24/05/2026
Antenatal/Pregnancy Care at Family Health Traralgon
– An announcement by Dr Aimee Kellow
It is with a heavy heart that I have made the decision to remove myself from the antenatal/pregnancy service at Family Health Traralgon. This decision has not been made lightly and has come after many months of thought and planning.
As many may be aware, I have not been involved in the direct care of women at Latrobe Regional Health for almost 12 months. This decision was one that was made for me, and in my opinion, was made without the needs of the Latrobe Valley women in mind. I have continued to provide my in-clinic service since this time as I believe women have the right to choose the level of care they want during one of the most important times of their lives. However, in more recent times it has become evident that having me involved in a woman’s pregnancy care may in fact be hindering the care they receive from other organisations. This, combined with ongoing personal scrutiny, as led me to my decision to withdraw from antenatal/pregnancy care at Family Health Traralgon.
Moving forward, all pregnancy care at Family Health Traralgon will be delivered by our amazing Midwife, Kelly Den Toom and her business BirthWise. Kelly is an Endorsed Midwife with over 25 years of experience as a Midwife in the Latrobe Valley. Her many years of experience, combined with her extra skills as a qualified Yoga and Pilates instructor and Hypnotherapist, allow her to provide high quality, personalised antenatal care as well as Childbirth and Parenting Preparation classes at Family Health Traralgon.
What does Antenatal/Pregnancy Care look like at Family Health Traralgon?
Personalised antenatal/pregnancy care at Family Health Traralgon is provided by our Amazing Endorsed Midwife, Kelly Den Toom. Kelly can provide care from your first positive pregnancy test until 6 weeks and 6 days post the birth of your baby. She will handle the ordering of all blood tests and ultrasounds and can prescribe any pregnancy related medication required.
Kelly, with the support of Family Health Traralgon also has onsite monitoring equipment usually only found within a hospital, access to all vaccines and Anti-d required in pregnancy and onsite iron infusions if required. This means all aspects of pregnancy care can be provided by Kelly at Family Health Traralgon, with no need to travel anywhere else.
We stand committed to supporting the women of the Latrobe Valley to have the type of pregnancy care they deserve, without having to pay the hefty fees of many local private midwifery services. Therefore, Kelly’s pregnancy care up until your baby is 6 weeks of age, costs less than $500 out of pocket. Kelly offers a pay-as-you-go service, with each appointment receiving a Medicare rebate. Extra fees apply for iron infusions and Childbirth and Parenting Preparation classes.
What does this mean for you?
If you are a current patient of Family Health Traralgon and already seeing both Kelly and myself for pregnancy care, this will continue. All previously booked appointments will remain in place.
If you have just found out you are pregnant and would like to attend Family Health Traralgon for your pregnancy care, this can be done! Book your “First Appointment in Pregnancy Midwife Appointment” via HotDoc or by calling reception. Kelly will be able to handle all aspects of your pregnancy care. Kelly will handle all aspects of your pregnancy care moving forward!
Family Health Traralgon along with Kelly and BirthWise look forward to providing many more years of high quality antenatal care to the women of the Latrobe Valley.
