Homebirth Resources
Homebirth
My homebirth set up, June 2023
Homebirth is an option for expectant mothers wanting to give birth in the comfort of their homes. It can be attended by a privately practicing midwife (self-funded) or accessed through the publicly funded homebirth program run by a hospital within your catchment area.
It's crucial to note that publicly funded homebirth programs have specific eligibility criteria. Not all women may be eligible, depending on factors like overall health, previous medical history, pregnancy progress, and potential risk factors.
Publicly Funded Homebirth Programs in Victoria (Official Websites)
🏥 The Royal Women’s Hospital (Melbourne)
🏥 Mercy Hospital for Women (Heidelberg)
🏥 Western Health – Sunshine Hospital (West Melbourne catchment)
🏥 Monash Health – Casey Hospital (South-East Melbourne)
🏥 Barwon Health (Geelong region)
📚 Helpful State Resource (Overview)
Victoria Government Homebirth Information
List of websites to find private practicing midwife in Victoria
Homebirth Victoria (Best Starting Point)
This is one of the most comprehensive and up-to-date lists of private midwives across Victoria, including Melbourne, Gippsland, Geelong, and regional areas. It includes individual midwives and private practices offering homebirth and continuity of care.
BellyBelly “Find a Midwife” Directory - A long-running Australian birth directory where you can search for private midwives offering homebirth or hospital support, including listings in Victoria.
Midwife Lauretta Community Directory - This directory includes private midwives and birth professionals across Victoria (including Ballarat and surrounding areas).
Bub Hub Midwives Directory (Victoria Section) - A broader parenting directory that lists midwives and maternity services in Victoria.
For those ineligible for the publicly funded homebirth program, a homebirth can still be arranged with a private midwife. It’s important to find someone who is not only aligned with your birth philosophy but will also support your wishes and one who you feel completely comfortable with. In Victoria, hiring a homebirth midwife costs between $7000 to $10,000, with some medical rebates if eligible. Private midwives can provide care during pregnancy, labour, and up to 6 weeks postpartum at home.
Private Midwifery Practices in Victoria (Direct Websites)
These are actual private midwife practices you can contact directly:
MAMA Midwifery Practice (Melbourne, Bayside & Gippsland) - One of Victoria’s established private midwifery practices offering continuity of care from pregnancy to postpartum, including homebirth and clinic support.
Melbourne Midwifery Collective - Listed within Victoria private midwife networks as a continuity-of-care private midwifery group.
The Midwives House (Melbourne – Thornbury) - A collaborative space hosting experienced private midwives who provide homebirth and personalised care across Melbourne.
Mamatoto Midwives (Melbourne & Dandenong Ranges) - Provides private midwifery care including pregnancy, birth and postpartum support (listed in VIC midwife networks).
5. Organic Midwifery (Melbourne) - Private midwifery services focused on holistic and homebirth care (included in Victorian private midwife listings).
Doula Support Services
Another option to consider is hiring a doula, who provides continuous emotional, mental, and physical support throughout pregnancy, labour, birth, and the postpartum period. Doulas are not medical professionals and do not perform clinical tasks, give medical advice, or make decisions on behalf of their clients. Instead, they offer evidence-based information, practical resources, and grounded support to help women and their families make informed and confident choices.
A doula’s role is centred on advocacy, reassurance, and presence. Rather than directing or influencing decisions, a doula respects the mother’s autonomy, honours her preferences, and supports her in navigating her options with clarity and confidence.
For homebirth and freebirth, the role of a doula becomes especially valuable. In these settings, a doula helps create a calm, safe, and nurturing environment that supports physiological birth. This may include emotional reassurance, comfort measures, breathing and relaxation guidance, protecting the birthing space from unnecessary disturbances, and supporting the partner so they can remain present and connected.
During a homebirth attended by a midwife, the doula complements the clinical care provided by the midwife by focusing solely on the emotional and physical wellbeing of the mother. In a freebirth setting, where there is no medical provider present, a doula does not replace medical care or take on any clinical responsibilities, but instead offers continuous non-medical support, grounding presence, and practical assistance while respecting the family’s chosen birth plan.
It is important to understand that a doula does not replace the role of a partner, midwife, or medical provider. Rather, their presence enhances the birth team by ensuring the birthing woman feels supported, heard, and held in every stage of her journey. Their role is to walk alongside the mother and her family, holding space, offering reassurance, and supporting a positive and empowered birth experience in whatever setting she chooses.
I’m Gess, a Muslim birth and postpartum doula offering holistic, faith-centred support both online and in person. I walk alongside women with nurturing care, evidence-based education, and a deep respect for your intuition, values, and spiritual journey into motherhood.
If you’re seeking calm, culturally safe, and personalised support throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum — I would be honoured to support you.
✨ Book a discovery call with me to explore how we can prepare for a birth experience that feels informed, supported, and spiritually grounded.
Let’s create a space where you feel confident, heard, and deeply supported every step of the way.
