The Nest Private Obstetric and Midwifery Care
‘The Nest’ is offering an exciting model of continuity of care with Obstetrician Dr Emily Roman as well as a known Midwife. Your comprehensive care package also includes a ‘Birth Preparation and Early Parenting Group Education Class’ and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant run ‘Breastfeeding Preparation Class.’ Operating out of Brightwell Health, we have access to on site pathology and other professionals including Dietician, Psychologist, Physiotherapist, GP Specialists, Gynaecology and Urogynaecology if needed during your pregnancy. You have the choice* to birth at either John Hunter Hospital or Newcastle Private Hospital with 24/7 Private Obstetric on call care followed by postnatal midwifery home visits and in clinic visits at 2 and 6 weeks.
* If you hold private insurance with obstetric cover
GP Referrals need to be sent to [email protected]
You can find out more information at https://thenestbirth.com.au/
Our Practitioners
Dr Emily Roman
Obstetrician
Emily Roman is a specialist Obstetrician who is lucky enough to be working in her dream job and brings that enthusiasm to her work every day. She is passionate about providing high quality, truly individualised care that is not only physically safe for Mums and babies but also psychologically safe. She believes that women of all risk levels benefit from continuity of Midwifery care so has created a comprehensive high quality model of care at ‘The Nest’ where all women enjoy continuity of care from both Obstetric and Midwifery professionals.
Emily studied Medicine at the University of Newcastle. During her undergraduate training she took every opportunity to bend the curriculum towards Obstetrics including completing elective terms with a private home birth midwife, a rural GP obstetrician and a term at Nepean Hospital studying the needs of urban Indigenous women in pregnancy and birth. In her university holidays she completed the 4 year John Flynn Scholarship at Alukura – an Indigenous Women’s health centre in Alice Springs.
As a junior doctor, Emily’s passion/obsession with Obstetrics only grew as she completed 4 rotations through Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
After completing an Advanced Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Emily then embarked on the rigorous 6 year FRANZCOG training program to become a specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. During her Advanced training Emily spent two years in the busy Maternal Fetal Medicine Department at John Hunter Hospital gaining invaluable experience in managing the highest risk pregnancies and in Tertiary level Obstetric ultrasound. Emily is now completing her Diploma of Diagnostic Ultrasound to formalise her advanced ultrasound skills.
Emily works as a Staff Specialist in Obstetrics at John Hunter Hospital and Moree Hospital and a Visiting Medical Officer at Maitland Hospital. She is the supervisor for all Interns and Resident Medical officers rotating through the John Hunter Hospital O&G department and is the Obstetric lead for the Belmont Midwifery Group Practice.
Emily lives and breathes Obstetrics and is a passionate lifelong learner/birth nerd. In her spare time (lol) she juggles three amazing children, a fruit vegetable and berry garden, a Labradoodle and two cats, rides her e-bike and practices yoga.
Alicia Faul
Midwife
Alicia is a Registered Nurse and Midwife with 19 years experience working in local maternity settings. During those years she has supported women and families across all areas of maternity care including antenatal, birthing, postnatal, special care nursery and community settings.
Alicia is a passionate advocate for birthing people having access to known care providers in pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period, promoting relationship-based care that is personalised, informed, compassionate and focused on each individual’s beliefs, background and personal circumstances.
A firm belief that birth holds the potential to be a transformative and empowering event in a woman’s life, which will influence her sense of self and her approach to mothering is what drives Alicia in her Midwifery practice every day.
When not at work Alicia enjoys time with her family, being in nature, good food and a well-made margarita.
Caroline Le Breton
Midwife & Lactation Consultant
Caroline started her nursing career at the age of 18 working in disability and aged care, and after having her second son she knew that midwifery was where her heart lay. She did her Bachelor of Nursing in 2003 followed by her Graduate Diploma in Midwifery in 2005 and then worked in the western suburbs of Sydney in a busy tertiary hospital. She quickly realised she had a passion for lactation and became an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant in 2009, and has spent many years supporting new parents, in a variety of positions including lactation and education roles.
In 2016 she moved to the Newcastle area and began working as a midwife in delivery suite. Throughout her career she has worked in the antenatal, postnatal and birthing environments as a midwife and providing lactation support.
Caroline has a love of travelling and discovering new cultures and this led to her volunteering in Papua New Guinea as a midwife on a medical ship in 2018, where she cared for women in extremely remote areas, with limited electricity, water and supplies. Exploring this beautiful country and seeing how women and families survive with limited resources has made her passionate about holistic women centred care.
Caroline is passionate about providing support to all families, particularly in lactation – whether it is during the antenatal or postpartum period.
Outside of work, Caroline enjoys going to the beach, spending time with family and friends and especially loves riding her bike to discover all those fabulous areas of Newcastle that only a bike can find!
Billie Callinan
Midwife
Billie completed her Nursing degree in Sydney. It was in the Intensive Care Unit that she discovered a love for critical care and supporting patients through complex health journeys. Returning home to Newcastle allowed her to be closer to family and embrace life by the ocean while continuing her training. After building her skills in the Emergency Department, Billie applied to Midwifery with her sights on being a retrieval nurse. She completed her Graduate Diploma of Midwifery at The John Hunter Hospital.
What has kept Billie in the Midwifery profession is the profound privilege of building rapport with women and their families. She loves being present during some of life’s most transformative moments, helping families navigating pregnancy, birth, and the early postnatal period with compassion and clarity.
Outside of work, Billie finds balance in connecting with people she loves, surfing, travelling, and discovering new places to eat. At home, her favourite things are spending time with her nieces and nephews, cooking new recipes, enjoying the company of her cats, and a spicy Margarita.
Alyx Pritchard
Midwife
Nest Midwife Al commenced her midwifery degree at 17 years old, driven by a long-held passion for supporting women and families through pregnancy and birth. From the outset, she was committed to developing the skills and knowledge required to provide safe, compassionate, and evidence-based care.
During her time as a midwife, she has gained extensive experience across the antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal continuum. For the three years prior to being on maternity leave Alyx has worked within a Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) model. This role allowed her to build strong, ongoing relationships with the women in her care and to provide continuity throughout their pregnancy, labour, birth and early parenting journey. Her background has equipped her with a deep understanding of holistic, woman-centred practice.
Outside of work, Al loves spending time at the beach, spending time with her baby and partner, and enjoying anything creative or crafty, often sewing outfits for her daughter.
Mel Witherspoon
Endorsed Midwife
Mel is a mum of three, an Endorsed Midwife and Registered Nurse with over 14 years of experience supporting women and families throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. She works at The Nest and at John Hunter Hospital and is passionate about providing holistic, woman-centred, informed, and safe care. Mel is dedicated to empowering women through compassionate support, evidence-based practice, and personalised care tailored to each family’s unique journey.
