Congratulations on your pregnancy! This is hopefully a very special time, filled with excitement and anticipation - and a lot of new information.
One of your first choices is about the type of healthcare support you’d like during your pregnancy. For many people, a midwife plays a central role in providing care, guidance and reassurance during pregnancy, birth and the early stages of parenthood.
But what exactly does a midwife do and how could they help you?
What is a midwife?
A midwife is a qualified health professional who focuses on pregnancy, birth and postnatal care.
In Australia, midwives are trained through an accredited university program, typically completing a Bachelor of Midwifery or a dual degree in nursing and midwifery. To practise, midwives must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Endorsed midwives have additional qualifications that allow them to prescribe certain medications and order diagnostic tests.
Midwives usually approach pregnancy and birth as natural, physiological processes rather than treating them as medical conditions by default. This approach - often described as normalising rather than medicalising pregnancy - means that midwives aim to provide care that is respectful, individualised and focused on what is typical for healthy pregnancies.
For pregnant women, this may translate to fewer unnecessary interventions, more autonomy in decision-making, and a greater sense of confidence in their body’s ability to carry and birth a baby.
Midwives are also skilled at identifying when medical input is needed, helping to ensure that more complex needs are appropriately assessed. Many midwives work in collaboration with GPs, obstetricians and other healthcare professionals to support healthy pregnancy outcomes.
What does a midwife do?
Midwives provide care through every stage of pregnancy, from early antenatal visits to birth and postnatal recovery.
Their role includes:
- Antenatal care: Midwives monitor your health and your baby’s health. They conduct routine checks (such as blood pressure, foetal growth, and wellbeing) and provide education about what to expect during your pregnancy.
- Birth support: During labour and birth, a midwife may guide you through pain relief options, breathing techniques and delivery, depending on your birth plan and location.
- Postnatal care: After birth, midwives support your physical recovery and emotional adjustment to parenthood. They also help you learn how to feed your baby and gain confidence in your abilities.
Your midwife often becomes a trusted member of your healthcare team.
Benefits of a midwife
The benefits of having a midwife include:
- Individualised care: Midwives focus on your preferences, needs and goals.
- Emotional support: Having a consistent caregiver may ease anxiety.
- Accessible advice: Midwives provide clear, evidence-based guidance to help you navigate pregnancy, birth and early parenting.
- One of your first choices is about the type of healthcare support you’d like during your pregnancy. For many people, a midwife plays a central role in providing care, guidance and reassurance during pregnancy, birth and the early stages of parenthood. : A consistent relationship with a midwife may lead to better outcomes and higher patient satisfaction, especially when the same caregiver supports you across appointments.
Continuity of care in midwifery
Continuity of care midwifery refers to a model where you’re supported by the same midwife (or the same small team of midwives) throughout your pregnancy, birth and post-natal care.
Evidence shows this model leads to:
- Greater satisfaction with care
- Increased likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth
- Reduced interventions, including inductions and caesarean sections
- Improved bonding and emotional support.
A Cochrane Review of 17 studies involving 18,533 randomised women found that,
“Women receiving midwife continuity of care models were less likely to experience a caesarean section and instrumental birth, and may be less likely to experience episiotomy. They were more likely to experience spontaneous vaginal birth and report a positive experience.”
At Saige Health and Wellness, we support continuity of care across general practice, midwifery, specialist care and ultrasound. Our approach ensures your journey feels consistent, supported and well informed.
The relationship between your midwife and ultrasound services
Your midwife or doctor may refer you for ultrasound scans at various stages of your pregnancy. The Saige Ultrasound group offers dedicated pregnancy imaging on-site, including:
- Early dating scans
- Nuchal translucency screening
- 20-week scans
- Morphology scans
- Growth assessments.
Having this service under the same roof allows for stronger communication and continuity. It also supports collaborative planning between your midwife, GP and any specialists involved in your care.
We hope this connected approach supports your overall pregnancy experience by making your care more convenient, coordinated and supportive.
When should my first midwife appointment be?
Ideally, your first midwife visit occurs between 6–10 weeks of pregnancy. Typically, your midwife will spend some time getting to know you and will also:
- Ask about your health history
- Provide information on care pathways
- Discuss any pregnancy symptoms or concerns you may have.
If you’re unsure when to book, talk to your GP or call us on (02) 6652 1266.
Ready to begin your journey with midwifery care?
At Saige Health & Wellness, our collaborative team supports you through every stage of pregnancy and beyond. If you’re considering midwifery care or simply want to understand your options, please get in touch.
Book an appointment or learn more about our pregnancy services by calling (02) 6652 1266 or visiting our contact page.
Disclaimer
All information is general and not intended as a substitute for professional advice.
References
- Australian College of Midwives, What’s a midwife? https://midwives.org.au/Web/Web/About-ACM/Whats_a_midwife.aspx, [Accessed 16 July 2025]
- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby, What do midwives do? https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/midwife#, [Accessed 16 July 2025]
- Sandall J, Fernandez Turienzo C, Devane D, Soltani H, Gillespie P, Gates S, Jones LV, Shennan AH, Rayment-Jones H. Midwife continuity of care models versus other models of care for childbearing women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024 Apr 10;4(4):CD004667. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004667.pub6. PMID: 38597126; PMCID: PMC11005019. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004667.pub6/full, [Accessed 16 July 2025]
