Pictured above: Teneille Clark of Coffs Coast Midwifery
Families across the North Coast are benefiting from greater access to private midwifery services, with privately practising endorsed midwives playing an increasingly important role in delivering woman-centred continuity of care across pregnancy, birth and early parenting.
Private midwives offer a model of care centred on relationship, trust and continuity. Women are supported by the same midwife throughout their maternity journey – from antenatal appointments through labour and birth, and into the postnatal period. For many families, this continuity helps build confidence, reduce anxiety and create a more positive and empowering birth experience.
Through collaborative arrangements with local hospitals, private endorsed midwives can provide Medicare‑rebated intrapartum (birthing) services alongside antenatal and postnatal care. These partnerships enable women to access personalised midwifery care while also benefiting from the resources of a public hospital setting.
To support safe, coordinated care, these clinicians work closely with GPs, obstetricians, hospital maternity teams and other healthcare providers.
Teneille Clark of Coffs Coast Midwifery is a private endorsed midwife who enjoys a collaborative arrangement with the maternity team at Coffs Harbour Hospital:
“Continuity of care matters. When women know their midwife and feel genuinely supported, it can change their whole experience. Being able to offer that right through to birth at Coffs Harbour Hospital is incredibly meaningful.”
As demand for continuity of care grows, privately practising midwives are an important part of improving choice, access and quality in maternity care across our region.
