She/Her
Endorsed Midwife, Birth Educator & Researcher
Mother to Ira and Miri

I live on the unceeded lands of the Wadawarrung people on the surf coast in Victoria. My family migrated from the Netherlands and Germany and I grew up on sacred Wurundjeri and Larrakia country.

I believe that the way you are supported during your pregnancy, birth and the first 6 weeks post-birth, deeply impacts the trajectory of your families lives and wellbeing. The transition that occurs in and around birth is massive, understanding the systems, feeling supported 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 currently work in a public hospital researching trauma, shame and violence informed care, working in birth suite and postnatal wards and providing birth trauma debriefing.

I am dedicated to reducing trauma in pregnancy, birth and parenting through education and advocacy.

My teaching is largely informed by the families who have shared the most powerful and vulnerable moments of their life. Acknowledgement and deep gratitude also to my unofficial teachers on this journey, midwife Monika Zdyb, midwife Jess Permezel, facilitators Leah Manaema Avene, 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 can’t wait to share and learn together.

Services

  • Private in-home childbirth/parenting education

  • Continuity midwifery care, providing antenatal and postnatal care

  • Facilitation of workshops offered by BirthSpace

  • Counselling- birth trauma debriefing

  • Midwifery consultation

Romy Renzow

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

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

Jess Permezel