The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
The biggest breakthrough has been moving from a project-based, one-person operation to a professional team through the partnership of Alex and the development of the BirthCo Advocacy Program.
The addition of not only providing Australian families with choices to local support services via the online directory, we love that we’re now also supporting the maternity workforce through a network that problem solves industry-related issues, such as burn out, mental health concerns and job satisfaction.
Recent feedback from the current group of BirthCo Advocates has indicated how essential and beneficial this online network has been.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
With lots of help! We are fortunate that the majority of the work we do can be done remotely and at any time of day. A team approach through the growing BirthCo Advocates Program is particularly helpful, supporting us to connect and follow up with all of the recommendations we receive for health professionals and services for around the country.
We have incredible husbands too, but the juggle is tough sometimes, especially as we’re both health professionals outside of BirthCo and mothers who value and prioritise our families’ commitments and needs.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
You name it, we’ve overcome it.
Initially, we had continual funding challenges, before being able to source seed funding and in-kind donations. More recently, the challenges that COVID19 imposed globally were particularly relevant to birthing families who battled with government restrictions imposing sanctions on their types of medical care and limiting their access to support.
Meg is a proud Darug Indigneous woman, traditionally from New South Wales. She is a mother to four children, and holds qualifications, degrees and is trained in Political Science, Public Health, Medicine, and Aboriginal Health. She is also a Doula, and her goal is to provide access to choice of care for birthing families in Australia. She is particularly committed to birthing on country practices and policies for Indigenous mothers.
Alex is a passionate mother, Chiropractor, Fitness Trainer and business owner. She has completed several degrees and qualifications and has over ten years of clinical experience supporting pregnant and postpartum women to function optimally throughout their parenting journey. She is a fierce advocate for better perinatal education and care, and for women to have access to a positive, evidence-based birthing and parenting experience.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The pros are seeing everything come to fruition and seeing the change in outcomes for families. Every time we connect with a new listing and hear their story, their passion for helping women and families and their own goals reinforces our drive and vision.
The cons are the the constant juggling between motherhood, family commitments and growing our business.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
BirthCo‘s long-term vision is to create a single platform where all health professionals, services and supports across the maternal health space can be found nationally …like a yellow pages, but for birth support services. We envision being a place that all families know of and can utilise to improve their perinatal experience.
We will also continue to grow the BirthCo Advocacy Program to support individuals working in the maternity and birth sector.
To apply to join the directory or register your interest in the advocacy program, contact the team at hello@birthco.com.au.
Visit the BirthCo website to find out more, and join their communities on Facebook and Instagram.
