1. How do I get a Midwife?
Fill out an intake form by selecting the button and our office will contact you in approximately one week to confirm there are midwives available for you and welcome you to care. You do not need a referral from your family doctor to apply for midwifery care.
2. Are midwives covered by OHIP or do I need to pay out of pocket?
Midwifery care is completely covered by OHIP and of no charge to you if you have a valid OHIP card. In some cases midwives can provide care to women who are residents of Ontario but may not yet have OHIP coverage.
3. Can I still have my family doctor involved in my pregnacy?
As midwives are primary care providers, they will be the only care provider you need to see for pregnancy care, labour and birth, and postpartum up to 6 weeks. Your family doctor is not to continue with your pregnancy management, however they will stay involved in your health in all other non-pregnancy related concerns. Your midwives may refer you to your family doctor or an obstetrician as they see necessary.
4. Must I have a home birth if I have a midwife?
No, Midwives support Choice of Birth Place and promote clients' choice. Midwives are the only care providers who offer home birth and will discuss your appropriateness for this option as your pregnancy progresses. This means your midwife will discuss the pros and cons of both hospital and home birth options and help guide and support you in your preferred choice.
5. Will a doctor attend my birth?
During labour and birth, the midwives will provide the role of a doctor and nurse in one. They will draw necessary blood work, monitor your baby's heart rate, and assess your labour for progress, as well as deliver the baby. If your labour progesses normally you will not have a doctor attend the birth. In the event of the need for consultation with an obstetrician or a transfer of care, (ie. vacuum, forceps or cesarean section birth), an obstetrician would attend your birth with the midwife in the supportive clinical role.
6. Can I have an epidural if I have a midwife?
Yes! Burlington and Area Midwives is a full scope midwifery practice, meaning your midwives will continue to manage your care if you recieve an epidural. Your midwife will consult with the anaethetist on call who will be the one to administer your epidural. Your midwife will support you through the procedure and continue your labour management and monitoring of the epidural.
7. Which hospital do Burlington & Area Midwives have privileges at?
All midwives from Burlington & Area Midwives have hospital privileges at Joseph Brant Hospital. We have great longstanding relationships with the entire Maternal Child Unit team which contributes to a comfortable hospital environment for you during your stay.