What to Expect
Midwife Care
Registered midwives are highly trained healthcare professionals who specialize in providing comprehensive primary care to expectant mothers and their babies throughout the entire process of pregnancy, labor, birth, and up to 6 weeks postpartum. In Canada, midwifery care is based on four foundational principles: continuity of care, informed choice, evidence-based practice, and the option to choose the birth setting that best suits the individual's preferences and needs. For more information, you can visit https://www.alberta-midwives.ca/. Alberta Health Services fully funds midwifery care.
Our midwives are committed to being easily accessible to you throughout your entire experience with us. You can reach us via email or through various digital communication channels. We offer a comprehensive appointment schedule for prenatal, birth, and postpartum care, including physical assessments, addressing any questions or concerns, and engaging in meaningful discussions with you. These appointments are designed to facilitate a strong connection between you and your midwives, allowing us to understand your unique needs and values, and for you to get to know us as well.
Appointments
● 10-28 weeks : Visits every 5-6 weeks in a clinic or by phone.
● 28-36 weeks : Visits every 3 weeks in a clinic
● 36 weeks to Delivery : Visits weekly in a clinic, will allow us to closely monitor yours and your babies well-being and address any concerns that may arise.
● Attendance by the midwife at the agreed-upon place of birth during ACTIVE labor (5-6 cm dilation) until 2-4 hours postpartum (and longer if needed). Should you have a reason to be admitted before 6cm dilation, i.e., induction of labor, etc., the nurses will look after your care until the active phase of your labor (5-6cm).
● 1-2 home visits in the first week postpartum, as needed to assist with feeding your baby, monitoring the health of you and your baby, and to answer any questions that you may have.
● Additionally, we will schedule postpartum visits in the clinic at 2, 4, and 6 weeks postpartum to ensure the well-being of both mother and baby, including monitoring weight and feeding. At the 6-week visit, a thorough examination will be conducted for both you and your baby before you both are discharged to your family physician or pediatrician.