Midwifery Care · Making Sense of a Birth
Birth Debrief
Some births leave questions. You just need yours to make sense, and the space to sit with it until it does.
What happened, why, and what it means, now, or for next time.
I'm Jen, a Registered and Endorsed Midwife. One appointment, ninety minutes, with someone who knows the clinical side and has time to sit with you in it.
What this appointment is
A birth debrief is a clinical conversation, not therapy and not a complaints process. It's a chance to say what you need to say, and to have your story led by you. We start with what you remember, in your own words, at your own pace. Then we go through the clinical side together, filling in what wasn't explained the first time, in plain language, checking as we go that it makes sense.
Sometimes you've got the medical language, "pre-eclampsia," "caesarean," the terms from your discharge summary, but not what it means for you. Other times it's the reverse, you follow each piece on its own, but not how they connected, what might have led to what, or what it means for your recovery or your health down the track.
I can go through your notes with you and explain what's in them in real language. I can tell you what's common practice and why, and where there was genuine room for a different approach.
If there's someone else worth talking to, a specialist, a physio, extra support, I'll point you toward them.
Some questions won't have an answer I can give you, and that's useful too, it tells us where to go next, whether that's back to your own care provider with clearer questions, or somewhere new. You may leave with a written summary of what we covered.
You might book this if you
- Want to understand how the pieces of your birth fit together, an induction, your baby taken to the NICU, feeding that didn't go to plan, and whether any of it was connected
- Are pregnant again, and want to make sense of what happened last time to help you prepare to birth and mother again
- Were told it was normal, or common, or ok, but it didn't feel fine
- Are wondering what might help your recovery, or your long-term health, going forward
- Have a question that's been sitting with you, unanswered
Whenever you're ready
Whether you had your baby last week, or years ago, or you're pregnant again now, this is here for you. There's no timeline for needing to know.
If you're pregnant again, debriefing your previous birth may be an integral part of preparing for this one.
If there are specific choices you're struggling with, consumed by, that are taking up your mind or demanding a decision, a VBAC, a repeat caesarean, feeding choices, or anything shaped by your previous experience, this is the conversation to open up the angles and the questions, and think through the steps toward the choice that's right for you. I don't tell you what to choose. I offer you the information to fill in the gaps.
If none of that is where you're at right now, that's completely fine, this appointment works just as well for a straightforward question as it does for something more layered.
Ready when you are
90 minutes, one appointment. Book online, then complete a short form beforehand so I can make sure this is the right fit and prepare for our time together.
$395 · payment due at the appointment · see fees and Medicare below
Right now you might be circling the same questions, again and again, with nowhere to land. This is space to stop, and to leave with a fuller shape of it in front of you.
No referral needed. If you're not sure this is the right appointment for what you're carrying, email first, and we'll work out together whether it fits.
Questions
Is this therapy?
No. It's a clinical midwifery appointment, not therapy. If it becomes clear that's what would help, I'll say so and point you toward the right person.
Will you tell me my care team did something wrong?
I'll tell you what happened and why, in plain language. This isn't a complaints process. Email me first if you'd like to know more before booking.
Is it covered by Medicare?
Rebates apply if you're currently pregnant, or up to 7 weeks postpartum. Outside that window, no rebate applies, and payment is due at the appointment either way.
What if I get upset?
That's completely normal, and there's room for it. Nothing is rushed here.
Do I need to have my hospital notes?
No. We can work with what you remember, and I can tell you how to request your notes if that would help.
Fees and Medicare
Outside the pregnancy-to-7-weeks-postpartum window, no Medicare rebate applies, since this appointment then falls outside standard antenatal/postnatal MBS items. The fee stays the same regardless of timing.