Romy Renzow
She/Her
Endorsed Midwife & Birth Educator
Mother to Ira and Miri
I believe that the way you are treated during your pregnancy, birth and the first 6 weeks post-birth, deeply impacts the trajectory of your families lives and wellbeing. It's been my privilege to experience hundreds of birth journeys. I have seen and experienced how great healing and transformation comes from being well supported, and well versed in listening to your body and intuition. Contrary to modern birthing culture, birth can be ecstatic, and parenting can be so deeply fulfilling. The transition that occurs in and around birth is massive, understanding the systems, feeling safe and knowing what you are capable of, is key.
I have had a broad range of experiences working with birthing people and families over the past 15 years. Public and private hospitals, public and private home birth services, case-load care and as an educator and parent myself.
I am dedicated to reducing trauma in pregnancy, birth and parenting through education and advocacy. My commitment is to resource people and families to be embodied, intuitive and autonomous as they move through parenthood.
I live on the sacred and unceeded lands of the Wadawarrung people on the surf coast Victoria. My family migrated from the Netherlands and Germany and I was raised on Wurundjeri country in Naarm. I am a university educated, able bodied, cis-gendered white woman.
My teaching is largely informed by the families who have shared the most powerful and vulnerable moments of their life, deepest thanks to you all. Acknowledgement and deep gratitude also to my unofficial teachers on this journey, midwife Monika Zdyb, midwife Jess Permezel, facilitator Jo Buick, teacher and therapist Maryanne Sea, doula Sunni Hart, support service Possums Education, educators Lael Stone and Dr Ruth De Souza and authors Adrienne Marie Brown, Robin Grille, Tyson Yunkaporta and Rachel Reed. This country holds 65,000+ years of birthing wisdom, I am committed to right relationship with country and listening to indigenous knowledge as the way forward. I am a perpetual student in the birth space and I can’t wait to share and learn together.
SERVICES:
Private in-home childbirth/parenting education
I offer continuity of midwifery care, providing antenatal, labour and birth and postnatal care.
I facilitate workshops offered by BirthSpace
I provide midwifery consultation
photo: Elisenda Sofia
Shari Ahern
She/Her
Midwife, Sexual Health Nurse & Birth Educator
Mother to Lotte and Arlo
Shari has worked predominantly in public health services over the past 12 years in Naarm. She has a postgraduate certificate in sexual and reproductive health, and a Masters of Public Health in process. She has big dreams for the future but is trying to live in the moment.
Shari is passionate about equity in healthcare, bodily autonomy and emotional safety. Shari has cared for many pregnant and labouring people and feels strongly that understanding, along with trust in the body’s processes, gives pregnant and birthing women/people and their support people great power. Shari’s love for childbirth education comes from seeing a transformation in how people approach labour and early parenting from fear to preparedness, through an awareness of their own innate strength, abilities and rights.
Her biggest achievement and what she is most proud of, is growing and birthing two pretty great humans; the experience was challenging in unexpected ways and immeasurably rewarding. Shari’s positive journey into parenthood was made possible by unwavering support from her partner, mama and midwives and a strong belief and trust in herself and her abilities.
Shari loves travelling, eating with friends, belly laughs and having dance parties in her lounge room with her kiddies. She is super excited to have the opportunity to work with you.
SERVICES:
BirthSpace workshop facilitator
Individual midwifery consultations
Private in-home childbirth/parenting education
Jess Permezel
She/They
Midwife, Birth Educator and Researcher
Mother to Seb and Milo
I am a queer midwife, childbirth educator and parent to two excellent school-age kids. I am committed to trauma-informed, accessible public healthcare and to promoting perinatal care that is holistic and culturally competent. I currently work clinically and as a research midwife.
SERVICES:
BirthSpace workshop facilitator
Individual midwifery consultations
Private in-home childbirth/parenting education