‘What I was born to do’: Emma Medling on the joys of regional midwifery

After a nearly decade-long hiatus, returning to the Kimberley was something of a homecoming for Clinical Midwife Manager Emma Medling.

Emma, who was born in Queensland and grew up in Victoria, worked as a midwife in Derby from 2007 to 2014 before moving to Albany for nine years.

She returned in late 2023 and hasn’t looked back, once again becoming a much-valued member of the Derby Health Service maternity team.

“Returning to the Kimberley has felt like coming home for me. The unique, raw beauty of this place and these people continue to fill my heart like they did over a decade ago,” Emma said.

“I now find myself standing alongside babies that I saw enter the world who are now becoming mums themselves.”

Emma has been a nurse for 26 years and a midwife for 24, working in Melbourne and Perth before joining WA Country Health Service.

During her second stint in Derby, she’s led the development of an innovative FIFO midwifery program now being trialled in Port Hedland.

She said she feels fortunate to lead a team of passionate midwives.

“We all agree it’s an absolute privilege to care for and walk beside local Kimberley women as they journey into motherhood,” Emma said.

“What an honour it is to listen to them, to learn from them and place them at the centre of every decision we as a maternity team make.”

Asked what she loves about working in a remote community, Emma said it was the variety and diversity of the job.

“It’s the amazing people you meet, the complex challenges you face, the autonomy you have professionally, the incredible team of likeminded people you work with, and the grand adventures you have,” she added.

“May we continue to be inspired to listen more deeply, care more intentionally, and advocate more fiercely for every woman and family in our care. May the voices of the Kimberley women always be heard, valued, and respected.”  

From a young age, Emma knew she wanted to be a midwife.

“I never navigated away from that all throughout school; I always felt like it was what I was born to do,” she said.

“Now my beautiful son, Zeke (a newly qualified registered nurse), has commenced his nursing career here in Derby this year, and it’s an absolute dream to be working in the same community as him and seeing him grow as a passionate new nurse.”

Emma said she hoped sharing her story would inspire others to step out of their comfort zone.

“I’d encourage any nurse or midwife who is seeking adventure to apply for a role in WA Country Health Service as you never know what it may lead to,” she said.