Welcome to The Mama’s Alchemist…
Holistic support for Mamas during their journey through Motherhood.
Kate Thomson — The Mama’s Alchemist
Hi, I’m Kate, and I’ll be with you every step of the way.
As an endorsed midwife, I have been a part of the childbearing journey for many women and as such, understand that no two women are the same. That’s why my care services are not only holistic, but also completely tailored to meet the needs of each woman and her family.
I have provided care and support for many women and their families throughout pregnancy, labour birth and postpartum. My experience working in both hospital and community settings has allowed me to be able to support your choices and wishes for your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.
As a Chinese Medicine Practitioner, I provide treatment and support for a range of health issues and utilise a range of modalities including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, cupping and moxibustion. I understand the importance of working in partnership with my clients to provide individualised evidence-based care.
I would love to chat with you more and learn how I can support you on this special motherhood journey.
Motherhood is a journey,
not a destination.
I’d love to support you where ever you are at in this journey. I understand every motherhood experience is different and unique. Motherhood can be beautiful, challenging, exciting, scary, and everything in-between. Together, we’ll work towards navigating this next chapter so that you’ll feel guided, supported, and ready to face whatever challenges may come your way.
Preconception, Birth & Postpartum Preparation
Preparation Focused | At-Home Services | One-On-One
These 1:1 sessions are designed to support you with evidence-based knowledge, guidance and support about preparing for your conception and pregnancy, your upcoming labour and birth, or for the postpartum of your dreams.
Some ways we can work together:
Understanding your menstrual cycle & fertile windows
Understanding options of available care for pregnancy and birth
Education around acupressure & labour preparation tools, including preparing Birth Wish Lists & Preferences
Creating a Postpartum Plan for extra nourishment & healing for those first few months postpartum
These sessions are held in the comfort of your own home over 2-3 hours, and you will be given additional resources for extra support at the end of the session.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Postpartum + Pre Care | At-Home Services | One-On-One
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used to support health for thousands of years. Chinese Medicine treatment may be able to help pregnant women with pregnancy related musculoskeletal pains, as well as nausea and vomiting. Whether you’re trying to conceive, are currently pregnant or you’re in your postpartum journey, let’s discuss how acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine could be used to complement your life.
Midwifery Support for All Stages of Pregnancy
Midwifery Care | At-Home Services | One-On-One
As an endorsed midwife, I am able to provide care both during your pregnancy and after the birth of your baby. This can include providing antenatal and postnatal checks to you and your baby in the comfort of your home.
I am also able to request pathology and ultrasounds as required while ensuring that the care is centred to you and your individual needs and circumstances. If this is something you are interested in, please reach out to discuss which options of care feel right for you and your family.
*Ask me about which services are eligible for Medicare rebates.
The Ultimate Postpartum Support Package
Postpartum Care | At-Home Services | One-On-One
Are you birthing your baby in hospital and would like some extra guidance, support, and nourishment in those first few weeks postpartum?
Following your discharge home from hospital, you’ll receive:
Daily visits for the first 5 days postpartum
This will then be followed by weekly postpartum visits
You’ll also receive midwifery care, support, mother-crafting and newborn education, and acupuncture as needed
These visits include all mother and baby checks until six weeks postpartum
*Ask me about which services are eligible for Medicare rebates.
Due to the nature of this service I have limited availability, so please get in touch sooner rather than later to enquire about my availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions /
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I work with and support women throughout all stages of their life. I have a special interest in women’s health and have completed extensive training during my studies, as well as my annual continuing professional development in areas of women’s health.
I pride myself on working with my clients towards their own health needs and health goals.
At our first consultation together, we will discuss what you are hoping to work towards during our time together- for example, this may be improving sleep quality or reducing the severity of a particular symptom such as nausea and vomiting or pelvic pain.
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Acupuncture is a safe modality of care that can be used throughout pregnancy and postpartum. Acupuncture treatment may be able to help pregnant women with pregnancy related musculoskeletal pains, as well as nausea and vomiting.
Acupuncture can be used on its own, or in conjunction with other forms of care (such as standard midwifery or obstetric care, or other allied health modalities including physiotherapy, chiropractic care or osteopathy) to support you in your pregnancy and postpartum journey.
It is best to discuss your individual circumstances with me to establish whether incorporating acupuncture into your pregnancy and postpartum care is right for you. Prior to your first appointment, we will have a quick telephone chat to answer any questions and concerns you may have.
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Great question! Although Chinese Medicine and midwifery care are quite different, there are also similarities of how the two types of care can work together.
Both Chinese Medicine and midwifery care centre the client (the woman) at the centre of the care, and consider all aspects of care; the physical, emotional, and social aspects that may impact your antenatal, labour, birth, and postpartum care journey.
It is well documented that continuity of care improves outcomes for women and their babies, but also increases maternal satisfaction of their experience. Unfortunately, not every woman is able to access continuity of carer through their own midwife. I like to think that this is where my experience as a midwife, and the care I can provide as a Chinese Medicine Practitioner work together. I consider all parts of you and work with you during your pregnancy and postpartum experience.
