- Midwifery care is local, family-centered, evidence-based maternity care
- Midwifery care is available to all people expecting a new baby
- Midwives are registered and highly trained healthcare professionals
- Midwives can order all of the required and requested tests, ultrasounds, and specialist appointments you may need
- Midwifery care is based on relationships, modern science, and ancient knowledge and trust in pregnancy and birth
- Midwives are available 24/7 for your urgent concerns
- Midwives attend hospital births and home-births
- Midwives provide postpartum care in the comfort of your own home
Keep reading for a more detailed look at what to expect...
PRenatal care
Due to the all-encompassing nature of midwifery care, midwives are limited in the number of women they can provide services for. Although we try our best not to turn any Sooke clients away, it is a good idea to book an appointment as soon as possible to ensure we have space.
Ideally, your first appointment should take place before you are 12 weeks pregnant. Birthing partners are encouraged to attend and children are welcome. The average appointment is about 45 minutes long.
Your first visit with your midwife includes a comprehensive medical history, a physical assessment and nutritional and lifestyle counselling. This appointment also gives you and your midwife time to get to know one another and an opportunity to address your questions and concerns.
Subsequent visits take place every 4-5 weeks until 30 weeks, every 2-3 weeks until 36 weeks, and then weekly until your baby is born. At each visit, your midwife will take your blood pressure and (from about twelve weeks on) assess your baby's growth, heartbeat, movement and position, and interpret and discuss lab test and ultrasound results. We also spend time discussing your emotional and physical well-being throughout pregnancy, as well as preparations for labour and birth.
Midwives specialize in providing guidance and care to healthy pregnant women with low-risk pregnancies. In the event a complication develops that is beyond the regulated scope of practice, your midwife will refer you to a obstetric physician or other specialist who can provide guidance and management according to your specific needs. Your midwife will usually continue to meet with you throughout your pregnancy even if other specialists are also involved.
Ideally, your first appointment should take place before you are 12 weeks pregnant. Birthing partners are encouraged to attend and children are welcome. The average appointment is about 45 minutes long.
Your first visit with your midwife includes a comprehensive medical history, a physical assessment and nutritional and lifestyle counselling. This appointment also gives you and your midwife time to get to know one another and an opportunity to address your questions and concerns.
Subsequent visits take place every 4-5 weeks until 30 weeks, every 2-3 weeks until 36 weeks, and then weekly until your baby is born. At each visit, your midwife will take your blood pressure and (from about twelve weeks on) assess your baby's growth, heartbeat, movement and position, and interpret and discuss lab test and ultrasound results. We also spend time discussing your emotional and physical well-being throughout pregnancy, as well as preparations for labour and birth.
Midwives specialize in providing guidance and care to healthy pregnant women with low-risk pregnancies. In the event a complication develops that is beyond the regulated scope of practice, your midwife will refer you to a obstetric physician or other specialist who can provide guidance and management according to your specific needs. Your midwife will usually continue to meet with you throughout your pregnancy even if other specialists are also involved.
Labour and Birth
Midwives in BC offer choice of birthplace. Women usually choose to give birth in the space they feel the most comfortable. For women in Sooke, this can be at home or at Victoria General Hospital.
There will be ample time during prenatal appointments to discuss when to contact your midwife at the beginning of active labour. Usually at this time your midwife will come to your home to assess both you and your baby, and to determine when to leave (if you are planning a hospital birth).
Regardless of where you are having your baby, your midwife will monitor both you and your baby's well-being throughout labour and for the first few hours postpartum. This often includes assessments like frequently listening to the baby's heartbeat, checking your blood pressure, pulse and temperature, and providing physical and emotional support.
After the birth, many women choose to leave the hospital within a few hours so they can enjoy getting acquainted with their new arrival in the comfort of their own home. We recommend this and we always visit mother and babe the day after birth, regardless of where you are. The motherbabe/postpartum ward at VGH also available for women who want or need to remain in hospital for longer.
Home birth with a midwife is a common and safe option in the Sooke area, given that your pregnancy is low-risk and has progressed normally. For women choosing home birth, water birth is an option for non-pharmaceutical pain relief. Water birth has been shown to increase relaxation and decrease the sensation of pain, as well as shorten the duration of first and second stages of labour. It is safe for low-risk women who have had normal pregnancies.
In the rare event a complication should arise at home, midwives are medically trained and equipped with supplies and medication to manage emergencies. We are also able to transfer into the hospital at anytime to receive the support of specialist care if indicated. There is ample research on the safety of home birth with registered midwives in BC, and you will have time to discuss this more with your midwife during prenatal appointments.
There will be ample time during prenatal appointments to discuss when to contact your midwife at the beginning of active labour. Usually at this time your midwife will come to your home to assess both you and your baby, and to determine when to leave (if you are planning a hospital birth).
Regardless of where you are having your baby, your midwife will monitor both you and your baby's well-being throughout labour and for the first few hours postpartum. This often includes assessments like frequently listening to the baby's heartbeat, checking your blood pressure, pulse and temperature, and providing physical and emotional support.
After the birth, many women choose to leave the hospital within a few hours so they can enjoy getting acquainted with their new arrival in the comfort of their own home. We recommend this and we always visit mother and babe the day after birth, regardless of where you are. The motherbabe/postpartum ward at VGH also available for women who want or need to remain in hospital for longer.
Home birth with a midwife is a common and safe option in the Sooke area, given that your pregnancy is low-risk and has progressed normally. For women choosing home birth, water birth is an option for non-pharmaceutical pain relief. Water birth has been shown to increase relaxation and decrease the sensation of pain, as well as shorten the duration of first and second stages of labour. It is safe for low-risk women who have had normal pregnancies.
In the rare event a complication should arise at home, midwives are medically trained and equipped with supplies and medication to manage emergencies. We are also able to transfer into the hospital at anytime to receive the support of specialist care if indicated. There is ample research on the safety of home birth with registered midwives in BC, and you will have time to discuss this more with your midwife during prenatal appointments.
Postpartum care
Midwifery care continues for six weeks after your baby is born. Your midwife will visit you at the hospital and at your home several times during the first couple of weeks to monitor your recovery, assess your baby's well being and to offer support. Your midwife will be able to answer your questions regarding baby care, help with any feeding challenges, and monitor the baby's weight gain/growth. Your midwife will also offer you standard tests and procedures offered for newborns in BC, like the Newborn Metabolic Screening test.
After the first 10-14 days, weekly visits occur at the clinic. After six weeks, your midwife will transfer the care of you and your newborn back to your family physician. If you do not have a family physician, let us know and we can try to help you find one before we discharge you from care.
After the first 10-14 days, weekly visits occur at the clinic. After six weeks, your midwife will transfer the care of you and your newborn back to your family physician. If you do not have a family physician, let us know and we can try to help you find one before we discharge you from care.