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.
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 able to offer this model of care to women and their families.
Megan Maxwell-Smith
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
Anna is a Registered Midwife who completed her midwifery degree in New Zealand in 2018.
Since becoming a midwife, Anna has always worked as a community midwife providing women-centred and individualised continuity of care.
Anna is passionate about Women’s Health and believes that pregnancy, birth and parenthood are incredibly special times in people’s lives. Anna has a caring and understanding personality and feels honoured to be part of this special journey. She says: “It is very important for me to provide compassionate, individualised, and skilled care and support women to birth wherever they feel most comfortable and safe. I strongly believe that pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period are normal, “low-risk” events for most women, however, I also know that some women start their pregnancies with pre-existing health conditions and some may develop health problems during pregnancy. I am passionate in supporting women and families through their journeys into parenthood and building an empowering partnership between the woman, family and the midwife”.
Anna will ensure you will get all necessary information enabling you to make informed choices about your care provision. She is experienced in caring for you in a home-and hospital setting and will always aim for you to have an empowering and joyous maternity experience.
Anna was born in Poland, grew up in Germany and has spent many years living in the UK and New Zealand. She is married and a mother of two school-aged children. She spends all her spare time with her family or exercising. Anna moved to the Sunshine Coast in early 2024. She loves the outdoors, camping and tramping and is very excited to explore the Sunshine Coast and Australia.
Karli Fogarty
Karli is a Registered Midwife and Nurse with combined experience spanning fourteen years, commencing work at Coast Life Midwifery in April 2023.
Karli started work as 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. 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 full scope of maternity services continuing to consolidate 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 Karli returned to work, she coordinated the Postnatal Home Visiting Service at SCUH. In 2022 Karli completed a Graduate Certificate in Diagnostics and Prescribing and from this she has now obtained registration to work as an Endorsed Private Practice Midwife.
Aside from being a birth nerd, Karli loves to spend time with her two daughters, and her husband Nathan. They also have two dogs, Shelby and Bruce. Karli likes to sew, read and loves to cook. Karli is currently learning to surf. She really believe in living a healthy, balanced lifestyle and firmly believes in a holistic approach to pregnancy, birth and postpartum, honouring the woman and her experience as the cornerstone of her family.
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”.
Courtney
Courtney has joined Coast Life Midwifery as a part of the Administration team. Courtney enjoys being a part of the team as it is a welcoming, calm and women-centered space. Outside of supporting our Midwives, Courtney is a Holistic Counsellor and is passionate about helping others and supporting women through all kinds of experiences.
“I find myself with a genuine care for everyone I come into connection with and am always focussed on making people’s experiences comfortable and reassured, easing their stresses and worries.”
Through her Counselling and Administration Support at Coast Life, Courtney is passionate about offering genuine help and care to women. Whether this be supporting their emotional wellbeing, helping our midwives, and extending her care to the clients we have through our doors making them feel comfortable and welcome when seeing midwives during their pregnancy journey.
Coast Life Midwifery is a wonderful place to be a part of, with such a warm and gentle energy throughout. The Team, Clients and Midwives really do make this a special place to be a part of.
Georgia
Georgia joined the Admin team at Coast Life Midwifery in late 2024, bringing her background in Naturopathy and a deep passion for women’s health and wellbeing. After taking a break from clinical work, Georgia was thrilled to return to a field where she could once again contribute to a supportive environment for women, by joining a team of women dedicated to empowering others.
With years of experience as a Naturopath, Georgia specialised in fertility, preconception care, pregnancy, and postpartum support. She worked closely with medical specialists to integrate natural health solutions, focusing on enhancing nutrition, mental, and emotional wellbeing, while helping women manage and alleviate pregnancy-related symptoms. Georgia also taught pregnancy yoga, creating a safe, nurturing space where mums-to-be could connect with their bodies, their babies, and other women on the same journey.
Georgia’s dedication to holistic health and her love for supporting women through every stage of their reproductive journey perfectly align with the values of Coast Life Midwifery. She is excited to continue playing a part in helping women feel empowered, informed, and supported in their unique experiences.
Georgia joined the Admin team at Coast Life Midwifery in late 2024, bringing her background in Naturopathy and a deep passion for women’s health and wellbeing. After taking a break from clinical work, Georgia was thrilled to return to a field where she could once again contribute to a supportive environment for women, by joining a team of women dedicated to empowering others.
With years of experience as a Naturopath, Georgia specialized in fertility, preconception care, pregnancy, and postpartum support. She worked closely with medical specialists to integrate natural health solutions, focusing on enhancing nutrition, mental, and emotional wellbeing, while helping women manage and alleviate pregnancy-related symptoms. Georgia also taught pregnancy yoga, creating a safe, nurturing space where mums-to-be could connect with their bodies, their babies, and other women on the same journey.
Georgia’s dedication to holistic health and her love for supporting women through every stage of their reproductive journey perfectly align with the values of Coast Life Midwifery. She is excited to continue playing a part in helping women feel empowered, informed, and supported in their unique experiences.
