What happens after my baby is born?
Midwives provide care for both clients and their babies for six weeks after the birth. Whether your baby is born at home or in the hospital, your midwife will provide care in your home with several visits in the first 7-10 days. This allows for clients to rest and recuperate without having to travel outside the home or bring the baby to a clinic or hospital setting. For clients choosing to breastfeed, breastfeeding support is invaluable in the early days. These frequent visits facilitate a successful breastfeeding relationship and challenges, if there are any, are caught and dealt with in a timely way. Clients then see their midwives in clinic 2 or 3 times with the final visit scheduled at 6 weeks postpartum. Midwives remain available by pager 24 hours a day, every day. After six weeks, clients are discharged from midwifery care and will see their family doctor for care. A complete summary of care is provided to the woman's family physician at the end of care.