Emma Snelgar - EmPower Matrescence

Published!!

This is a paper that I wrote in 2024 when I did my postgraduate diploma. My brilliant lecturer Dr Anita Moyes suggested that I publish it, and then supported me through the process and co-authored it with me.

It's been a long process - rewriting it into a discussion piece, to submission, edits and then it was accepted for publication in October 2025 then finally published in March 2026, and here it is!!

It highlights the policy gap in Western Australia surrounding birth trauma, and makes recommendations - particularly for where it could count for Child Health Nurses who are receiving women into their care who have been traumatised by their birth. Better identification and referral pathways could make a big difference for so many women and families.

Will it change anything? Probably not! But hopefully it starts a conversation.

I tried to screenshot it to put the whole thing in, but it's too big for an Instagram tile. If you would like to read it in full shoot me a DM with your email and I'll send you a copy! Or you could look it up because I have a doi with my name - wild!

DOI https://doi.org/10.33235/jcyph.7.1.4-8

But guys, I'm published in an actual academic journal!! Beyond excited is an understatement.

Big thankyou to the Journal of Children and Young People's Health for seeing the value and publishing this discussion piece.

Yay!!

Non-Directive Pregnancy Counselling (NDPC) is a Medicare-funded option that gives you the space to talk through any and all pregnancy-related concerns in a safe, supported and confidential way. 

This includes birth outcomes and early mothering experiences, which are a direct result of pregnancy and why women up to 12 months postpartum are eligible.

You may have never heard of it before - I hadn't until I began exploring my options in how I can better support the women I work with - and there's a good chance your GP wouldn't have heard of it either! But it is there available for any eligible woman who needs it.

It is a great option if you need some quick support, and because it's not a mental health care plans, that option will still be available to you afterwards if you want more ongoing support.

I offer NDPC online and if you're in the Perth metro region, in-home. If you have any questions - please reach out 💜

I'm so excited to *finally* announce that I have my Medicare provider number and I can officially offer some Medicare rebates!!

I can now offer the Medicare item Non-Directive Pregnancy Counselling, and women who are pregnant through to 12 months postpartum are eligible for a rebate for up to three sessions.

Non-Directive Pregnancy Counselling is a space for you to talk about anything to do with your pregnancy or postpartum (including birth).

Two of my services would fit under this umbrella - my Healing Birth service for birth debriefing after a difficult or traumatic birth, and my Holding the Mother service, for a broader opportunity to talk about anything within your postpartum experience - if you're having a difficult time in your matrescence or transition into motherhood, you have breastfeeding or sleep trauma, you're struggling with a lack of support - anything you need to talk about.

What you’ll need: a GP referral for Non-Directive Pregnancy Counselling, using the item number 81010 for an in-person home visit, or 93026 for a Zoom appointment.

The current Medicare rebate is $70.85 per session. Sessions are paid in full at the time of booking, and after each session, I’ll provide you with an invoice you can submit to Medicare to claim your rebate.

If this sounds like the kind of support you’ve been looking for, I’d love to hear from you. If you have any questions, please feel free to shoot me a DM.

You're not alone in this, and support is here when you’re ready.