Continuity of Care with a Private Midwife: The Gold Standard in the Northern Rivers

In Australia, Midwifery Continuity of Care is widely recognised as the gold standard in maternity services—offering the best outcomes for mothers, babies, and midwives alike. In the Northern Rivers, a region known for its vibrant community and deep respect for holistic and culturally sensitive care, private midwifery services are leading the way in delivering this model with excellence.

Whether supporting homebirth, birth on Country, or individualized care in all settings, private midwives offer continuity that goes far beyond clinical outcomes—providing connection, trust, and long-term wellbeing.

Better Outcomes for Mothers and Babies

Research consistently shows that women receiving continuity of care from a known midwife throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period experience:

• Higher rates of spontaneous, unmedicated birth

• Reduced likelihood of unnecessary interventions (such as inductions, epidurals, and caesarean sections)

• Lower rates of preterm birth, with babies more likely to be born full-term and in good health

• Higher satisfaction with the birth experience, and improved sense of confidence and empowerment

• Increased rates of successful breastfeeding, with better initiation and duration outcomes

These benefits are not only personal—they’re systemic. Continuity of care reduces strain on hospitals, lowers costs to the health system, and supports long-term maternal and child health.

A Unique Strength of Private Midwifery in the Northern Rivers

In the Northern Rivers, private midwives are ideally placed to offer flexible, responsive, and relationship-based care. Their ability to spend time with clients, build meaningful relationships, and tailor care to cultural, emotional, and clinical needs makes this model especially well-suited to:

• Remote and rural families

• First Nations families seeking to birth on Country

• Women seeking homebirth or alternatives to hospital care

• Those recovering from birth trauma or navigating complex care systems

Private midwives provide true continuity—not just of name, but of presence. From the first appointment to the final postnatal visit, they offer a familiar face, an advocate, and a trusted support person throughout the entire journey.

Improving Conditions for Midwives, Too

As the benefits for women and babies have become clear, so too have the advantages of CoC for midwives themselves.

Midwives working in continuity models report:

• Greater job satisfaction and autonomy

• Stronger relationships with the families they serve

• Improved mental health and lower burnout rates

• Deeper alignment with their professional values and passion for birth work

In contrast to fragmented shift-based care, CoC allows midwives to practice in a way that honors the whole person—both in the women they serve and in themselves.

In private practice, midwives in the Northern Rivers are not only supporting better birth outcomes, they are also carving out sustainable, fulfilling careers grounded in connection, integrity, and community.

A Vision for the Future

Investing in and expanding private midwifery services offering continuity of care—particularly in rural and culturally rich regions like the Northern Rivers—is not just a step toward better maternity care; it is a step toward health equity, sustainability, and community-led wellness.

In short, when women have access to a known midwife, everyone benefits.