Presentor
Vicki Hobbs
Vicki is a multi-award-winning childbirth educator, hypnobirthing practitioner, birth and postpartum doula, and remedial massage therapist specialising in pregnancy massage. Since launching her business in 2004, Vicki has drawn on evidence, tradition and lived experience to support women’s mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. She is the founder and a trainer at the Doula Training Academy in Perth, Western Australia, where she equips emerging and practising doulas with practical skills, business know-how and a community that lasts beyond graduation. Vicki’s approach is steady, respectful and outcomes-focused: clear information, useful tools and continuity of support. Through the Academy’s ongoing learning hub, she fosters collaboration over competition and champions high-quality doula care throughout Australia.
Stronger Together:
Creating Balance Between Midwifery and Doula Care
Birth is not just a physical event, it is an emotional, psychological and deeply transformative experience. When midwives and doulas work together in synergy, women and their families receive holistic care that balances clinical expertise with emotional, physical and informational support. Yet too often, misunderstandings or professional tension can overshadow the immense benefits of collaboration.
In this presentation, Vicki Hobbs, multi-award-winning educator, doula, hypnobirthing practitioner, and founder of the Doula Training Academy will explore how midwives and doulas can complement one another’s roles rather than compete. Drawing on two decades of experience supporting families, training doulas, and collaborating with maternity care providers, Vicki will share practical strategies for building trust, fostering mutual respect, and centring the woman as the leader of her birth experience.
Attendees will walk away with:
- A deeper understanding of the distinct but complementary roles of midwives and doulas.
- Communication tools for strengthening professional relationships.
- Insight into how collaborative care reduces birth trauma and improves outcomes.
- A vision of what true harmony in birth work can look like.
At the heart of this talk is the reminder that doulas and midwives must resist creating drama or disharmony within the birth space. Instead, our responsibility is to cultivate calm, respect and unity, while also standing strong as advocates for women, ensuring that their voices, rights and choices remain central throughout their birthing journey.