We’re here to support you

Established in 1983 and, run by a team of passionate volunteers since, Homebirth Queensland promotes the right to choose in all birth and health matters.

Activities

  • We promote the right of choice in all birth and health matters

  • We offer education and support to all pregnant women who seek it

  • We offer information on natural healing methods, pain relief and nutrition

  • We encourage the active participation of all member parents and midwives in all areas concerning Homebirth Queensland

  • We promote interest in, and disseminate information on, childbirth

  • We maintain contact and liaison with other Homebirth associations

Goals

  • To share information among and between parents, midwives, doctors, hospitals and health services

  • To promote improvement in the physical, mental and social conditions of childbirth, wherever it takes place

  • To ensure that all regulatory bodies – local, state and federal are aware of current Homebirth research so that any legislation, rules or changes being formulated are based on a wide range of studies

  • To encourage those who train doctors and midwives to include the theory and practice of non-interventionist obstetrics in formal courses

  • To seek to remove any financial disadvantages of Homebirth compared with hospital birth

  • To record and analyze statistics relating to Homebirth

  • To learn more about our bodies and birth and to foster belief in women’s ability to birth naturally

Download the Homebirth QLD constitution.

The team behind Homebirth Queensland

  • Renee Talotta

    CONVENOR

    Renee’s a mum of 1 homebirth daughter whom like a lot of families was originally planning to birth in a hospital but chose homebirth as a prevention to intervention.

    Renee made this decision after listening to countless hours of birth stories while travelling Australia and hopes her advocacy will help families learn that birthing at home can be a safe, magical, comfortable option.

  • Lisa Hinsch-Poncini

    SECRETARY

    Lisa has been passionate about birth from the moment she attended her first birth as a student midwife in 1990. Working as a midwife and registered nurse in Brisbane for over 33 years she has witnessed and experienced the amazing power of physiological birth and the overwhelming frustration of medicalised birthing.

    For the last two years Lisa has worked as a birth doula in Brisbane and joins Homebirth Queensland dedicated to supporting woman having instinctive and natural birth.

    “Home birth was something I hadn’t considered when birthing my own children, but I was grateful to experience incredibly positive natural births. I believe woman deserve to be empowered, informed supported and feel safe in making birthing choices that are right for them and their families. I feel very privileged to support HBQ and the wonderful woman in our community sharing their home birth stories"

  • Philippa Scott

    TREASURER

    Philippa Scott, a mother of four daughters, isn't just passionate about consumer rights – she's a driving force for better birthing experiences. A personal turning point in 2003, after her first birth's challenges due to fragmented care and limited information, ignited her activism.

    Fueled by her desire to empower others, Philippa trained first as a Doula and launched "Friends of the Birth Centre Townsville" (FBCT) in 2003. Her dedication as president until 2011 culminated in the successful opening of the Townsville Birth Centre in 2008, a 3-room facility within the Townsville Hospital.

    Beyond leading FBCT, Philippa actively participated in consumer and citizen boards, created media projects, and facilitated free support groups. She embraced homebirths for last two daughters. Witnessing her granddaughter's recent home birth solidified her mission, driven by the desire for better birthing experiences, not just for her daughters but for all.

    Philippa's advocacy continues to flourish. She champions improvements at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital birth centre, contributes to the annual Homebirth conference (2024 & 2025), and serves as Treasurer for Home Birth QLD since 2023. Through "Fantastic Futures," she empowers parents to heal from birth and perinatal trauma, rewriting the unconscious scripts they pass on.

  • Ashley Winning

    MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY

    I’m a Birth Educator, Brisbane Birth Doula & Podcaster!

    I’ll show you how to create a better birth experience, whether this is your first, second or third birth.

    My podcast, online program, and private support have helped hundreds of women create better birth experiences.

    I’m a Mum of three and I have had two C-Section births, followed by a powerful homebirth, these experience led to my passion for birth education & support!

DISCLAIMER
Homebirth Queensland bears no responsibility for the birthing woman’s choice of midwife, birth worker or her decision to birth at home. Refer to the HBQ constitution – copies available on request. Women are encouraged to make informed choices and to take responsibility for their birthing decisions. Homebirth IS legal in Queensland, there are however restrictions on those who provide midwifery care for a birthing woman choosing Homebirth. For information regarding this legislation and other information about the registration of midwives please visit http://www.ahpra.gov.au.