Informed• Prepared• Supported
Midwifery Services
Pregnancy (Antenatal) Care
From early pregnancy through to birth
Your own midwife, with time to listen, answer your questions and help you feel prepared throughout pregnancy.
Rachel provides routine pregnancy checks, blood tests, ultrasound referrals and prescriptions when appropriate, with time to explain your results and plan your ongoing care.
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.
Services include antenatal and postnatal appointments, birth education and planning, labour and birth support at home and in hospital, and planned home birth for eligible low-risk pregnancies.
We support women and families across the Albury-Wodonga and Alpine Region with care tailored to your needs — before, during and after birth.
Meet Rachel
About your Midwife
I’m Rachel—an Endorsed Midwife with over a decade of midwifery experience and 14 years of nursing experience.
I provide personalised care across pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period, with longer appointments that allow time for clinical care, education, questions and individual planning.
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.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Bachelor of Midwifery
- Master of Midwifery Studies
- Graduate Certificate in Midwifery Diagnostics and Prescribing
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 antenatal and postnatal appointments. Rebate amounts depend on Medicare rules, appointment timing and clinical eligibility.
Medicare rebates are not available for home birth.
Could homebirth be suitable for me?
As an initial guide, you:
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Are aged 18–40 with a BMI below 35
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Are expecting one baby
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Have had no more than four previous births
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Have not had a previous caesarean or other uterine surgery
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Have no current significant medical or pregnancy complications
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Have no history of major postpartum haemorrhage, shoulder dystocia or retained placenta
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Have a place of birth within approximately 30 minutes of an appropriate receiving maternity hospital
Final suitability depends on your pregnancy remaining low-risk, your baby being head-down, labour beginning spontaneously between 37+0 and 41+6 weeks, your test results and the suitability of your home and transfer route.
Suitability can only be confirmed after an initial antenatal appointment, and subject to the agreement of the second midwife.
If you change your mind, or your pregnancy becomes unsuitable for home birth prior to the on-call period, your home birth package fees will be refunded less a 10% booking fee.
If your pregnancy becomes unsuitable during the on-call period, a pro-rated portion of your birth package fees will be refunded.
Can I still use Purple Patch if I am booked at hospital?
Yes. You can see Rachel for antenatal and postnatal care, birth education, or labour and birth support while remaining booked with your hospital, GP or obstetrician.
If you book labour and birth support, Rachel can support you at home when appropriate and remain with you as your chosen support person in hospital.
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 every Tuesday and can be booked through Cliniko. If you live outside of 15 minutes of Albury - Wodonga, Bright, Mt Beauty, Myrtleford or Porepunkah we will contact you to discuss.
Informed • Prepared • Supported