Informed• Prepared• Supported
Meet Rachel
About your Midwife
I’m Rachel — a midwife with over a decade of experience and a nurse for 14 years. I’m a mum of two small boys and live locally on the Border, but my heart and weekends are in the Alpine Region.
Hiking, biking and skiing are where you will find me outside of work.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Bachelor of Midwifery
- Master of Midwifery Studies
- Graduate Certificate in Midwifery Diagnostics and Prescribing
Philosophy of Care
I believe every woman deserves to feel informed, confident and supported in her care.
My approach is grounded in connection, education and shared decision-making. I take the time to understand what matters to you, provide clear, evidence-based information, and support you to make decisions that feel right for you, your baby and your family.
My own experience of two caesarean births has deeply shaped the way I care for women. I understand that even when birth is safe, necessary and right, it can still bring grief, pressure, disappointment or a quiet feeling of not being “enough”.
I don’t believe there is one “right” way to give birth. Whether your journey includes spontaneous labour, induction, caesarean birth, assisted birth or anything in between, each experience has the potential to be a purple patch — a time where you feel respected, supported, informed and proud of the strength you showed.
My role is to walk alongside you with guidance, advocacy and continuity of care, so you can move through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period feeling prepared, supported and enough.
Your midwife
Your birth,
your Purple Patch
Purple Patch Midwifery is for women who want more time, education and personalised support than standard care can usually provide.
We provide calm, personal and evidence-based care to make your pregnancy and birth your “purple patch”: a time of growth, transformation and wellbeing.
This includes clinic-based antenatal and postnatal appointments, with the option of appointments in your home and flexible telehealth support.
We support women and families across the Albury-Wodonga and Alpine Region with care tailored to your needs — before and after birth.
Antenatal Appointments
Best for
Women wanting regular antenatal midwifery care with more time, continuity and practical planning throughout pregnancy.
Appointments across pregnancy provide the strongest continuity, but single antenatal appointments are also available as a one off, for a specific question, concern or decision.
For more complex pregnancies, midwifery care partners with obstetric, GP or hospital care.
Inclusions
Depending on your stage of pregnancy and needs, an antenatal appointment may include:
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review of your pregnancy, medical history and previous birth experiences
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clinical assessment including blood pressure, urinalysis, fetal growth and wellbeing
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discussion of pregnancy symptoms, concerns and common pregnancy conditions
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referrals for pathology, ultrasound and other pregnancy-related investigations
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review and explanation of test results and screening options
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prescribing of pregnancy-related medications
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education about pregnancy, birth, recovery and newborn care
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birth planning, including discussion of induction, caesarean birth, VBAC, pain relief and other birth options
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feeding preparation, including breastfeeding, expressing, formula feeding and mixed feeding
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coordination of care with hospitals, GPs, obstetricians and other health professionals when required
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planning for the early postnatal period and support at home
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non-urgent telehealth follow-up where appropriate
Typical timing
Antenatal care should begin from early pregnancy, including around the time of pregnancy confirmation scans, ideally before 10 weeks where possible.
Your care usually includes 12 antenatal appointments from early pregnancy through to birth. Visits are generally every 4–6 weeks until 28 weeks, every 2–3 weeks from 28 to 36 weeks, and then weekly from 36 weeks until your baby is born.
A longer Birth Education and Planning Session is included at around 28 weeks, giving you dedicated time to discuss your pregnancy, birth preferences, hospital planning, feeding, recovery and early parenting.
Where:
Clinic appointments are the usual model. Home visits are available by arrangement, with travel fees applying.
Birth Education & Planning Session
Best for
Turning your preferences into a practical birth and postnatal plan.
This is a scheduled appointment delivered around 28 weeks as a part of your Antenatal care.
Designed for women who:
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want a clearer birth plan that is realistic and useful
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feel unsure about what choices they actually have
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want to prepare for vaginal birth, induction, caesarean birth, VBAC, monitoring, pain relief or feeding decisions
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have had a previous difficult or traumatic birth
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want help preparing questions for their hospital admission, GP or obstetrician
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want their support person to better understand labour, birth and advocacy
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want to plan for the first 24–72 hours after birth and the first weeks at home
Your partner or chosen support person is encouraged to attend.
