The new patient care model preventing birth trauma
Giving birth is such a momentous experience for women. You spend nine months planning out in your head how it will happen, and what it will be like the moment you first meet your baby earthside.
Childbirth should be a joyful and empowering experience for women, but for so many it ends up being the opposite.
A groundbreaking inquiry in NSW recently revealed that more than four thousand women have suffered birth trauma, highlighting the urgent need for reform in maternity care.
One of the key recommendations from the inquiry is continuity of care—where a woman receives care from the same providers throughout her pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey.
Introducing a first-of-its-kind birthing model in Victoria
In response to these findings, a clinic in Victoria has pioneered a revolutionary new model of maternity care, which offers women a more personalised and empowering experience.
Founded by Genea Fertility Specialist Dr Toby Angstmann alongside midwives Fleur Harber and Tess O’Connor, their clinic, Nurtured Women’s Health, brings together decades of experience in fertility, maternity, and women’s health. This new approach focuses on the whole journey, from conception to early parenthood, and offers a compassionate, holistic model that prioritises women’s physical and psychological health.
Unlike traditional public hospital care pathways that often involve multiple practitioners, this model offers continuity of care—a consistent team of professionals who stay with you from start to finish.
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The differences to traditional public maternity care
One of the major differences between traditional public hospital maternity care and this new model is the number of practitioners involved in your care.
In the public system, it’s common for women to see up to 18 different professionals throughout their pregnancy and postpartum period. This fragmentation can lead to miscommunication and anxiety, especially during such a vulnerable time.
In contrast, Nurtured Women’s Health offers a far more personalised experience, with women seeing just four practitioners from their first antenatal appointment to their postnatal care. This creates a trusting relationship, allowing for better communication, informed decision-making, and a greater sense of empowerment.
A continuity of care model for every woman
One of the unique aspects for this model of care is how inclusive it is. Often, women with higher-risk pregnancies, such as those with twins, a high BMI, or a previous caesarean, are excluded from continuity of care models. However, Nurtured Women’s Health welcomes women of all backgrounds and risk levels, so that everyone can access this life-changing model of care.
By assigning each woman a dedicated midwife and obstetrician, this model encourages a deep bond between patient and provider. It creates a sense of security often missing from the traditional public health model. If medical intervention is needed during pregnancy or delivery, the trusted team is there to help you through it.
But how much does it cost?
Many women would love to have the kind of care offered in the private system but the cost is a barrier.
Delivery in the private system can range from $6500 to $8500 in Victoria. Nurtured Women’s Health offers an affordable alternative with their ‘Private in Public’ model, which costs $4500 out-of-pocket. This comprehensive package includes full antenatal care, childbirth education, labour and birth support, and six weeks of postnatal care. Meanwhile, many private obstetricians will only offer one postnatal appointment and charge much higher fees.
Also, women without Medicare can still access care at competitive rates, so even more parents-to-be can be supported.
The evidence when it comes to birth trauma…
The benefits of continuity of care are well-documented. Research shows that only 29% of maternity care models in Australia offer a consistent care provider throughout the pregnancy journey.
This disrupted care pattern has been closely tied to birth trauma. Women who receive continuous care report feeling more empowered, supported, and in control, leading to better health outcomes for both mother and baby.
The recent NSW inquiry into birth trauma echoed these findings, making continuity of care one of their 43 key recommendations. It’s an impactful step towards women having a positive and nurtured birth story.
A team dedicated to empowering women
The expert team at Nurtured Women’s Health brings a wealth of experience and passion for women’s health.
- Dr. Toby Angstmann, a Genea fertility, gynaecology, and obstetrics specialist, advocates for women’s right to make autonomous decisions around their health and birth.
- Fleur Harber, an experienced midwife, has a passion for active birth, breastfeeding, and postnatal care, ensuring mothers feel empowered and supported.
- Tess O’Connor, a midwife and lactation consultant, is dedicated to early pregnancy assessments and providing compassionate care during pregnancy loss.
Both midwives are registered nurses and have become endorsed, enabling them to prescribe pregnancy-relevant medications such as anti-nausea tablets, antibiotics or medicines used to manage bleeding after birth. Endorsed midwives are also able to order diagnostic tests such as ultrasounds and blood tests, so they can give their patients the full spectrum of care.
This team delivers expert medical care, but they also go a step further. They lean into emotional support and education so that women feel seen and heard at every step of their pregnancy journey.
A real-life water birth story
For one mother, the support from her dedicated team at Nurtured Women’s Health made all the difference.
After three long, difficult labours with her previous children, Bridgette wanted to try something different the fourth time around. Together with her team, they developed a plan for a water birth, and despite needing to be induced, she was able to labour in the shower. But in the moment, something was still holding her back.
In Bridgette’s words, “The cervix was clear but Quinn still wasn’t coming. I realised I had been holding on because I was afraid. At this point, I let go and relaxed my body.
Almost immediately, I felt the pressure and it was time to do my biggest push. Quinn’s head came out. Fleur calmly and gently told me to breathe Quinn out, I breathed slowly and Quinn came out in the shower, right into Fleur’s arms.
When she passed her up to me I was in complete shock and disbelief even though this was my fourth time doing this. I was staring down at my baby girl, she was healthy and so beautiful and I had done it. I have never felt so empowered as what I did in that moment. I had given birth to my baby girl and felt every single part of it.”
A new era in maternity care
Women’s pregnancy stories are shifting – and it’s so wonderful to see. They’re able to own their journey and connect to their body, both things the Western world hasn’t seen before.
Nurtured Women’s Health Bayside has been carving a new model of maternity care that can have a real ripple effect. For women, for their families, and for the entire medical system.
It ensures every woman feels empowered and confident throughout her pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood journey.
As Dr. Toby Angstmann puts it, “I support women’s right to make autonomous decisions around their health, pregnancy, and birth, and I’m here to stand beside my patients through their journey.”
With Nurtured Women’s Health, the future of maternity care looks brighter, kinder, and more empowering for every woman.
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