SPECIAL UPDATE: Sadly, we will not be providing birth support or attendance in 2021. Covid restrictions occurring within our local hospitals significantly limit what we can do. We will continue to offer pregnancy and postpartum support however. Please contact me directly if you would like to know more about this service. Thanks, Rosie x
Our support services are available throughout the wider Geelong region. Our goal is to provide the highest quality care, attending to physical, emotional and educational needs to maximize health and empower women and their families.
A woman who is well-supported during the birth of her baby, is more likely to feel satisfied with this life transforming experience.
Virtual support is available via Zoom, FaceTime or phone for those living outside of the Geelong region or in circumstances where in-person support in not available.
The role of birth support is wide and varied and very dependent on your own personal needs. We will support you in the birthing choices that you and your birth partner make.
As experienced childbirth professionals, we will act as your advocate. Always encouraging you and helping you fulfil your specific desires that you have for your birth. Assisting you with the navigation of the sometimes-challenging hospital system.
We will be on call for your labour and birth 24/7 from 37 weeks gestation and always contactable.
Although Rosie, Josephine and Sarah are Registered Midwives, their role as birth support is non-clinical and they operate as a complementary service to your existing maternity care. Rosie takes on approximately two families per month. Jo and Sarah work in a part-time capacity at Geelong Born and are predominantly there to provide back-up birth support, however occasionally they will take on birth support clients of their own.
WHAT WILL I RECEIVE?
~ One to one care ~
~ Care tailored to you and your family's needs ~
~ Care provided in your own home ~
Geelong Born birth support is complementary to your existing maternity care. We will be there to assist you irrespective of whether this care is received in the public or private hospital setting. You will receive emotional and physical support and arm you with the knowledge and choices for your journey to parenthood.
By meeting several times throughout your pregnancy, we will get to know each other and establish a strong partnership. This is an essential component of providing tailored and individualised care. As birth support persons, we do not perform clinical tasks, examinations or make any clinical decisions independent of you. What we will do is help you obtain the necessary evidence-based information to make informed decisions that is specific to your own unique circumstances. We have an in-depth understanding of the medical system, we will help you navigate this path.
WHO NEEDS A BIRTH SUPPORT PERSON?
The way that you are supported throughout pregnancy and birth will remain with you through life. Research also tells us that women who have continuous support from a known carer are more likely to report being more satisfied with their birth experience. Health outcomes for mothers and babies are improved and interventions are also reduced.
At Geelong Born, particular focus is given to first time parents-to-be, those planning a Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC) or couples that have previously had a negative or even traumatic birth experience. In addition to this, the team at Geelong Born strongly believe all women and families are entitled to continuity of carer during their pregnancy eg. from a "known midwife". For this reason, we cater for such individuals that may have been placed in a maternity model of care that does not achieve this continuity.
During your labour and birth, you will receive constant, knowledgeable support. Suggestions regarding labour positions, guidance with your breathing, assistance with relaxation techniques and performing acupressure are common tasks that we assist with.
We have worked with hundreds of women giving birth. We can guide you and your birth partner through what's happening and give you recommendations on how to make the appropriate choices for you and your baby.
In addition, we will help your partner to help support you! We can provide breaks for your partner, give reassurance and explain any procedures or happenings during the birthing journey. Of course, we will never replace the role of your loving partner, but we will provide extra support and professional reassurance where needed.
HOW DO I BOOK ?
Please contact us to check our availability around your estimated due date. In order to devote as much time as possible to clients and fulfil our other roles we are very considered with how much we take on. We would recommend that you contact us early in your pregnancy if you are considering Geelong Born support.
Once you have made contact and have nominated your selected birth support person, we will schedule a time to meet face-to-face. This is an obligation-free, informal get together that allows us to go over any further questions you have about the service. This is a great opportunity to get a feel for us and the services that we provide. This meeting may be at a local café or at your own home. The choice is yours!
At this time we will also give you the Birth Support package booklet, which outlines the service in detail and includes the booking forms and contracts for you to read through.
DO YOU TAKE OUT-OF-TOWN CLIENTS?
Absolutely! Rosie travels to Melbourne, Werribee, Colac, Ballarat and beyond. Consideration is given to the extra time required when the booking is made, An additional fee for travel is required for families outside the Geelong, Bellarine and Surf Coast areas.
PACKAGE OPTIONS AND PRICING
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Free initial consult to meet and discuss your needs ·3 antenatal home visits for holistic birth planning and preparation (in addition to first meeting)
·On call for birth attendance from 37 weeks
·Phone and email support throughout pregnancy and up to 6 weeks postpartum
·Assistance with composing your birth preferences/birth plan
·Continuous support for labour and birth
·Support at home (early labour) and in hospital (established labour)
·Emotional and physical support
·Full access to Geelong Born equipment. E.g. Birth ball, peanut ball, diffuser, essential oils, lighting and TENS machine
·One postnatal visit after your birth
·Comprehensive resource library
·Breastfeeding support ·Referrals to other local high quality health services
BIRTH SUPPORT PRICING
Rosie - $1320 inc. GST
Sarah and Josephine- $1210 inc. GST
Repeat customer discount: $100 discount if Rosie has supported you with a previous pregnancy.
Flexible payment plans available A deposit of $300 reserves your spot on the calendar, remaining balance due following the birth of your baby.
ADD-ONS
Do you know we offer combined services to suit your needs? Build the package that suits your needs. These can be added at any time.
~ POSTNATAL SUPPORT: Additional postnatal home visits (3 in total) This includes assistance with breastfeeding and lactation, guidance with infant sleep/settling and friendly advice when welcoming your new baby into your home. + $180 (SAVE $60)
~HEAD START TO BREASTFEEDING: A relaxed and informative breastfeeding session for pregnant mums and partners. Giving you all the vital information regarding the early days of breastfeeding. Private session- 2 hrs. + $90 (SAVE $30)
POSTNATAL AND BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT
Postnatal and breastfeeding support is offered through face-to-face, telephone or email consultations. We will provide you and your family with lactation advice, assistance with infant sleep/settling and friendly guidance and reassurance when welcoming your new baby into your home. We understand that becoming new parents is the most wonderful experience, but with this also brings some new challenges. We use a commonsense approach to parenting that we have developed in our experience as midwives and mothers.
A postnatal home visit is free of charge with the Birth Support package. Postnatal In-home Support - $120 inc. GST