Inclusions
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comprehensive review of your pregnancy so far
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review of relevant history, current health issues and care needs
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discussion of medications, referrals, pathology or imaging needs where relevant
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discussion of your current maternity care pathway
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agreed expectations for care during pregnancy, labour and birth
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birth preferences and decision points
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discussion around all modes of birth
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feeding preparation
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early postnatal planning
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development of a written maternity care plan
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explanation and agreement of the care plan with you
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clear next steps and escalation guidance
What you leave with
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a clearer understanding of your options
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a realistic birth and early postnatal plan
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a list of questions for your care team
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more confidence discussing your preferences
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a better understanding of what may happen if plans need to change
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clearer escalation points for pregnancy, labour and after birth
Midwifery Services
Postnatal Appointments
Best for
Families wanting postnatal midwifery care after birth, including maternal recovery, feeding support, newborn wellbeing, clinical assessment and early parenting.
Inclusions
Depending on your recovery and your family's needs, postnatal appointments may include:
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assessment of maternal recovery following birth
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review of healing, pain, bleeding, feeding concerns and other postnatal symptoms
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feeding support, including breastfeeding, expressing, formula feeding and mixed feeding
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baby wellbeing assessment, including weight, jaundice, feeding patterns and newborn adjustment
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review and explanation of relevant test results, screening and follow-up recommendations
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prescribing of postnatal medications and referral for pathology or other investigations when required
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birth debriefing and emotional wellbeing support
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guidance on newborn care, recovery, warning signs and when to seek medical review
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coordination of care with your GP, maternal child health nurse, lactation consultant, paediatrician or hospital team where required
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non-urgent telehealth follow-up where appropriate
Typical timing
6 visits across the first 6 weeks after birth, with timing adjusted to your needs. Additional postnatal checks may occur if required.
Where:
Home visits may be used in the early postnatal period. Clinic appointments are also used. Travel fees apply for home visits.
Flexible Non-Urgent Tele-Health Between Visits
Regular clients may access bulk-billed short telehealth support for non-urgent questions that come up between scheduled appointments.
Can be used for:
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Clarifying advice
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Discussing minor non-urgent concerns
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Reviewing next steps
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Asking whether something needs a full appointment
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Brief feeding or postnatal questions
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Preparing for an upcoming appointment with another provider
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This support is not for urgent concerns, labour care, emergency advice or 24/7 on-call support.
Pricing & Appointment Timing
Notes:
- Medicare rebates are estimates only.
- Women under 21 years of age are bulk billed if eligible.
Common Questions
When should I book my first appointment?
You can book your first appointment with Rachel as soon as you know you are pregnant. No referral required.
Early care gives you time to confirm your pregnancy, arrange pregnancy-related blood tests and ultrasound referrals, discuss your health history, ask questions, and plan the care that feels right for you.
Where possible, we recommend booking before 10 weeks of pregnancy, especially if you would like support from the beginning to allow Rachel to help coordinate your early pregnancy investigations and ongoing antenatal care.
If you are already further along, you are still very welcome to book. Rachel can meet you at any stage of pregnancy and tailor your care from there.
Can Rachel help with ultrasounds, referrals and prescriptions?
Yes. Rachel can provide referrals for pregnancy-related blood tests, pathology and ultrasound scans, as well as prescriptions and other referrals when clinically appropriate.
This means you can see Rachel from early pregnancy and have your routine investigations and antenatal care coordinated with her from the start.
Which areas does Purple Patch Midwifery service?
Purple Patch Midwifery supports women and families across the Albury-Wodonga region with clinic based appointments. A clinic is also available in Myrtleford to support women throughout Victoria’s Alpine region, including Bright, Myrtleford, Mount Beauty, Porepunkah and Tawonga.
Do I need a referral?
No. You do not need a GP referral to book an appointment with Rachel.
You can book directly from early pregnancy, including from the time you first confirm you are pregnant. As an endorsed midwife, Rachel can provide pregnancy-related care, request blood tests, pathology and ultrasound scans, prescribe certain medicines, and arrange referrals when clinically appropriate.
Are Medicare rebates available?
Medicare rebates may be available for eligible services. Rebate amounts depend on Medicare rules, appointment timing and clinical eligibility.
Do you attend births?
Purple Patch Midwifery does not currently provide labour and birth attendance or 24/7 on-call care. Care is designed to support you during pregnancy and after birth but you birth through your chosen hospital.
Can I still use Purple Patch if I am booked at hospital?
Yes. Care is designed to work alongside your hospital, GP or obstetric maternity care.
What support is available for breastfeeding?
We offer comprehensive postnatal support that includes feeding assessments, practical guidance with positioning and attachment, and long-term feeding plans tailored to your goals, whether you are breastfeeding, formula feeding, or mixed feeding.
Do you do home visits?
Home visits are available subject to availability. Fees apply and will be discussed prior to accepting.
Informed • Prepared • Supported