For Gold Coast Health midwife Ebeth Brown, welcoming her second child was more than a personal milestone, it was a full-circle moment.
With more than a decade of experience as a midwife, most spent within the Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) continuity of care model, Ebeth recently gave birth to her daughter Bronte, supported by the same model she advocates for every day.
Bronte, now three weeks old, joins big brother Albie, who turns four in April, completing their family of four.
While both births were supported through MGP, Ebeth’s second experience carried special meaning.
“After Albie was born, I had some pretty big complications, so I was really keen to have a known midwife again and someone who had a deep understanding of my journey and what could have gone better the first time,” she said.
That care came from Monique French and Faye Duke - colleagues Ebeth has known since she first started at Gold Coast Health and worked closely with since 2020.
“It was so special to have two of my MGP colleagues and friends who I trust so implicitly look after me during the birth,” Ebeth said.
Interestingly, Ebeth’s first birth experience had highlighted an unexpected challenge.
“One of the most startling things for me was that being a midwife was actually quite inhibitory because it makes it harder to just be a mum and trust your intuition,” she said.
“This time, I was already aware of that, and it became a really beautiful redemption journey.”
Going even further, Ebeth describes Bronte’s birth as empowering and deeply healing.
“One of the things we talk about as midwives is that when women have positive births, they make positive mothers,” she said.
“I truly feel that and had the most phenomenal birth.”
Adding to the significance, Ebeth gave birth in the same room she had Albie - this time experiencing a water birth.
“My labour was only about three hours long, and then we were home with my son by dinner time,” she said.
“I remember saying to my husband, ‘That’s what birth can be and that’s everything I empower women to have.’
“To experience that myself was incredibly special.”
For Monique French, a midwife with Gold Coast Health for 11 years and part of MGP for nearly six, supporting Ebeth was both an honour and a responsibility.
“We’ve worked together for a long time and then became mum friends,” Monique explained.
“I knew there were parts of her first birth that weren’t what she wanted, so it was such an honour to be chosen to support her this time.”
Monique said the continuity of care model allowed them to individualise Ebeth’s care in a way that felt seamless on the day.
“With second babies, you carry a lot from the first experience,” she said.
“We did a lot of debriefing, and because we knew her so well, when she walked in we didn’t need to have those conversations again and disrupt the birthing process - we just did the things she wanted, and baby made a beautiful entrance.”
While caring for a colleague can add pressure, Monique said she had complete confidence in the service.
“Our model is the gold standard for a reason,” she said.
“Midwives have babies too, and there’s no one else I’d rather they come to.”
Fellow midwife Faye Duke, who has nine years’ experience, said being part of Ebeth’s birth was one of the most moving experiences of her career.
“I saw the hurdles she had to overcome, so to be there this time for what was an incredibly healing birth was a privilege.”
For Faye, the continuity of care model is what makes moments like this possible.
“I’ve supported women through up to four births in some cases,” she said.
“It’s such a fulfilling role.”
Ebeth said experiencing MGP as a patient has only strengthened her passion for the work she does.
“One of the things I’m really proud of is that there’s very little I’d do differently as a midwife after having my children,” she said.
“For me, it’s about continuing the work I’m already so passionate about.”
As Ebeth takes a break to spend time with her family and newborn daughter and Monique also prepares to take maternity leave, the MGP model remains available to support expectant mothers across the Gold Coast.
You can find out more about MGP here.
