Eastside Midwives Collective

22/04/2026

Birth trauma is more common than most people realise. 1 in 3 women experience it, and the majority do so in silence, with no dedicated time or space to process, heal or prepare for what comes next.
Reclaim Birth Journey was created for those women.
This is a two-day retreat held on the 30th & 31st May at a private home in the Dandenong Ranges, designed and led by Helen of and Mal of . Between them, they bring 46 years of experience supporting women through pregnancy, birth and beyond. This retreat is the next expression of that work.
It is not counselling. It is not a class. It is dedicated, uninterrupted time and space ~ for you ~ to heal, to prepare, and to leave with real tools and a personal plan.
Places are strictly limited to four women. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are provided both days.
Every participant leaves with a full resource kit, put together with care and designed to support your continued healing and self-practice at home. Inside you'll find a personalised workbook, a journal, guided meditation recordings, visualisation guides, printable self-reflection templates, meditation oils, incense and candles. Everything you need to keep going once the retreat is over. You'll also receive either a personal Birth Plan or a Healing Plan depending on where you are in your journey, and a free one-on-one follow-up call with Helen or Mal at one week post-retreat. Further support from either of us is available ongoing at your own pace and choosing.
This retreat is open to women who are currently pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or carrying the weight of a previous traumatic birth experience. Women only. Open to those outside Melbourne.
Investment is $1,500 per person. A $300 deposit secures your place.
To find out if this is right for you, reach out via the link in bio or send us a direct message. We'll have a relaxed conversation first — no pressure, no obligation.
We hear you. We see you. You're not alone.
DM us anytime
Eastside Midwives x Organic Midwifery

22/04/2026

https://youtu.be/iKJtpIz4KMs?si=sLtlbuAHslGRDWMA
The Movie Birth Time. A sad, but very real look at Australias maternity services.

47 likes, 1 comment. "Birth Time: the documentary - AWARD TRAILER (90 seconds)"

07/04/2026

Birth trauma is more common than most people realise. 1 in 3 women experience it, and the majority do so in silence, with no dedicated time or space to process, heal or prepare for what comes next.
Reclaim Birth Journey was created for those women.
This is a two-day retreat held on the 30th & 31st May at a private home in the Dandenong Ranges, designed and led by Helen of and Mal of . Between them, they bring 46 years of experience supporting women through pregnancy, birth and beyond. This retreat is the next expression of that work.
It is not counselling. It is not a class. It is dedicated, uninterrupted time and space ~ for you ~ to heal, to prepare, and to leave with real tools and a personal plan.
Places are strictly limited to four women. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are provided both days.
Every participant leaves with a full resource kit, personal gifts, put together with care and designed to support your continued healing and self-practice at home. Inside you’ll find a personalised workbook, a journal, guided meditation recordings, visualisation guides, printable self-reflection templates, meditation oils, incense and candles. Everything you need to keep going once the retreat is over. You’ll also receive either a personal Birth Plan or a Healing Plan depending on where you are in your journey, and a free one-on-one follow-up call with Helen or Mal at one week post-retreat. Further support from either of us is available ongoing at your own pace and choosing.
This retreat is open to women who are currently pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or carrying the weight of a previous traumatic birth experience. Women only. Open to those outside Melbourne.
Investment is $1,500 per person. A $300 deposit secures your place.
To find out if this is right for you, reach out via the link in bio or send us a direct message. We’ll have a relaxed conversation first — no pressure, no obligation.
We hear you. We see you. You’re not alone.
DM us anytime
Eastside Midwives x Organic Midwifery

07/04/2026

A client of mine is very wholesome when it comes to her health. She shared this with me and happy to share it with you all. A morning potion to help boost your breastmilk supply and also fills up a breastfeeding mothers tummy for the whole morning. ❤️. Nourishing golden lactation bowl
A nourishing, warming breakfast bowl that feels indulgent but works hard. Anti-inflammatory, hormone-supporting, and breastmilk boosting.

INGREDIENTS
• 0.5 cups rolled oats
• 1 tablespoons chia seeds
• 0.5 teaspoons moringa powder
• 0.3 teaspoons turmeric
• 0.3 teaspoons cardamom
• 1 pinch black pepper
• 1 pinch sea salt
• 1 tablespoons whey protein powder
• 1 cups full-fat milk, cow or oat
• 0.5 pieces apple, finely grated
• 1 teaspoons raw honey
• 1 teaspoons butter or ghee

STEPS
1. Combine dry ingredients: In a small saucepan combine 0.5 cups rolled oats, 1 tablespoons chia seeds, 0.5 teaspoons moringa powder, 0.3 teaspoons turmeric, 0.3 teaspoons cardamom, 1 pinch black pepper, and 1 pinch sea salt. Stir well so the spices are evenly distributed through the oats.
2. Add milk and cook: Pour in 1 cups full-fat milk, cow or coconut and stir to combine. Place over medium-low heat and cook, stirring regularly, for 4–5 minutes until thick and creamy. Add a splash more milk if you prefer it looser.
3. Add protein and butter: Remove from heat. Stir through 1 tablespoons whey protein powder and 1 teaspoons butter or ghee until both are fully incorporated. The residual heat does the work — no need to return to the stove.
4. Finish and serve: Fold through 0.5 pieces apple, finely grated grated apple. Spoon into a bowl and drizzle 1 teaspoons raw honey honey over the top. Always add honey after cooking, never into the heat. Eat immediately while warm.

