At Maternity Care Midwives, client safety is our top priority. We are currently implementing policies to keep our clients safe and reduce the spread of Coronavirus during this pandemic.

Clients must wear a mask (cloth or medical grade) and perform hand hygiene when entering the clinic. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided to you.

Due to a significant increase in the number of cases of COVID-19 in our area, we are requesting clients attend their appointments alone. There is evidence of community spread of the virus in the Thunder Bay area and screening results are increasingly showing the pattern of the omicron variant.

Our clinic is following the current Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Guidelines for providing care in a community setting. As midwives, we understand the importance providing family-friendly services and a positive social environment in our clinic. We miss seeing the smiling faces of your other littles!  We are staying up to date with the changing COVID-19 guidelines and are looking forward to when it is safe to welcome children at appointments again. If you are experiencing exceptional circumstances (e.g., unable to arrange childcare), please contact our administrator or speak with your midwife prior to your scheduled appointment to discuss your individual situation.

Clients must pass through screening when entering the clinic.

• • In the past 3 days, have YOU or a MEMBER OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD experienced one or more of the following new or worsening symptoms: Fever, Cough, Difficulty breathing, Muscle aches, Fatigue, Headache, Sore throat, Runny nose, Nasal congestion, Hoarse voice, Difficulty swallowing, Chills, Change in sense of smell/taste, Gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea)?
  • Have you traveled outside of Canada in the last 14 days or outside of Northwestern Ontario (Manitouwadge to the Manitoba Border) in the last 7 days?
  • Have you had close contact without personal protective equipment (PPE) with anyone with a confirmed or probable (being tested at present) case of COVID-19?
  • In the last 14 days, have you tested positive for COVID-19 or are you waiting for test results because of symptoms?
  • If you fail the COVID screening, please contact the clinic prior to your appointment and the midwife will arrange to do your appointment over the phone.

Changes to our prenatal visit schedule.

• • Midwives received an order from the Chief Medical Officer of Ontario to reduce non-essential visits on March 19, 2021. As per The World Health Organization recommended visits for a positive pregnancy outcome, we have received guidance on what is deemed an “essential visit.” The current recommended visit schedule is for in-person visits is: one visit in the first trimester, two visits in the second trimester (16-20, 28 weeks), and five contacts in the third trimester (31-32, 34-36, 38, 39, 40, 41 weeks).
  • We will be following the routine prenatal care schedule. Clients will have the choice between all in-person appointments OR alternating between in-person and phone appointments.
  • Your midwife team may recommend all in-person appointments if any clinical concerns arise (e.g., learning disabilities, concerns about fetal growth, high blood pressure, mental health concerns).
  • Clients who are under shared care or are transfers of care to an obstetrician, will have the majority of their visits conducted by phone as in-person assessments will be done by their obstetrician. 

Example of Alternating Phone and In-Person Appointment Schedule:

 Changes to our postpartum visit schedule.

• Providing postpartum care at home was established as a key part of the midwifery model. We are still offering home visits on a reduced schedule during the pandemic.
• We are currently offering 2 home visits to the parent-infant dyad in the postpartum period. A home visit will be offered within the first 48 hours of birth and at least one more additional time in the first week.
• The remaining visits at 2 week, 4 week, and the 6 week discharge visit will be in person at the clinic.
• Your midwife team may discuss changing the frequency or type of visit if clinical concerns arise (e.g., breastfeeding concerns, poor weight gain, mental health concerns).