Prenatal Care
Prenatal care is essential for all women
preparing for birth. It allows the health of both mother and baby
to be monitored, and for possible problems to be picked up early
and preventive measures instituted. Prenatal care also gives the
woman and her family education about the changes in her body and
the baby as the pregnancy advances. Our care includes monitoring blood pressure, fetal
growth, heart rate and position, urinalysis and the general health
of mother and baby. We see all clients at least once a month until
the twenty-eighth week, every second week until the thirty-sixth
week, and once a week thereafter until the baby is born. If you
developed any complications in a previous pregnancy, we request
that you obtain records of your birth from the midwife or physician
who provided you care. We will arrange or do your blood work and
any other relevant test during the prenatal period after discussion
with you.
For couples planning home births the midwives
will visit your home to become familiar with the location, to
meet others who are expected to be present at the birth, and to
answer any questions that anyone attending the birth may have.
Your family and friends are welcome to attend clinic visits with
you. If you are planning to have your children at your birth,
we suggest you bring them to meet us.
Labour and Birth
For each client, we work in a team that includes
two registered midwives, and a midwifery student. Our care throughout
labour includes monitoring labour progress, maternal vital signs,
fetal heart rate and position, providing perineal support, delivering
the infant and placenta, suturing if required, examining the newborn,
assessing involution of the uterus and maternal condition. Following
the birth we help with breastfeeding, provide emotional support
and give information and guidance to the family. In situations
where birth plans change, we continue to provide parents with
information about their options and give support in making decisions.
Midwives attend women giving birth at home and the hospital. The
hospital our practice has privileges at is North York General.
Postnatal Care
After the birth we remain with the mother until
we are reasonable certain that all is well with both mother and
infant; usually 2-4 hours. Should any subsequent problems arise,
we are always available by pager. Postnatal instructions are given
to parents after the birth. After the birth your midwives will
visit you at home usually on days one, three and five. Between
days ten and fourteen we will see you again either at home or
in the clinic depending on your particular circumstance. The last
two visits are between three and four weeks and at six weeks postpartum.
We provide vitamin K, erythromycin eye treatment, and PKU testing
for newborns. if Rh immunoglobulin (Rhogam) is necessary we will
notify you and make appropriate arrangements for its administration.
Prenatal Classes
Classes are strongly recommended for all the
first time clients with their partners or other support person.
We offer classes through our office, but can also give you information
on other options in the community. Classes cover risk assessment,
nutrition, normal labour and delivery, relaxation and breathing
techniques, complications and emergencies, psychological concerns,
postpartum issues, breastfeeding and early parenting. Classes
are not covered by OHIP.
|
