Josie Hipwell – Birth, Postpartum and Loss Doula in Melbourne
Radiant Birth Owner | Birth Educator | Birth Bodyworker | Pronouns: she/her
Based in Naarm, Melbourne. Supporting families across Melbourne’s North, North West and Inner North.
About
Hi, I’m Josie. I’m a mother of two, a Birth and Postpartum Doula in Melbourne, and the owner of Radiant Birth. I currently focus on birth education, private antenatal classes and postpartum support across Melbourne while I pause taking on birth attendance clients until January 2027.
I am an old soul who feels most at home in nature and in creative spaces. I was raised by a village, and I know deeply that when mothers are supported well, they thrive. I love to laugh, and I love to go deep. I am someone who can sit with you in both the lightness and the dark. This is my life’s work.
As a Birth Doula in Melbourne, my work has always centred on informed, evidence based preparation and sovereign decision making. At present, I offer private birth education, antenatal classes and comprehensive pregnancy preparation designed to help you feel confident, calm and clear as you approach labour and postpartum.
Through private in home birth education sessions and weekend antenatal workshops in Melbourne, I support women and birthing people to understand:
• The physiology of birth and the nervous system
• Hormones, pain and oxytocin
• Comfort techniques and partner support tools
• Hospital birth preparation and informed consent
• Postpartum recovery and early parenting foundations
Birth education is powerful. When you understand how birth works, fear softens and confidence grows. My approach blends modern research with traditional wisdom, giving you practical tools without overwhelm.
Alongside birth education and antenatal preparation, I also offer postpartum doula support in Melbourne, helping families navigate recovery, feeding, sleep and the emotional landscape of new parenthood with steadiness and care.
My philosophy is rooted in sovereignty. I believe every person deserves autonomy over their body and their birth experience. Whether through antenatal classes, private birth education or postpartum support, my role is to provide clear information, compassionate presence and grounded preparation.
If you are searching for a Birth Doula in Melbourne, private antenatal classes or personalised birth education, I would love to support you in preparing for this profound transition.
Training, Qualifications, Professional and Lived Experience
As a Birth and Postpartum Doula in Melbourne and Birth Educator, my work is grounded in extensive training across physiology, trauma informed care, bodywork and perinatal mental health.
Doula Training
• Birth and Postpartum Doula – Australian Doula College, now Womb to Tomb Foundation
• End of Life Doula – Australian Doula College, now Womb to Tomb Foundation
Birth Education and Debriefing
• Birthmapping – Catherine Bell
• The Art of Birth Debriefing – Bernadette Lack and Lael Stone
• Spinning Babies Two Day Workshop – Fiona Hallinan
Bodywork and Physical Preparation
• Internal Pelvic Release Work – Fiona Hallinan
• Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist – Sarah Duvall CES
Perinatal and Postpartum Specialisation
• Feeding and Infant Sleep – Possums Australia
• Perinatal Mental Health
• Postpartum Nutrition
• Trauma Informed Care
Professional Memberships and Connections
• Rachel Reed Collective
• Doula Network Australia
• Not Another Onsie
Education
• Bachelor of Communications – Griffith University
Birth Support Services
Birth Support with 1:1 Birth preparation and support
Sliding Scale Costing - Tier 1 $2200 (Subsidised Fee) / Tier 2 (Standard Fee) $2500 / Tier 3 (Upper Fee) $3300
Support from the time of confirmed booking, including unlimited text, email, and voice message communication.
2 x antenatal sessions covering:
What is important to you.
How you want your birth to look and feel.
Creation of an individualised birth map for multiple birth pathways.
Labour and birth support (remote and/or in-person), tailored to individual needs, including support for existing siblings if required.
On-call from 38 weeks, with a backup doula available.
Access to tools, resources, books, and Directory.
Research, preparation, and collection of information and resources specific to your needs.
Connections to relevant services and professionals, such as bodyworkers and breastfeeding support.
Postpartum Inclusions
The New Bub Box from Just Nourish, delivered at a time of your choosing.
A postpartum check-in, including:
Birth debriefing.
Pampering and support, up to 6 weeks post-birth (remote or in-person).
