In this special collaborative episode of Australian VBAC Stories and The Motherwhelm, Bronwyn is joined by fellow co-hosts Katelyn Comerford, President of Homebirth NSW and Coordinator of Homebirth Australia, and Georgia Slee, birth and postpartum doula, to discuss an urgent issue threatening access to privately supported homebirth in Australia.

From 1 January 2027, an existing exemption from professional indemnity insurance requirements for privately practising midwives attending homebirths is due to expire. However, the insurance product currently available is not accessible to non-endorsed midwives, many of whom provide essential support as second midwives at homebirths.

Without an appropriate and affordable insurance solution, privately practising midwives may be unable to continue offering homebirth services, leaving pregnant women and families with fewer maternity care options.

Together, Bronwyn, Katelyn, and Georgia explain how privately supported homebirth works, what professional indemnity insurance is, and why the current arrangements could have far-reaching consequences for midwives and birthing families, particularly those living in rural and regional Australia.

They discuss the importance of continuity of midwifery care, the experiences of women navigating previous birth trauma, and concerns that restricting access to professionally supported homebirth could lead some women to consider giving birth without a registered health professional present.

The conversation explores the broader implications for informed consent, bodily autonomy, and maternity care, asking why the ability to make meaningful choices about birth matters to all women, regardless of where or how they choose to give birth.

Katelyn also outlines the advocacy work being undertaken by Homebirth NSW and Homebirth Australia, including proposed solutions to the insurance issue and plans for the Grandmother of All Rallies in Canberra, alongside nationwide rallies scheduled for Saturday 21 November 2026.

Resources and further information:

Homebirth Australia: https://www.homebirthaustralia.org/

Homebirth NSW: https://www.homebirthnsw.org.au/

Information about the Grandmother of All Rallies, nationwide rallies and current advocacy initiatives can be found through Homebirth Australia's official channels.

Every woman deserves access to informed, respectful, and appropriate maternity care. This conversation explores what happens when those choices are placed at risk.