Prenatal Care
Prenatal visits are held at our clinic and are generally 30-45 minutes long. These visits with your midwives offer you the possibility of learning about the changes in your body as pregnancy advances, as well as what to expect from the labour, birth and care of the newborn. In general, our care begins with an extensive interview so that we get to know you, your plans and concerns and your health history. During the next few visits, we will do a general physical assessment and discuss available lab assessments such as blood work and ultrasound. Ongoing care includes checking blood pressure and your baby's growth, heart rate and position. We expect to see pregnant women once a month until the 28th week, every two weeks until the 36th week and weekly from then until the baby is born. Extra appointments or longer visits can be scheduled if needed. A home visit is usually scheduled during the last month of pregnancy to provide time to discuss the logistics of the birth and to meet anyone else who may be participating in the birth, especially for those women choosing to have their baby at home.
One of your midwives will be available to you by pager at all times for any urgent concerns. Please refer to the "How and when to contact your midwife" sheet for details.
If you have seen a family physician, obstetrician or another midwife for part of your prenatal care, it is important that we receive copies of your health records for this pregnancy, including any lab work or ultrasound results that you have had. Midwives provide total care to women who experience normal pregnancies. If you develop obstetric problems or have a medical condition, you and your midwife will determine the appropriate source for ongoing care. If your care is transferred to an obstetrician, your primary midwife will continue to provide supportive care. Our care ends at six weeks after the birth. We suggest that you make provisions for ongoing care for you and your baby sometime in the last few months of the pregnancy.