A snack included at this visit.
Birth Support with Group Birth and Postpartum Preparation
Sliding Scale Costing - Tier 1 $2400 (subsidised Fee) / Tier 2 (Standard Fee) $2900 / Tier 3 (Upper Fee) $3800
Support from the time of confirmed booking, including unlimited text, email, and voice message communication.
A ticket for you and a support person to both upcoming Radiant Birth Preparation Workshop and Postpartum Workshop, if the timing is not right with available courses see the Private Birth Education option for equivalent education and preparation.
2 visits of antenatal preparation covering:
What is important to you.
How you want your birth to look and feel.
Creation of an individualised birth map for multiple birth pathways.
Labour and birth support (remote and/or in-person), tailored to individual needs, including support for existing siblings if required.
On-call from 38 weeks, with a backup doula available.
Access to tools, resources, books, and Directory.
Research, preparation, and collection of information and resources specific to your needs.
Connections to relevant services and professionals, such as bodyworkers and breastfeeding support.
Postpartum Inclusions
The New Bub Box from Just Nourish, delivered at a time of your choosing.
A postpartum check-in, including:
Birth debriefing.
Pampering and support, up to 6 weeks post-birth (remote or in-person).
A snack included at this visit.
Birth Support with Private Birth and Postpartum Education and Preparation
Sliding Scale Costing - Tier 1 (Subsidised) $2600 / Tier 2 (Standard) $3200 / Tier 3 (Upper Fee) $4200
Support from the time of confirmed booking, including unlimited text, email, and voice message communication.
A ticket for you and a support person to our Postpartum Workshop
4 x antenatal sessions covering:
Birth education
What is important to you for your birth and postpartum
How you want your birth and postpartum to look and feel
Creation of an individualised birth map for multiple birth pathways.
Labour and birth support (remote and/or in-person), tailored to individual needs, including support for existing siblings if required.
On-call from 38 weeks, with a backup doula available.
Access to tools, resources, books, and Directory.
Research, preparation, and collection of information and resources specific to your needs.
Connections to relevant services and professionals, such as bodyworkers and breastfeeding support.
Postpartum Inclusions
The New Bub Box from Just Nourish, delivered at a time of your choosing.
A postpartum check-in, including:
Birth debriefing.
Pampering and support, up to 6 weeks post-birth (remote or in-person).
A snack included at this visit.
Birth Education and Postpartum Support Services
Postpartum Support
Sliding Scale Costing - Tier 1 $1350 (Subsidised Fee) / Tier 2 (Standard Fee) $1650 / Tier 3 (Upper Fee) $2150
90 minute antenatal postpartum planning session online or in person
3 x 3 hour visits in your home
The New Bub Box from Just Nourish, delivered at a time of your choosing.
Includes; one meal and one snack made during each visit.
Virtual support through WhatsApp from the time you pay deposit until the final postpartum session.
All of the RB Community inclusions, including a free Radiant Birth Book, discounts , community connection and more.
Pregnancy and Postpartum Support with Group Birth and Postpartum Preparation
Sliding Scale Costing - Tier 1 $2400 (subsidised Fee) / Tier 2 (Standard Fee) $2900 / Tier 3 (Upper Fee) $3800
Support from the time of confirmed booking, including unlimited text, email, and voice message communication.
A ticket for you and a support person to both upcoming Radiant Birth Preparation Workshop and Postpartum Workshop, if the timing is not right with available courses see the Private Birth Education option for equivalent education and preparation.
3 x 1.5 hrs visits of antenatal preparation covering:
What is important to you.
How you want your birth to look and feel.
Creation of an individualised birth map for multiple birth pathways.
Remote labour and birth support (remote and/or in-person), tailored to individual needs.
Access to tools, resources, books, and Directory. Research, preparation, and collection of information and resources specific to your needs. Connections to relevant services and professionals, such as bodyworkers and breastfeeding support.
Postpartum Inclusions
The New Bub Box from Just Nourish, delivered at a time of your choosing.
5 x 3 hour postpartum support sessions, including:
Birth debriefing.
Pampering and support, up to 6 weeks post-birth (remote or in-person).
A snack included at this visit.
