Our Midwife Team
Anne Moore
Anne completed her midwifery education in the UK where she worked as a midwife in the community prior to relocating to New Zealand with her family. In New Zealand her belief in women and their ability to birth their baby’s with support from a midwife they know and trust became fundamental to her practice. Working in partnership with women is a privilege, with lifelong friendships and wonderful memories.
Since 2000 she has worked in Queensland across a number of different health services, implementing, promoting continuity of care and midwifery. Her midwifery roles have included management and higher levels, continually striving for change and reform in maternity services in Australia.
“Pregnancy and birth are a special time in a woman’s life and I absolutely love working with women, their partners and family, guiding them during their journey,” Anne said. “I have the ability and skills to offer women pregnancy and birthing information that will empower them to look at their options around birthing at home or hospital.”I always use these skills to work in collaboration with other health professionals and if the partnership extends to encompass others, a positive birthing environment can be achieved for the woman and family.
As a midwife I have an inherent belief that childbirth is organic and holistic in context and that it is important that whenever possible the normal physiological journey of birth should progress uninterrupted.”Anne believes in promoting, protecting and supporting normal birth and that all women have the right to self-determine their childbirth experience.
Most importantly, she believes it is every woman’s right to choose the place she births her baby with the support of a skilled midwife and that women have the right to make informed decisions and choices about their childbirth experience.
Allison Stephens
Becoming a mother is an amazing and life-changing experience. However, it is not a journey that women should take alone. It was this belief that drew Allison to midwifery over 25 years ago. Her career has seen her work in both small and large maternity wards in Queensland before joining the Coast Life Midwifery team in 2016. Allison was drawn to Coast Life Midwifery as she wanted to provide the type of midwife-led care that leads to better outcomes for mum and baby.
Since joining the Coast Life team Allison has supported countless women in their journey from pregnancy to early parenting. Allison loves being able to provide continuity of care, getting to know each family and supporting them to have the best start possible. She finds herself in constant awe of the strength of women and feels privileged to be part of their story.
Allison’s experience means she is able to provide care in a range of settings including both home and hospital births. No matter what birth you are hoping for Allison is passionate about working in partnership with you. She will ensure you have the information and support you need to make informed choices about your care. Her goal is to ensure that all women have a positive, empowering and supported experience during pregnancy, childbirth and the first few days and weeks with a new baby.
In addition to being a midwife Allison is also a qualified Lactation Consultant. In the early days of her career, and when she became a mother herself, Allison recognised a gap in the care provided to women in this area. She identified that there was a lack of support and information provided with respect to breastfeeding. Knowing how beneficial breastfeeding is for both mother and baby, Allison undertook further study so she could offer this service to families.
Allison offers breastfeeding consultations in the clinic, as well as home visits to those who she has supported in pregnancy. Allison’s years of experience and knowledge means she is able to support women with a variety of breastfeeding issues.
When she’s not working Allison loves to spend time with her family, including her three adult sons and her new granddaughter. Since moving to the coast she makes sure she enjoys all it has to offer, walking swimming and cycling in the area.
If you’re looking for someone to walk beside you through pregnancy, birth and beyond make an appointment to meet Allison today. She will be with you every step of the way, providing care and support during this transformational time.
Lisa McHugh
Lisa is a Midwife and Lactation Consultant who joined us in 2022 from the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne. Lisa offers continuity of care for the antenatal and postnatal package, Lactation Consultations and group education. You may also see her as a support midwife at home births.
Lisa completed her Midwifery degree at the University of Canberra and joined the Royal Women’s Hospital on its highly sought after graduate program, working across all areas of midwifery.
“Working in a large
and extremely busy hospital, especially during the pandemic was challenging. I
was in constant awe of the skills of our midwifery team and the resilience of
the women and families I supported”.
Cath Williams
Cath is an Endorsed Midwife and Hypnobirthing Australia ™ Practitioner who joined us in 2022 from Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. Cath offers continuity of care for families choosing to birth at home or at SCUH, antenatal/postnatal care packages, education sessions and shared care with private obstetricians.
Cath completed her Bachelor of Midwifery at ACU in Melbourne and was fortunate to receive a Graduate position at Joan Kirner (formally Sunshine Hospital) in 2012. Working across all areas, Cath found her passion in antenatal care, with a keen interest supporting women with mental health challenges in pregnancy. ‘The antenatal period is such a transformative time in a woman’s life. The people she encounters during this time and the education, wisdom and care she is shown will have a lasting effect on her, her birth, and her confidence as a new parent.’
Working for ten years in a large, busy metropolitan hospital had its challenges but with them came the opportunities to work with highly skilled professionals and a uniquely diverse population of women from various cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds. ‘Every day was different; every woman had a new story and something to teach you. Work never felt like ‘work, especially when your colleagues became your friends.’
After birthing her own three babies with the same midwife, Cath understood first-hand the benefits of true continuity of care. ‘Nothing compares to the relationship you have with a known midwife. You trust them implicitly and they in turn trust you and your body and support you in every way possible to achieve a positive and empowering birth.’ Cath feels honoured to be a part of the Coast Life Midwifery team and privileged to be
Karli Fogarty
Karli is a Registered Nurse and Midwife with combined experience spanning fourteen years. Karli commenced her nursing degree straight after finishing school and began work as a Registered Nurse on the Sunshine Coast at Nambour General Hospital in 2010. She completed her Midwifery training in 2014 at USC and continued to work in both maternity and paediatrics, finding the two roles married very well together. Karli also completed a Graduate Certificate in Acute Paediatric Nursing in 2015 prior to the birth of her first daughter.
“I really enjoyed both maternity and paediatrics for the ability to be able to support the whole family unit, which has carried through to my current midwifery practice. Centering the mother but also considering the formation and evolution of the family that is becoming.
