When talking about maternity care, Midwifery-led continuity of care models—whether through private midwives or public systems like Midwifery Group Practices (MGP)—are broadly recognised as the evidence-based gold standard for maternity care in Australia.

This approach is associated with better outcomes for mothers and babies, including lower intervention rates, higher rates of breastfeeding success, and greater satisfaction with the birthing experience. Yet, only 2.1% of births in Australia involve private midwives.

In this episode, No Place Like Homb guest host, Kath speaks with Midwife, Rachel Wilson about Private Midwifery–the gold standard of Maternity care.

More details for anyone looking into private midwife services;

Home birth Australia, Directory of private midwives offering home birth services; 

https://www.homebirthaustralia.org/midwives.html#victoria

Doula compiled private midwife directory;

https://www.birthed.com.au/private-midwife-directory

There is also a Facebook group called ‘Find a Homebirth Midwife Australia’.

Prospective parents looking for a private midwife who is accredited to provide shared care with a public hospital, can look up their hospital's ’Shared Care Affiliates List.’ 

RWH shared care affiliate list map:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1TZucAlqervLbPkltX8VVz89wt5pZC-5k&femb=1&ll=-37.88365720000001%2C145.00585099999998&z=10

Monash Health shared care affiliate list:

https://monashwomens.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Shared-Maternity-Care-Suburban-List.pdf