Continuity of Care

MCM2015-38When you have a midwife, you receive complete care. Midwives provide care from early pregnancy to six weeks after birth to you and your baby. A midwife from the clinic is available on call by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All through pregnancy, labour, birth and the first six weeks of your baby’s life, you will be cared for by a small group of midwives. This means that you are likely to know the midwife who delivers your baby.

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Before, during and after birth, your midwife will speak with doctors if there are complications. It may become necessary for your midwife to pass your care to a doctor. The doctor will then be responsible for your care. Your midwife may continue to provide support for you even if you need a doctor. An example of this is if you needed a cesarean section due to complications. Or if you required insulin for gestational diabetes.

Before birth

Your midwife will spend time learning about you, your family, your hopes for the pregnancy and your medical history. You will have a team of up to three midwives who are responsible for your care until you give birth. Two of these midwives will most likely be at your birth.

During labour

There will be at least one midwife at your birth. There will likely be two midwives present when your baby is born. Your first midwife is mainly responsible for providing care for you during and after labour. Your second midwife is mainly responsible for your baby after the birth. If no midwife you know is available to go to your birth, other midwives from the clinic will provide care at your birth. This situation is uncommon.

After birth

Your midwife will go to your home for the first appointments after birth. About a week after the birth, you and your baby will go to the clinic for appointments. Your midwife will provide care for you and your baby until six weeks after you give birth. You will need to find a doctor or a care provider who can care for your baby after you leave midwifery care. Your midwife can help you find a doctor or care provider if you do not have one.