For the past few years Emma has mostly seen obstetric patients and delivers babies at SJOG Bendigo. She is proud to be part of the team providing extraordinary care to the families who birth there. Together, they work to provide women with the birth experiences they dream of, whilst keeping the mother and baby safe. This may mean delivering in a dimmed room to soft music, using hypnobirthing techniques or a maternal request elective caesarean and everything in between. Because she sees her patients at least 10 times during pregnancy, Emma is very aware of each patient’s individual needs, plans and wishes.

She enjoys working with the experienced midwives at SJOG and spends time with them socially. Emma works directly with the other SJOG specialists including cardiologists, obstetric physicians, paediatricians, anaesthetists and surgeons to provide patients with the very best care. SJOG also provides antenatal education, physio and lactation consultants to all and dietitian and diabetic educator as needed. SJOG has an intensive care unit for mothers if needed.

Emma is particularly interested in caring for high-risk pregnancies, which she has had special training in. She sees a lot of ladies with diabetes, high blood pressure or other medical conditions which make pregnancy more complicated. She also places importance on mental health during and after pregnancy. Emma also enjoys guiding women through low-risk pregnancies and deliveries. You never know when a complication may arise needing clear, frank explanation or urgent assistance.

Emma occasionally does a delivery at Bendigo Health if it is known prior to delivery that the baby will be needing the bigger nursery, for example if the baby is coming early and the mother has diabetes. She continues to care for her private patients just the same, advocating fiercely for them. We aim to transfer mother and baby back to SJOG as soon as possible. Bendigo Health has financial disincentives in place for privately insured patients to plan to deliver there.