I am also privileged to be able to provide ongoing care to women after six weeks postpartum, as many of my clients choose to continue their Chinese Medicine care and support throughout their first year postpartum and beyond. Understanding you and your own unique circumstances is why I find the care and support I provide so beneficial.
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Initial and follow up appointments are one hour in duration.
At an initial appointment, we will go through several questions regarding your current and past health history, as well as some general questions including your sleep, digestion and menstrual cycle (if you have one). I will also ask to look at your tongue and feel your pulse. These questions, and assessing your tongue and pulse, help me to establish your Chinese Medicine diagnosis and form the best treatment protocol to support your body. A treatment protocol may consist of acupuncture alone or may also include some lifestyle modifications and or Chinese herbal medicine/supplements. Single-use acupuncture needles will be inserted into specific acupuncture points that have been chosen to support your body. Needles will be left in situ for approximately 25 minutes, whilst you take a rest (some clients choose to listen to a meditation or some music during this time). Needles will then be removed, and we may have a final chat and discuss any further recommendations.
A follow up appointment looks quite similar, except we often do a quick check in to see how you are going, followed by your acupuncture treatment, as above.
If you are also interested in Chinese herbal medicine, we can make an extended consultation.
Alternatively, if you are only after Chinese herbal medicine, we can arrange a telehealth appointment to do this.
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The frequency of treatments is something we will discuss at your first consultation. I don’t believe there is one size fits all - there are several factors that will help us to work out the best frequency of treatments to meet your health needs.
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I can work with many different conditions and concerns. In your contact form, please be as specific as possible as to what you are seeking support with, so we are able to discuss this in our pre-appointment phone chat. If there is something I feel I am not able to assist you with, and/or there is a more suitable practitioner or modality, I will also recommend this to you.
I do not only support pregnant women; I work with all women at all stages of life.
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I can see women for single or multiple sessions of care.
If you are after midwifery care and support for antenatal or postnatal care, a referral is needed to receive a rebate from Medicare. For further information please contact me through my contact form.
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I am qualified to prescribe Chinese herbal medicine and can prescribe and tailor Chinese herbal formulas that best suit your needs.
I am also able to order supplements if these are needed.
For clients who are receiving midwifery care, I can prescribe medications that are within the midwifery scope of practice.
Should herbal medicine, supplements, or medications are prescribed, there will be additional fees to these which will be discussed with you at your consultation.
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Many of my clients will tell you that I integrate health education throughout my sessions with them. For pregnant clients, antenatal and postnatal education is integrated throughout our sessions together. If you would like more in-depth pregnancy and birth education, or a postpartum preparation session as part of your care, I am able to tailor this to you and your needs. Please reach out so we can discuss this further.
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I have completed further training in providing debriefs and birth trauma. I am able to provide debriefs, however, if I feel you are needing additional or extra support, I can refer you to more specialised services.
Let’s get to know each other…
I truly love what I do…
If we haven’t met yet, my name is Kate and I’m based in Perth, Western Australia. As a Chinese Medicine Practitioner (Acupuncturist & Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner) and Registered Midwife, I have substantial experience in working with women during their childbearing journey. I am passionate about supporting all Mamas on their own journey through conception, pregnancy, birth and motherhood.
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Treating Placenta Previa with Traditional Chinese Medicine with Deb Davies and Grace Stojanov
Obstetric Acupuncture for Pregnancy and Postnatal Care with Sarah Budd
Supporting the Postpartum with Acupuncture, Herbs and Nutrition with Laura Erlich
Preparing for Birth Practical Tools with Kate Levett
Developmental Shiatsu for Babies with Karin Kalbanter-Wernicke
Chinese Medicine Toolbox for Women by Claudia Citkowitz
Sharon Weizenbaum’s Complete Pregnancy Course using Chinese Herbs
Birth Trauma Training for Birth Workers by Dr Erin Bowe
Bring Relief with your Debrief Course through Traumatic Birth Recovery
Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth with Debra Betts
Postpartum as a Life Gateway with Brendt Reynolds
Physiological Birth Workshop
Clinical Internship Nanjing Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Bachelor of Health Science: Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine - University of Western Sydney
Bachelor of Midwifery - Charles Darwin University
Prescribing for Midwives - Griffith University
Certificate of Pregnancy Massage - Pregnancy Massage Australia
Postpartum Professional Graduate - Newborn Mothers
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Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS) Member
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) - Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Endorsed Midwife
Australian College of Midwives (ACM) Member
Obstetric Acupuncture Association (OBAA) Senior Member
Industry Workshops
I provide tailored workshops for midwives, birth workers and other allied health professionals who provide care to women in the childbearing continuum.
Topics for these workshops include Acupressure for Midwives and Birth workers and The Golden Month- Supporting the Fourth Trimester.
Please reach out through my contact form or via email for more information.
It Starts Here…
Please fill out the contact form below or send me an email directly here and I will get in touch with you as soon as possible regarding the next steps of our journey together. I look forward to connecting with you soon. xxx Kate
