When Roisin McNaney had her first baby seven weeks ago, she would have loved to have her own mother around. But Ms McNaney's mother, and the rest of her family, are back in Ireland.
"I think you have this romanticised view of what it's going to be like to have your first baby and then when the reality hits it's a very different experience," she said.
She found support just around the corner in Kensington, in Melbourne's inner north, from Midwives and Mothers Australia (MAMA).
But Melbourne City Council, which owns the building MAMA operates from, has advertised its intention to sell the building because it did not comply with its strategic plan.
MAMA, which began 11 years ago as Melbourne's first private midwifery service, offers a range of services including breastfeeding support, counselling, physiotherapy and paediatric care.
It has been a lifeline for Ms McNaney in looking after her baby, Meala.
"It's very much a space where you can come and everybody knows your name and smiles and waves at you.
"It's just like having a big hug from your mum, coming in here."
The council acknowledged the "vital work and valuable services" of MAMA, but said there is a free maternal and child health centre nearby.
"Community consultation is currently being undertaken on the proposal to sell four Council-owned properties, and we are actively encouraging community feedback," the council said in a statement.
MAMA director Jan Ireland said the service was very different to the government-run maternal and child health services.
"I think the city council doesn't know what we do here," she said.
She said the clinic was set up in response to increasing rates of post-natal depression and was needed now more than ever.
"When COVID came along, it was important we stayed open. We are first line workers and we worked 24/7," she said.
Melbourne's Royal Women's Hospital referred 151 patients to MAMA in the first six months of 2022, and it made over 300 home visits the hospital could not provide.
Clinic's closure would 'be sad for many people'
Sarah Thijs has three children and has relied on MAMA for help and advice since their births.
"It just feels like they really care about you — it's very holistic, everyone works together and everyone just wants to help you make the best out of it."
"You can still have services everywhere but it's not the community feel anymore which I think will be sad for many people."
MAMA co-founder Kelly Langford said she doubted they could afford to set up the business again if they had to move.
"It is always a balance of making enough to pay the bills but not charging too much so women can't access our services," she said.
