WHAT IS A MIDWIFE?

Midwives are experts in healthy low risk pregnancy and birth.

Midwives are maternity care providers who care for healthy pregnant clients and their newborn babies from early pregnancy, through labour and birth and up to 6-8 weeks postpartum. In B.C. a pregnant person may choose between a family physician, a midwife or an obstetrician for maternity care. Midwives primarily care for the healthy low risk population. Registered Midwives are an established part of the B.C. healthcare system, are covered by MSP, and do not require a referral from a doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Serving Oceanside communities: Qualicum Beach, Parksville, French Creek, Nanoose Bay, Coombs and Errington.


Jordan Guignard, RM

Erin Hennessey, RM
Request for Care 

Congratulations!

Oceanside Midwifery is open in Parksville!



Midwives...
  • order and interpret blood work and ultrasounds.
  • monitor your physical and emotional health
  • provide evidence-based information
  • support your informed decision making
  • prescribe medications for pregnancy conditions
  • consult and refer to specialists in pregnancy and during labour should concerns or emergencies arise
  • Offer choice in birth place (hospital or out of hospital)
  • Advocate for your infant feeding choices
  • practice client-centered maternity and newborn care.
Photo by Songbird and Oak Photography. www.songbirdandoakphotography.com

What to Expect of Midwifery Care

Pregnancy, Labour & Delivery, and Post-partum
Prenatal

PRENATAL CARE

Evidence based, client centered-care.

Prenatal visits are offered every 5 weeks until the third trimester and then every 3 weeks. Once you reach 36 weeks pregnant, we meet weekly until your baby is born.

At each appointment we take your blood pressure, listen to the fetal heart and do a belly check. Our appointments are 30 minutes to allow time to address your individual concerns and answer any questions. We believe in providing you with up-to-date evidence-based information and supporting your informed choices regarding your care.

Photo by Songbird and Oak Photography
prenatal

LABOUR AND DELIVERY

Midwives deliver.

Whether you deliver at home or in the hospital, midwives typically join you once your labour is established. Established labour is also called “active” labour. Midwives are present for active labour, the birth of your baby and in the immediate postpartum.

If you deliver in the hospital, nurses will care for you and the midwife will see you every day until you are discharged. If you deliver at home, the midwife will check on you within 24 hours of your birth.

Photo by Songbird and Oak Photography

POSTPARTUM CARE

We care for you and your new baby up to 6 weeks after delivery.

In the first week after your baby arrives, we will see you in your home. This allows you to focus on getting to know your baby and recovering. We can support you with your feeding choices and newborn care as well as any challenges that arise. We will monitor you and your baby’s health and promote healthy postpartum adjustment.

After the first week, we continue our health checks in the clinic at 2, 4 and 6 weeks after birth. At six weeks postpartum you and your baby will transfer back to your family doctor.

Photo by Songbird and Oak Photography

REQUEST FOR CARE:

If you are looking for a midwife for your current pregnancy, please fill out the new client intake form below. The information you share will be used to contact you if we can accommodate your estimated due date. Please provide the best number to reach you.

We will email or call you if we can accommodate your request. Please add info@oceansidemidwives.ca to your contact list. Thank you.
Intake Form
Oceanside midwifery

Contact Us

Serving Oceanside Communities from Qualicum to Lantzville.

 Unit# 106, 198 Island Highway East, Parksville, B.C. V9P 2G3
located in Seaview Center, enter on Weld street 

Oceanside Midwifery 
 ph#: 250-937-9411
Fax: 250-741-1293

info@oceansidemidwifery.ca

By Appointment Only. Tuesdays, Thursdays 10-4