Madeline gave birth just hours before the day to her second daughter

“Things have really improved, but then you see stuff on the news and suddenly reality can be very sobering,” she said.

“I want to see a world where my daughters are free to be whatever they want to be, but I also want them to feel physically safe. I don’t want them to be worried about watching their backs all the time.”

Fifty-one centimetres tall, Amelia was delivered via a cesarean, which according to Leahy went smoothly. The mum-of-two said the moment she first saw Amelia was “indescribable”.

“God it’s just madness, absolute madness,” she said, shaking her head. “To hold her on my chest and just look at this most beautiful little girl, you just can’t even explain it, even when it’s your second time giving birth.”

Mercy Women’s Hospital midwife Emily Norris said witnessing the interaction between mother and child was “unquestionably the best part of the job”.

“I’m very fortunate because I was brought up in a family of strong women,” she said. “I get to work in a team of phenomenal women and everyday I get to watch courageous women go through labour and adapt to motherhood. It’s just a dream to be surrounded by the power of women.”

Norris said “empowering women to follow their intuition” was an essential part of her job, especially during the birthing process.

“We know that women sometimes don’t have ideal labour experiences, so I feel very passionate about advocating for mums and always making sure that they make their own informed decisions,” she said.

A spokesperson from Mercy Hospital said staff were excited to “welcome the next generation of women across both Werribee Mercy Hospital and Mercy Hospital for Women on International Women’s Day”.

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Leahy cited her own sister Stephanie, her mother, and best friend of 24 years, Tayla, as key sources of inspiration in her life.

She said her “trio of extraordinary women” would drop anything to help her.

“Not to be dramatic, but I don’t think I would survive with them,” Leahy said. “They are there when I’m having the best day, and they are also there when I’m having a horrible day – especially my sister.”