Melanie Downie - Independent Midwife based in Plymouth, Devon
Melanie Downie - Independent Midwife based in Plymouth, Devon

Hi I'm Mel, The Southwest Indie Midwife.

I'm an independent, private midwife and I cover an area across Devon and Cornwall around 60 mins from my home in Plymouth. I am an experienced homebirth midwife, having worked in an NHS homebirth team previously and supported many, many families to have wonderful and empowering homebirths.

I believe in the magic of relational care. True, trusting bonds, nurtured and built over time have the power to really transform your pregnancy journey. I am a trauma informed practitioner and I really work with you during your pregnancy to empower you to have a positive and affirming birth experience, on your terms.

I am skilled in supporting physiology in labour and birth and am passionate about this. In my previous NHS role I was the Midwifery Care Lead midwife and helped to transform the service to incorporate biomechanics and physiology informed environments on the labour ward.

I am trained in biomechanics and hypnobirthing. I am also a qualified Holistic Therapist so can offer aromatherapy, massage and reflexology. All of these can be used to enhance your pregnancy, labour and birth as part of a toolkit. Helping you to really connect with your baby and feel nurtured in your pregnancy.

I am a registered Midwife with the NMC just like NHS midwives & have full indemnity cover (insurance) to provide your care as required by law. I attend yearly skills and drills, am Newborn Life Support and Immediate Life Support trained. I continue to work some shifts in the NHS meaning I maintain good working relationships with local trusts, as well as being up-to-date with new policy and guidelines. This means I can help you navigate the system if needed, support and advocate for you and allow you to make truly informed decisions about your care, all whilst maintaining safety for you and your baby.

In the postnatal period I am experienced in supporting breastfeeding and navigating breastfeeding issues if this is your chosen feeding method.

I am committed to creating a positive and nurturing start to new motherhood and want you and your baby to thrive under my care.