NOTES
The black pepper is essential — it activates the curcumin in turmeric by up to 2000%, making the anti-inflammatory effect actually work. Always stir honey in off the heat or after cooking as heating destroys its beneficial enzymes and is considered harmful in Ayurveda.

01/04/2026

Something is coming.

Two midwives. One shared vision. And a combined 46 years of experience that has quietly been building toward this.
Helen of Eastside Midwives and Mal of Organic Midwifery have been working together behind the scenes on something we are genuinely excited to share with you very soon.
It is for those that felt it didn’t go to plan. It is intimate. It is unlike anything we have offered before.
If you have ever felt unheard after a birth experience, if you are preparing for what is ahead and want to do it differently, or if you are simply ready to dedicate some time to yourself - watch this space.
Details coming very soon.
Feel free to DM us if you just can’t wait.

Eastside Midwives x Organic Midwifery

11/03/2026

One spot left for 29th March Hypnobirthing class. Come join us 🤗. For more info call Helen 0425770316.

10/03/2026

Here at Eastside Midwives Collective we offer consults with you via Zoom. From anywhere in Australia !! Or anywhere in the world !! We are happy to help out with pregnancy, Lactation, Hypnobirthing Classes, Sleep and Settling for your babies, Naturopathy, Counselling. You name it !! All Via Zoom !! Please either email or FB message. All inquiries are welcome :) www.eastsidemidwives.com

04/03/2026

Happy International IBCLC (Lactation Consultant) Day !!! To all of the wonderful Babys Ive worked with and helped them receive the nutrition to grow into wonderful healthy humans ..... Happy Day to you all. What a wonderful job i have, trust me, I never take it for granted 🙂
Today on International IBCLC Day, I got to spend the day doing x3 homevisits and a phoncall, all with the most delightful mothers and babys. All little boys, who's mothers are keen to pursue breastfeeding even though sometimes its just really really hard !! Thankyou to all who i work with. Its such a privilege to be able to give the reassurance and assistance !! 🙂

22/02/2026

A day of talking all things birth ❤️. ™️

19/02/2026

Want better sleep tonight?
Start this morning ☀️

For pre-schoolers, daytime habits are one of the biggest predictors of night sleep — as powerful as your bedtime routines.

Here’s why:
🌞 Morning daylight helps set your child’s body clock for the entire day
🏃‍♂️ Active play builds sleep pressure (the drive to sleep)
🌿 Outdoor movement supports emotional regulation and nervous system calm

When kids don’t move enough or don’t get enough natural light, their bodies may simply not be “ready” for sleep — no matter how calm bedtime is.

This doesn’t have to mean structured exercise.
It can mean:
• free play
• climbing, running, digging
• just getting outside (even briefly!)

Sometimes the most effective sleep strategy isn’t another bedtime tweak - it’s permission to let your child move more during the day.

👉🏻 Save this as a gentle reminder for tomorrow.
👉🏻 Follow for a deeper dive into sleep and nutrition with sarahmegens Sleep OT and kerrieanne.crosby.naturopath

13/02/2026

Over-tired doesn’t always look sleepy.

In pre-schoolers, it often looks like:
• hyperactivity
• emotional meltdowns
• clinginess or constant demands
• destructive or chaotic play
• “I’m NOT tired!” energy at bedtime

And yes — it can be incredibly hard to live with.

Many parents assume these behaviours mean their child needs less sleep, when often it’s the opposite. An overtired nervous system struggles to switch off, even when the body desperately needs rest.

If evenings feel like a battle in your house, please hear this:

💜 This is partly biological
💜 It doesn’t have to stay this way
💜 Bedtime will get easier

The first step is understanding why sleep feels so hard right now.

Knowledge around the biology of sleep will put you in the best place to implement changes that make the biggest difference.

Next week: how sleep starts in the brain, and on the plate.

Follow for more sleep tips!
sarahmegens Sleep OT

10/02/2026

Ever had a child who is exhausted… but absolutely will not sleep? 😵‍💫

You’re not imagining it — and you’re not doing anything wrong.
For pre-schoolers (and the rest of us!), sleepiness comes from two biological systems working together:

🕰 Circadian rhythm – their internal body clock that responds to light and dark
🔋 Sleep pressure – the “tired tank” that fills up the longer they’re awake

When one (or both) of these are out of sync, kids can look wired, hyperactive, emotional, or suddenly full of bedtime energy — even though they desperately need sleep.

This is why:
• Late naps can delay bedtime
• Too much evening light (screens) can make sleep harder
• Busy days often lead to better nights

Sleep isn’t just about routines — it’s about biology. And once you understand that, things start to make a lot more sense 💛

👉 Save this if bedtime feels confusing right now. Follow for more sleep tips this month!

kerrieanne.crosby.naturopath
sarahmegens Sleep OT