Welcome to MAMA Education

What's your name and role at MAMA?

I’m Hayley, I am an endorsed midwife & work as an educator and as the education manager here at MAMA.

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

When caring for families as a midwife in the public maternity system, I consistently found myself craving more time to answer the wonderfully curious questions that they had – which led me to education.

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

I’m increasingly passionate about parents stepping into their power - entering birth with self-trust & emerging into parenthood with confidence. I’m also passionate about having ample time to expose people to different perspectives, share some laughs, cultivate connections with me and other parents & reassure them that their internal knowing will combine with what they learn so that they can make the right choices for their family.

What are your favourite things about your role?

When I first walked into MAMA, I saw women attending appointments & hugging their midwives. I commented that it looked like they were being brought into somebody’s sitting room for a cup of tea & a far cry from the version of midwifery that I was used to in tertiary hospitals. MAMA midwives inspired me to reevaluate what midwifery meant to me after a season of burnout, complete further training and open my mindset to working in a different way. Truly, it lit me back up & showed me what burning passion feels like as a midwife. I’m now embarking on my own journey to offering private midwifery care in Brisbane. There is something powerful in being part of a team who are so passionate about holistic care – it inspires you to continue growing. Being an expat, MAMA has been a grounding presence & a massive part of my community in my home away from home.

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

In my down time, you’ll currently find me annoying my new puppy with kisses while he tries to sleep. When I'm not obsessing over my fur baby, my life is filled with the magic of ordinary moments – being with friends, videochatting my family until the next visit home, laughing with my partner, putting my toes in the sand, listening to every episode of my fav podcasts, camping, travelling & reading books galore.

What’s your name and role at MAMA?

My name is Abby and I’m one of MAMA’s childbirth educators and also an MGP midwife at Joan Kirner hospital.

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

I’ve been drawn to midwifery since I was little and still struggle to explain why. The pull was deep and inescapable. I had a sense, the way children do about things, that birth - and the bonds formed at birth - hold all the most important secrets about our world. I also sensed I would never be at my happiest unless worked with women and babies. I now know both of these to be true.

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

MAMA is special to me for so many reasons, above all because it feels like home. There’s nothing I’d trade for the warmth and sense of belonging gained from working in a team that shares the same core values. I remember my first time walking into MAMA instantly being met with hugs and real connection …and it has been the same way ever since.

What are your favourite things about your role?

I am most passionate about expanding access to midwifery continuity of care across our country - particularly to indigenous, culturally and linguistically diverse families. In addition to my midwifery degree I also hold a Bachelor of International Studies, which is where this passion emerges from. This experience allowed me to travel to India and Africa working in maternal health and studying issues of reproductive justice. My midwifery position at present is in Galinjera, which is the MGP team for all First Nations families that come through our hospital.

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

I live in St Kilda with my adoring partner, so between time on-call for women and births, I am usually walking along the beach with him, reading books, practicing yoga, napping, and talking about midwifery to anyone who will listen. I also love dancing, singing, hosting gatherings of women, travelling and taking road trips around our beautiful country.

What's your name and role at MAMA?

I'm Amanda - CPR instructor

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

I love educating and talking to families about how to care for their families

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

I'm passionate about making the class realistic and actionable steps you can apply in your every day life

What are your favourite things about your role?

MAMA is more than special to me, it is home. I initially used MAMA midwives to have a homebirth and then ended up working here afterwards. The community, vibes and care are second to none.

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

I'm home with my kids, enjoying a good book, baking sour dough.

What's your name and role at MAMA?

I am Dianne Morris an educator in the childbirth and early parenting space. I trained as a nurse midwife and researcher in the UK and worked in the NHS as a nurse, midwife, and clinical researcher. Once I arrived in Australia I worked as a research midwife and nurse in Sydney.

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

I was drawn to work at MAMA. I was also offered the opportunity to design and facilitate the development of the fourth-trimester workshop, offering parents, the chance to explore their new reality as a parent with a new baby.

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

Teaching, and thinking of new ways to teach and deliver content for the childbirth and parenting classes. Information on childbirth and parenting is constantly evolving, and delivery of content will change depending on the participants who attend the class, and the current research.

What are your favourite things about your role?

I was attracted to work at MAMA because It is run by Midwives, for Mothers, and everything is focused on women and babies. MAMA is a one-stop shop for all things relating to pregnancy, birth, babies, and alternative therapies. Making the women's pregnancy journey cohesive and smooth. I enjoy spending time in the building, speaking with the midwives, and being supported by the admin staff.

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

I am an introvert and spend my home time creating music on my steel pan, learning to play the guitar, or cooking something delicious from scratch. Music and theatre are two of my passions, I am a Public Relations Manager to a range of musicians and creative artists, from the African and Caribbean diaspora. Promoting ethnic music and performance to the Australian creative artistic market is enriching. I also spend time, teaching and inspiring the next generation of nurses and midwives as a sessional academic at the Australian Catholic University. I am a member of the Project Advisory Group at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute I spend time with community members, working within maternity care settings, and health professionals providing pregnancy care. aims to understand and enable culturally safe approaches to stillbirth prevention for communities of refugee and migrant backgrounds receiving pregnancy care in Australia.

What's your name and role at MAMA?

My name is Lizzie and I am a childbirth Educator at MAMA! Alongside this I also work as a caseload midwife at a Melbourne based public hospital.

