Independent & Private Midwives – Empower Birth Workers, Enrich Birth Journeys

ZEST is a one-stop, vibrant community of the most highly skilled Independent and Private Midwives, MaMas, Doulas and Student Midwives nationwide. Join us as a professional or search for your perfect birth professional in our directory.

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Join ZEST as a professional

Join our ever growing community of highly skilled midwives, birth workers, working as independent and private midwives.

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Search for a Midwife or MaMa (doula/birth professional)

If you’re looking for a doula, midwife or birth worker search our directory to find your perfect fit.

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Who are ZEST?

ZEST is a unique co-creation to reclaim true autonomous Independent and Private Midwifery practice and the facilitation of physiological birth choices.
We believe continuity of care is key within midwifery and birthing practice for all our private midwives and the families they care for.

For Professionals

ZEST welcomes UK registered NMC Midwives and MaMas (Midwife and Mother’s Assistants), which can include doulas, student midwives, and experienced birth support workers too. We have a range of registration options and packages to suit your needs including for students and newly qualified midwives too.

Registrants receive ZEST’s exclusive Mandatory Practical Training called ‘Safe and Skilled at Home,’ (Community Birth Challenges: A Multi-Disciplinary Team Approach)© alongside a whole host of other training and benefits including Safeguarding (level 3) and other optional training.

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For Families

At ZEST, we understand the profound significance of the journey to parenthood. Whether you’re expecting your first child or adding to your growing family, finding the right private midwife or MaMa can make all the difference. Expect unparalleled support and care tailored to your unique needs and preferences throughout your journey.

Are you ready to find the perfect independent, private midwife or birth worker for your family? In just a few clicks, you can connect with professionals who align with your values & vision for childbirth.
Let us support you every step of the way.

Find a Birth Worker

Homebirth suspended in your area?

It is your right to choose how and where you give birth. Find out more about how ZEST midwives can work with your NHS trust or local hospital to fund a private homebirth with a gold standard ZEST independent private midwife. You can also download a letter template to send directly to your trust to opt for this service.

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A Sustainable Professional Practice

“We share the common sadness that is currently permeating through midwifery, that there is something desperately wrong at the core of the profession. Low morale and record high levels of stress, pressure, physical and mental health issues are being reported by our maternity colleagues. 
We believe it is time to take a deep breath, press the reset button and reclaim true midwifery care for both practitioners and for the people who want and deserve to feel safe, special and empowered on their journey into parenthood.”

The statistics speak for themselves…

The ZEST Team

Find out more…
zest midwives - meet your midwife

Our Values

At ZEST, our key values form the basis of who we are and how we operate. We empower and educate all members of the birthing community enabling you to have real autonomy and the birthing people to make informed choices every step of the way.
From pregnancy, birth, postnatal care and beyond. Our independent, private midwives and our MaMas (doulas and other birth professionals) adhere to our unique CARE values to offer compassionate care with accountability and respect in an inclusive community where everyone counts.

C

is for Compassionate

Nurture the Heart of Midwifery
We have great compassion for Every Woman & Birthing Person, Every Midwife or Birth Worker, Every Moment.

A

is for Accountable

Empowering with Integrity
Supporting Every Birth, Woman and Person, Every Midwife and Birth Worker, Every Decision, Every Promise is Kept.

R

is for Respect

Respecting Choices
Honouring Journeys: Cherishing Every Woman & Birthing Person’s Decision, Every Midwife’s Role, Every Birth with Dignity.

E

is for Everyone Counts

Embracing Diversity
Fostering Inclusivity. Every Midwife, Pregnant Woman & Person, Every Family, & Every Unique Journey Truly Matters.

★★★★★
“I really wanted to let you know how grateful I am for the support you provided during quite a harrowing birth and also the investigation conducted by the trust. You were available at all times and responded quickly with my concerns. You were proactive with your support as a PMA and also as a fellow midwife, keeping in touch, checking I was OK and if there was anything you could do for me. I appreciate the offers to read through my reflection statement.
Thanks for helping me identify my ongoing learning needs and also for attending the investigation the trust conducted with me as support.”
ZEST IM Registrant

Why ZEST?

ZEST is committed to working with and for our registrants (private midwives and independent midwives) and their clients. Our focus is always on the maintenance of safe practice, effective communication, gold standard care. Our ethos and philosophy is based on equitable and trusting relationships with those who become part of the ZEST family.

Our promise is that all ZEST registered practitioners feel valued, respected and supported. We believe that this facilitates their clients to have a real voice and to be at the centre of their own care.

working together with Zest Midwives

Key benefits of joining ZEST:

Comprehensive Level 3 ZEST Safeguarding© (Children and Adults) is included in your registration.
Exclusive in-person Mandatory Practical Training (MPT) on “Safe and Skilled at Home – Community Birth Challenges.”© In person event, held at locations in both the North & South of England. 
You and your clients are assured of the ZEST KQSC support and advocacy as required.
ZEST well-being support includes online monthly Wellness Wednesday sessions and weekly yoga classes.
Full access to the ZEST Family community forum for networking, engagement, discussion, peer support and more.
Inclusion in the exclusive ZEST directory for advertising.
Quarterly learning and growing forums for discussions on key initiatives and opportunities.
Unlimited advocacy and support from the ZEST team and so much more…
See all ZEST Packages and Benefits
Book a 1:1 Call

We are on our collaborative journey to welcoming over 200 ZEST registrants in 2026…

Our partnerships and connections with the NHS continue to grow to provide safe and high quality maternity care to all.

Our Founders

ZEST was born by midwives and holistic practitioners who wanted to create a new approach to midwifery practice. Focusing on continuity of care, autonomous practice, client led care, education and training to enable physiological birth choices for all.

Tracy Thomas Zest Director

Tracy Thomas

Director of Midwifery

Tracy is a registered practicing midwife with over 25 years of experience. She has held senior leadership roles within both the private sector and the NHS. Tracy offers advocacy and support to the ZEST community of midwives and MaMas. She created many of our Training Programmes including the “MPT©” exclusive ZEST Training.

More about Tracy

Katy Shay

Director of Health and Wellbeing 

With 25 years of running a thriving homeopathy practice, and a background in agricultural zoology and tropical medicine, Katy brings expertise in many complementary therapies. These include yoga, nutrition, relaxation, mindfulness, and sound bath therapy. She provides gentle holistic care.
She is also a trained MaMa (doula).

More about Katy
Meet the team…

Start your journey with ZEST

For Midwives MaMas & Birth Workers

Start your journey with ZEST today and explore our unique packages & options, opening you up to a whole new world of midwifery practice.

Find out more…

For Pregnant Women, People & Families

Visit our directory of ZEST registered midwives & birth workers to find your perfect birthing partner. Filter by location, birth service and more.

Find a Birth Worker

The Numbers Behind Our Success

Delve into the data that underscores our achievements and growth at ZEST with our independent, private midwives and birthworkers.

167

ZEST Community Members so far

94%

Natural Vaginal Birth Rate

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