Areas Served
I regularly support families in Brunswick, Coburg, Northcote, Thornbury, Fitzroy, Carlton, Pascoe Vale, Moonee Ponds, Essendon, Strathmore, Glenroy, Reservoir, Preston, Ivanhoe, Heidelberg, Kensington and surrounding suburbs. I also travel across Greater Melbourne by arrangement.
Testimonials
Words can’t express my gratitude for Josie. But I’ll try. Josie helped and supported me through previous birth trauma, preparation for my VBAC, getting my VBAC, and also an unexpected postpartum journey. It was so much more than having a support person. Josie was my safe place. She was everything I didn’t know I needed. I felt seen, heard, valued, and most importantly confident. Josie believed in me so much that it left no room for doubt within myself. In my most vulnerable state Josie still managed to keep me grounded, calm, strong, and brave. I truly believe she was the reason I got my VBAC. I will be forever grateful. Becky
We absolutely loved working with Josie leading up to, and for the birth of our baby. I honestly do not believe I would have experienced the incredible birth we had if it were not for the guidance, preparation and support of Josie. It was the most wonderful experience for our family and for my own internal journey to have Josie's support throughout pregnancy. Josie knows how to read the room, and for us somehow kept the mood light and hilarious, while also holding space for the big feelings and decisions. Laura
As soon as a baby comes out, whole world apparently forgets about the mother and start talking about the baby - whether it’s hospital, nurse, GP , your friend or your family. If you want someone to talk to you about your feelings, your health, your mental state (along with everything else) with zero judgments, Josephine is a doula to go for. With her practical and solution-oriented approach, she has answers to almost all questions that a new mother has in her mind. She is extremely professional, honest, caring, reliable and a kind person. This industry needs more passionate people like her to make this journey memorable and smooth for mothers. Javaria
We had the most amazing chats with Josie! She was kind, compassionate and helped us so much in processing our first son’s birth. Josie was a key difference in our second son’s birth - she gave us the confidence for a vbac and we were able to navigate the postpartum period in such a better way. My only regret is that we waited 2 years to do this - we should have done it so much sooner! I can’t recommend enough. Emily
Josie was everything I didn’t know I needed during my pregnancy and in my birth. She held space so gently it barely felt like she was in the birth room with us but her support was powerful. She brought calm, wisdom and a deep knowing that helped me feel strong, empowered and safe. Her presence gave me confidence and her words were always grounding and unbiased. Josie also hosted my mother blessing and bought such a warming and comfortable energy to the space, guests thought Josie and I had been friends for years. I’ll be forever grateful (and my husband too) to have had Josie by my side during my pregnancy and birth. Carolina
Who I am Best Suited To
I love working with women and birthing people in Melbourne who are seeking depth, clarity and grounded preparation.
You may resonate with my approach if you:
• Are preparing for a VBAC and want informed, evidence based birth education
• Desire private antenatal classes that go beyond standard hospital education
• Want a holistic understanding of birth physiology, nervous system support and informed consent
• Value sovereignty, autonomy and trauma informed care
• Are navigating previous birth trauma and seeking compassionate debriefing
• Want postpartum support that centres your wellbeing as much as your baby’s
• Appreciate humour and lightness alongside emotional depth
While I am not currently attending births, I offer comprehensive private birth education, antenatal preparation and postpartum doula support across Melbourne to help you feel confident, informed and steady as you approach labour and early parenting.
Book an initial chat
If you are searching for a Birth Doula in Melbourne, private birth education or personalised antenatal classes, the best place to begin is with a free initial chat.
This is a relaxed 20 to 30 minute conversation where we can:
Explore what you are looking for
Discuss your pregnancy, previous experiences or concerns
Clarify whether private birth education or postpartum support feels like the right fit
Answer any questions about how I work
There is no pressure and no expectation. Just a genuine opportunity to connect and see whether we align.
You can book your initial chat via Radiant Birth using the link below.
Related Radiant Birth Services
If you are exploring birth education and postpartum preparation in Melbourne, you may also be interested in:
All services are designed to provide evidence informed, holistic preparation for pregnancy, birth and early parenting across Melbourne.