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

I was looking for something to complement my hospital based clinical work. Educating families across the spectrum of pregnancy, birth and postpartum is one of my favourite parts of being a midwife so teaching childbirth education classes felt like a natural progression!

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

My great passion is presenting families with the tools to make informed choices in all aspects of their care on their journey to parenthood.

What are your favourite things about your role?

I love that MAMA provides such an amazing array of services for parents and families across the childbearing continuum.

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

When I’m not at work you’ll usually find me curled up with a good book and cup of tea, usually with my fur-baby Monte by my side!

What's your name and role at MAMA?

Rachel, a Midwife and Educator at MAMA.

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

I was born and raised in the beautiful Lake District in England, with 3 years also spent living in Italy. I obtained my BA (Hons) Midwifery degree from the University of York, England, in 2010-2013. It was during this training that I opted to take a month-long elective placement in Melbourne with MAMA, and it was here that planted the seed for my passion for caseloading, homebirth and empowering women and their families. Between 2013-2016, I worked for a caseloading midwifery practice in Cheshire, England, providing full continuity of care and homebirths. During this time I also trained as a hypnobirthing teacher.

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

I believe in providing individualised, holistic care, supporting women to make informed choices, and staying true to midwifery. I am particularly passionate about postnatal care and breastfeeding support, and love supporting families through the magic and challenges of the first 6 weeks postpartum. I also have a strong interest in nutrition and holistic health, and enjoy working collaboratively with allied health practitioners to provide the best care.

What are your favourite things about your role?

I moved to Melbourne, Australia in 2016, to settle in the country I love and work at the place which has my heart - MAMA. I jumped straight into undertaking postgraduate studies to become an endorsed midwife, and also became a shared care affiliate with multiple public hospitals. My first 6 years at MAMA were spent as a caseloading midwife, providing the full spectrum of antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care. I also taught group parent education classes during this time. In 2022 I decided to take a break from on-call life after spending the previous 9 years on call 24/7! Since then, I have continued to provide antenatal and postnatal care at MAMA, and have taken on a larger educator role. I teach all of the student midwife workshops at MAMA, and teach private 1:1 parent education classes in both labour/birth and breastfeeding/newborn care. I also teach group parent education classes in infant and child first aid.

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

I live Bayside Melbourne with my 2 beautiful cats. I can often be found walking the coastal trails, and in warmer weather, going for a swim. I love being out in nature - I grew up in the lakes, mountains and forests, and that is what my heart craves! Getting out of the city for day trips is good for my soul - the Mornington Peninsula is a favourite spot! I also love reading, poetry, theatre, drawing, piano playing, catching up with friends, and I am always trying to learn new things!Description goes here

What's your name and role at MAMA?

Seb (she/her) - Childbirth Educator at MAMA and Registered Midwife/Nurse working within public maternity care.

What inspired you to work at MAMA?

As a typical extrovert, having a robust conversation is something I love to do. So naturally, teaching about midwifery and all it comes with fills my cup! My initial pull to midwifery came whilst living abroad in Israel - my second home. I witnessed countless missed opportunities for supporting and nourishing women's health within my own community and wished to be the change. This has led me to seek work in more culturally diverse spaces; both in my own and within other communities, with a hope to foster strength within women and the belief in themselves.

What are you passionate about at MAMA?

Many of us come with deep-seated ideas about healthcare, the power of women, what family means, where we hold community, and how we love. My passion is to dovetail all those elements with evidence-based midwifery practice, and sometimes be a little goofy in the process. After all, laughter is a language we all understand!

What are your favourite things about your role?

MAMA truly practices midwifery with heart, fusing evidence-based practice with empathy and trust. I resonate with this very much.

Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

To wind down, I love to peruse markets, op shops and anywhere with special treasures. I also love to swim, boogie, sip chai with a friend, or hang out with my awesome husband, Jesse.

Name/role at MAMA/any other identifying info that is important to you.

My name is Stella and I am a childbirth educator at MAMA. I'm also a registered midwife working in the public maternity care system

 What inspired you to work at MAMA?

I have always been passionate about midwifery, my calling to the profession began at age thirteen and I have been pursuing and living out that dream ever since. I believe childbirth education is such an essential part of birthing people having an empowered and positive birth experience, so I feel excited and honoured to be a part of that knowledge sharing at MAMA. Whilst I find my clinical work in the hospital system rewarding and miraculous, it can also be challenging, and it fills my cup to meet individuals and couples through entering this exciting life stage and to learn alongside them.

 What are you passionate about at MAMA?

I love the varied and thoughtful questions and conversations that inevitably come up when teaching childbirth education, I love how keen mothers and birthing people are to learn about this complex and beautiful world of labour and birth. I also feel excited by the ever-changing landscape of birth knowledge - we are learning new things all the time! MAMA is such a wonderful place to teach and learn, with so many passionate and talented people providing full spectrum, holistic, nurturing care and education to pregnant folk and their families.

 What are your favourite things about your role?

I love when birth partners and support people get excited and involved - there's nothing that tickles me more than when a dad-to-be is writing notes during class! 

 Where would we find you outside of MAMA?

When I'm not working I'm mostly likely to be doing some kind of crafty project, working on a puzzle, hanging out with my awesome husband, or walking around our local area trying to spot cute dogs. I'm a big fan of a good cappuccino, and I'll catch a musical theatre performance whenever I can.