been happiest when I had worked in the UK on a Community MW role and was able to experience continuity of care and attends my first home births.

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

I am passionate about being with women and families, supporting them through their journeys to motherhood. After having 3 very different birth experiences myself, I can appreciate the individual journeys other women embark and support them through their own.

What are your favourite things about your role?

I can meet so many different women and families, get to know them, have a good laugh and a cry. I love nothing more than to have a good chat and discover what is important for families which enables me to individualise their care.

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

When I am not at work, you will find me at home with my hubby and 3 almost grown children. I love to listen to crime thrillers, podcasts and watch whatever takes my fancy on a choice of streaming devices. On a good day I love to walk around our local area or head to Cowes for a weekend away. I enjoy pottering in my new kitchen or heading out for a nice meal. I have 12 siblings, so not uncommon for a special family birthday or event to take me out for a day here and there. I have the privilege to be there for a good handful of family babies over the years too.

Name/role at MAMA/any other identifying info that is important to you

Hi, I’m Olivia, and I am a midwife in the wonderful team at MAMA

What inspired you initially to work as your role?

When considering my next steps after my previous career in professional ballet, I was inspired by birth stories from friends, which gave me a profound appreciation for the strength and resilience of women and birthing people. Taking a leap of faith, I began a midwifery degree with limited prior knowledge, quickly discovered a deep passion for the profession, and have never looked back.

What is one thing you are passionate about as a your role?

One of my favourite things about midwifery is witnessing pregnant people connect with their bodies on a whole new level, step into their power, and realise their innate strength. I am passionate about providing individualised care that nurtures this connection, as well as ensuring families feel supported, informed, and confident throughout their journey into parenthood.

What makes MAMA special to you?

MAMA is special to me because it allows me to practice midwifery in a way that aligns with my core values in a supportive and collaborative environment. Having the privilege of working alongside such incredible midwives, lactation consultants, and allied health professionals at MAMA is pretty inspiring!

When you're not working - where would we find you, what would you be doing and who with?

In my spare time, I love soaking up summer days at the beach, tackling DIY home renovations with my partner (with varying degrees of success), sharing great food with friends, and indulging in my ever-growing list of hobbies, which currently includes sewing, knitting, and horse riding.

What's your name and role at MAMA?

My name is Veronica. I am a registered nurse and midwife and I am the team leader for the Hampton and Warragul clinics.

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

I have done so many different jobs before I worked at MAMA but this is just the most lovely place to work. I have worked in the public hospital system as a midwife and midwifery educator, and have also worked privately providing homebirth services for many years. The part about MAMA that is most special to me is the team here. These are some of the best midwives around and I love that if I can't make it to a birth for any reason the women that I care about will be looked after beautifully by one of my team members.

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

Everything that I do at MAMA centres around the women that I care for and wanting them to have the most amazing experience. My own experience of birth, breastfeeding and early parenthood are some of the most intense emotional experiences of my life and the memories from those experiences never leave. I hope that whatever support I provide can help make positive memories for other people through this time.

What are your favourite things about your role?

It's hard to say what is my favourite thing about my role. I enjoy the banter with my midwifery colleagues and looking after women and their families is very rewarding. I can't imagine ever wanting to do anything else.

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

When I am not at work I live a very busy life looking after 4 kids, renovating houses, studying and just generally being really terrible at self care.

Ella is on maternity leave at the moment.

What's your name and role at MAMA?

Hi, I’m Ella, one of the fabulous team of midwives working at MAMA. I work in the Bayside clinic and will be on maternity leave from November 2024.

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

I’m not exactly sure why I chose to become a midwife but after trying out other careers (including being an engineer and yoga teacher) it was a deep soul yes that this was the work I wanted to being doing. It was also clear to me very quickly that the hospital system was not a place I could imagine myself thriving or offering the kind of care I wanted to give. I was so blessed to be able to step straight into private practice at Mama, right after becoming a mother myself.

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

I’m passionate about mothers feeling supported the huge shift and rite of passage that is the perinatal period. Childbearing and child raising asks everything of you – physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. No one should have to navigate this time without love and care and guidance.

What are your favourite things about your role?

MAMA is unique because we have the best team, which allows us to give so much to our clients without depleting ourselves too drastically or taking us away from our own families for too long. The connection we have with our clients and their families is very special too.

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

When I’m not at work you might find me swimming, running, gyming or hanging out in nature with my toddler and Golden Retriever.

Sari will be heading out on maternity leave soon, so is taking only limited bookings.

What's your name and role at MAMA?

Hi, my name is Sari and I am proud to say I am a MAMA midwife at the Kensington clinic!

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

I have been fascinated by pregnancy and babies since I was very young, and the idea of midwifery always appealed to me, but for a long time I believed a midwife was a wise old woman who served mothers in her village (I mean, that’s actually not too far off!) I always figured that’s what I’d do late in my life, until one day I caught up with a friend from high school who told me she was going to university to study midwifery. It blew my mind that you could just go to uni and learn how to be a midwife! I followed her lead I have never looked back.

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

I love getting to know pregnant people and their families, and what’s important to them, so that I am better able to support them through the transition into parenthood or during the growth of their existing family. My favourite thing about being a midwife is seeing non-birthing parents cry when their child is born! I really recognise what a privilege it is to be invited into someone's birth space and I don’t take this for granted.

What are your favourite things about your role?

I was fortunate enough to be cared for by MAMA midwives Kelly and Siobhan during my first pregnancy and birth. Some of the most special memories of my life are waddling into Kensington each week with my expanding belly for my antenatal appointments, acupuncture, chiropractic, physiotherapy and yoga. It’s such a happy place, and now I get to watch people from the other side of that experience. It’s pretty special.

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

I live in Williamstown, where I love walking along the beach with my wonderful husband, our delicious little boy and our Labradoodle. Working mum life is pretty busy, and I’m learning how to get my own needs met so I am able to take better care of my family and clients. For me that means making time for yoga, reading (paperback) books, crocheting and leaving half drank cups of tea around the house.

Siobhan is a MAMA midwife on maternity leave at the moment.