Frequently Asked Questions

A private midwife provides continuity of care — the same trusted midwife supporting you throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period. Care is personalised, evidence-based, and centred on your goals, preferences, and wellbeing.

In hospital care, you may see many staff during your journey. With private midwifery, you have a consistent relationship with your midwife, extended appointment times, and continuity across all stages — whether you birth at home or in hospital.

Yes. All Birth Tribe Midwifery appointments attract Medicare rebates. Once you reach the Extended Medicare Safety Net, most women find that the majority of their out-of-pocket expenses are significantly reduced.

For women with low-risk pregnancies, homebirth supported by an experienced midwife is a safe option. We follow national clinical guidelines, maintain full emergency readiness, and ensure clear transfer pathways to hospital if needed.

Yes — Birth Tribe Midwifery supports women planning a vaginal birth after caesarean by providing continuity, time, and open discussion. Together, we’ll explore your birth preferences, review your health and history, and create a plan that honours both your wishes and safety. VBAC at home is approached individually and always with shared decision-making at the centre.

Yes. Water immersion and waterbirth can be beautiful, calming options for labour and birth, both at home and in hospital. Birth Tribe Midwifery provides access to professional birth-pool hire and full guidance on preparation and safety.

Yes. I hold full-scope Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) covering antenatal, intrapartum (including homebirth), and postnatal care, in accordance with Commonwealth legislation and the Midwife Professional Indemnity Scheme (MPIS). This ensures that all aspects of your care are protected under the required insurance framework.

Absolutely. Birth Tribe Midwifery values family involvement and emotional support. Your birth space is yours to shape—partners and children are welcome when it feels right for you.

In the rare event that Melissa is unavailable — for example, attending another birth or due to unforeseen emergency leave — a qualified secondary midwife who works closely with Birth Tribe Midwifery will step in to provide full continuity of care. This is often private midwife Sylvia Jenkin, who is credentialed with visiting rights at SCUH and regularly collaborates with Melissa as a trusted second midwife. You will have the opportunity to meet her during pregnancy, ensuring familiarity and confidence. Handover of your preferences, birth plan, and clinical details is seamless. Melissa does not schedule personal leave when caring for women with upcoming births, so planned absences are extremely uncommon.

Your wellbeing always comes first. Throughout your pregnancy, we’ll discuss possible scenarios and outline a clear plan for consultation or transfer should additional support ever be needed. This ensures you feel informed and confident about how care would unfold if circumstances change.

Life and birth are dynamic. If your preference or clinical needs change, we’ll adapt together: your care with Birth Tribe Midwifery continues if your admission to a hospital or home setting is adjusted, and I’ll coordinate with the relevant hospital teams to ensure continuity.

Comprehensive home visits covering physical recovery, feeding support, newborn checks, emotional wellbeing, and family adjustment. Care continues for up to six weeks post-birth, ensuring you feel confident and supported.

To begin, you’re invited to enquire based on your preferred birthplace — whether home or hospital — so we can talk through how we can best support your preferences. Birth Tribe Midwifery accepts only a small number of women each month to maintain genuine availability, dedicated support, and the continuity that defines private midwifery care. Following your enquiry, we’ll arrange a detailed “Meet & Greet” consultation to explore your goals, map out your care options, and create a plan that reflects your wishes and values.