Important Updates
Updated January 6, 2022
The Covid-19 situation is changing rapidly due the Omicron Variant. Please continue to follow Public Health Guidance for masking and social distancing. If you have ANY symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has Covid-19 DO NOT come to your routine appointment. Please call our office to make arrangements.
Please also remember, the pager numbers are for urgent health concerns. This includes if you suspect you have Covid and feel very unwell (short of breath, high fever etc.) Please do not call the pager for non-urgent questions about testing or self isolating, these can be directed to our office.
Midwives can NOT provide exemption letters for mask wearing or Covid vaccination. Read here for more details.
As of April 23, 2021 Pregnancy is now listed as one of the “Highest Risk Conditions” prioritizing pregnant people for the Covid vaccine. Click here to find out more.
Midwifery during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Rest assured that your Midwives are still available to provide your essential healthcare. We remind you to please come alone to your visits and reschedule if you have any symptoms, even if they are minor. Masks are mandatory in our office, like all other indoor public spaces.
Appointments
Like all healthcare providers in Ontario, we are taking steps to reduce in- person contact while still maintaining excellent healthcare.
You can expect to have about half of your visits by phone or secure video chat, especially in the early part of the pregnancy. The other half will be in person at our office.
Please note the following changes to our in office visits:
- You must complete a symptom screening form before arriving for your appointment.
- If you have ANY symptoms on the day of your appointment, or have been in close contact with a positive case please reschedule.
- You MUST wear a medical mask when entering the office.
- At this time, we are asking that you come alone to appointments. Your partner or support person is welcome to call you during the visit to participate.
Home visits and birth
Yes, we are still providing home visits! Here’s what’s different:
- Your Midwife will be wearing a medical face covering when they come to visit you.
- We ask that you and your support person(s) wear a face covering when we are visiting.
- Due to the fast spreading Omicron variant we have implemented policies to restrict the number of support people at home visits. This is essential to keep Midwives working so that we can continue to provide home births.
- Like with office visits, we will postpone them if you or a family member has symptoms. Please talk to your Midwife if this applies.
Hospital Birth
Like all hospitals, North York General has had to implement many new policies. Some of these are:
- Visitor restrictions
- Mask requirements
- Changes to building access
- Screening
- Reduced food and beverage services
- Additional monitoring and testing for symptoms
The policies change frequently as the situation in Toronto changes. Please check with your midwife for current updates.