Before the baby is born

Adequate prenatal care is safest for all those preparing for birth.  Regular prenatal appointments allow you and your midwives time to get to know each other as well as to recognize signs that deviate from normal for you and your baby if they arise.Your midwivesm will see you 7-10 times in our clinic throughout your pregnancy with prenatal visits lasting around 30 minutes. We can attend labour and birth at home and in the hospital. For one of your prenatal appointments, especially if you are planning a homebirth your midwife may visit your home to become familiar with the location, to meet others who are expected to be present at the labour or birth, and to answer any questions that anyone attending the birth may have.

• Our prenatal care offers you the possibility of learning about the changes your body goes through as pregnancy advances.
• Prenatal care plays an important role in preventing and detecting problems, which can arise in pregnancy.
• Our care includes the monitoring of fetal growth, fetal heart rate and position, urinalysis, blood pressure, and the general health of mother.
• Care also includes presenting topics for discussion and education so that parents can make informed choices about their care.
• We can provide counseling and advice on nutrition, exercise, and the social and emotional aspects of pregnancy.
• If you have been seen by another caregiver before you came to our practice, we will request a copy of your records.
• We expect to see clients 7-10 times throughout their pregnancy.

During labour and birth

We attend labour and birth at home and in the hospital. We have hospital privileges at Kingston Health Science Centre.  Midwifery care for planned hospital births includes monitoring labour at home; transfer to the hospital later in active labour; and early discharge from the hospital (usually 3 to 4 hours after the birth), if the client chooses.  A client or newborn may require a longer stay in hospital for continued monitoring in the postpartum.

During labour, our care includes the assessment of labour progress, monitoring the client's vital signs, fetal position and heart rate. We also offer labour and emotional support, information and guidance to the client and their family. The second midwife attends from the latter part of the first stage of labour until after the baby is born and the placenta is delivered.

There may be times, due to illness, vacations or the occurrence of simultaneous births, when two midwives will not be available to attend the birth. At a hospital birth, the second birth attendant will be a labour and delivery nurse. If you are planning a home birth and a second midwife is not available, you may be asked to move to the hospital for the birth, or in urgent situations, an ambulance may be called for extra help.

Screening Tests and Diagnostic Procedures

Routine prenatal labwork will be ordered by your midwife. Ultrasound scans, genetic screening and other specialized tests and procedures can be ordered or facilitated for you as needed.

Complementary Therapies

The midwives in the practice occasionally recommend complementary therapies such as chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture, herbal medicine or homeopathic remedies. We only recommend practices that we are familiar and comfortable with using in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and always follow the principles of Informed Choice when offering any suggestions for your care.

After the baby is born

We make at least three postnatal visits to your home (more as needed) in the first 10 days after delivery (usually ondays 1, 3, 5, 7-10). Should any problem arise, we are always available by pager. Between two weeks and the final six-week appointment you will have one or two more clinic visits.  With midwifery care, expert care comes to you and is always available by phone. Midwives are very knowledgeable about breastfeeding and can often help clients avoid difficulties and deal with any that arise. Midwives will consult with community breastfeeding support and information services such as the La Leche League, the Public Health Unit, Lactation Consultants, Family Physicians, and /or Pediatricians, if further needs arise.

About Midwifery (College of Midwives of Ontario)

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