During my first pregnancy I was fortunate enough to be able to choose continuity of care through what is now Coast Life Midwifery. I cannot express enough how valuable Continuity of Care was for me and my transition to parenthood as well for us becoming a family. Having only been a Midwife for a short time prior to experiencing the journey of pregnancy, birth and postpartum, I can wholeheartedly say that the care I experienced shaped my Midwifery philosophies and me as a Mother.”
After returning to work in 2016, Karli worked throughout the span of maternity services continuing to hone her midwifery skills. She completed training to become a Calmbirth® Registered Educator in 2016 and taught the program for about three years.
“I had my second daughter in 2019 at home, with the same Midwife I had with my first daughter through CLM. Her birth further cemented my belief in physiological birth and wanting to afford women the opportunity to choose their place of birth but also be nurtured and cared for while standing on the threshold into the transition of Motherhood.
With both of my girls, I had a smooth breastfeeding journey that I feel was down to my determination and the support I received. I am very passionate about supporting women and families postnatally and women into becoming a Mother ‘Matrescence.’
When I returned to work, I worked coordinating the Postnatal Home Visiting Service. In 2022 I completed a Graduate Certificate in Diagnostics and Prescribing and from this I have now obtained registration to work as an Endorsed Private Practice Midwife.
Aside from being a birth nerd, I love to spend time with my two daughters, and my husband Nathan. We also have two dogs, Shelby and Bruce. I like to sew, read and I love to cook. I am also currently learning to surf. I really believe in living a healthy, balanced lifestyle and I firmly believe in a holistic approach to pregnancy, birth and postpartum, honouring the woman and her experience as the cornerstone of her family. “
Rachel Bassett
Rachel is a Nurse, Midwife, and Childbirth Educator, who is passionate about empowering and supporting women during their pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Rachel believes in birth and believes in women, in their power, strength and abilities. Rachel has the privilege to witness this every day.
Rachel’s background is completing a Bachelor of Nursing in 2007, Diploma of Midwifery in 2013 working in a hospital setting for 14yrs before transitioning into private midwifery practice in 2020, pioneering home birthing services to Central West NSW with the establishment of private midwifery services. Rachel is also a certified Hypnobirthing Australia Practitioner.
Rachel believes pregnancy and birth is such an important time in a woman’s life. This is the time when a woman becomes a mother, and a baby is welcomed into the world. It should also be a time where the woman is treated with respect, support, care, and love. Nurtured and held through this transformative life event.
Rachel values personalised hands-on prenatal, birthing and post-natal support. Her goal is to give women and their family the attention and knowledge needed to make informed decisions about your pregnancy, labour and postnatal care. Rachel loves working with expecting mothers and their families throughout the experience of bringing new life into this beautiful world. Rachel’s favour safe, low-intervention methods, and do not rush the labour process.
Rachel’s passion is bringing midwifery care back into community settings and home birth. Her desire is for women to be well equipped with the knowledge and understanding of their birthing options, be involved in the decisions regarding their care and make informed choices based on current evidence. Creating positive and empowering birth experiences, so that we may have positive and empowering parents, partners, family, and friends.
When Rachel is not supporting women, you will find her spending time with her husband and 4 children enjoying the beach, fishing, and swimming. Rachel enjoys being active, cooking nutritious food for the family and reading.
Rachel looks forward to getting to know you and your family with the Coast Life Community.
Megan Maxwell-Smith
'Client's from March 2024'
Megan is a mother of three beautiful children, two out of the three are now adults and a Nannie to her grandson. Megan’s journey to becoming a midwife began shortly after having her third child. Megan wanted to be able to provide the care that she gratefully received throughout her pregnancies, labours and births; to others and so; here Megan’s journey began.
Megan completed a Bachelor of Midwifery in Christchurch, NZ in 2011. Since graduating Megan had the pleasure of working as a midwife providing continuity of care to many women and their families within Christchurch and the surrounding Selwyn district in NZ.
Megan said ‘Pregnancy and childbirth are exciting life events. I also understand that this time can also be an uncertain and challenging time for some. I believe being a midwife is a privilege and something that I am proud of being able to do. It is rewarding to work with women and their families and be able to guide, educate, support, and empower women on their own unique journeys. I respect that families have their own cultures and beliefs and aim to provide individualized care based on individual needs.’
Megan is a huge supporter of natural physiological birth but also recognize that some labour’s can become complex and plans/wishes need to change for the health of mother and or baby. Megan works with women and their families as well as other health professionals to ensure that you receive the best care for your individual needs.
Over Megan’s time as a midwife, she has supported low risk women to birth at a place of their choice whether that be at home, within a primary birthing unit or at the tertiary hospital.
Megan is excited and looking forward to beginning her journey in Australia as a midwife with Coast Life Midwifery at the end of Jan 2024.
Anna Clark
‘Watch this space, coming soon’
Our Admin Team
Samantha
Samantha is the Administration Manager and Bookkeeper for Coast Life Midwifery.
“I love my work as I am able to be around women and families experiencing their transition to being parents,” Sam said.
“My work is underpinned by my experiences from birthing my beautiful boys with an awesome midwife, followed by a passion for breastfeeding, the joy of my own mothering and ability to provide consumer support to women, while managing the administration of a busy practice…..” Sam said.
Renee
Renee joined our admin team in April 2020 with a small break inbetween. She is a doting mother to her 3 beautiful children.
She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in Health and Child and Family Education to our team.
She is very passionate about woman centred care and the continuity of care that Coast Life Midwifery offers to families and has experienced first hand the wonderful care from the very experienced Coast Life Midwifes during her own pregnancies and births.
“I feel very privileged to be surround by so many wonderful expecting families and to be there during their journey through parenthood”.
