Care
Caring and loving Midwifery care
from registered midwives on Vancouver Island.
Why choose a midwife?
How is Midwifery Care Different?
How do midwives work with other health care professionals?
Choosing a home birth or hospital birth
For some women home provides the perfect place to relax — a key component to having a natural labour and birth. Massage, water and relaxation techniques are just a few methods used to help women cope with the challenges of labour. Home provides more opportunity in regards to other choices such as candles, nourishment, sibling attendance, privacy, and water birth.
Many women on the other hand feel more at ease in the hospital and plan their birth there. One of the main differences at the hospital is the availability of various medications for pain control should that be desired. Most hospitals provide equipment such as CD players, showers & tubs to help moms relax.
Regardless of where a woman chooses to give birth the midwife will provide the same attentive care. It is important for the woman to choose the environment where she feels most comfortable and relaxed. Flexibility is always encouraged as birth is unpredictable and plans may need to change due to circumstances. On occasion babies come quickly and there isn’t time for transport, and at other times labour is not progressing effectively, and we need to transfer to the hospital because help is warranted. The important thing is for each and every woman to feel respected and empowered, so that she can give birth safely and with dignity.
What is informed choice?
Midwives will present their clients with many options for maternity care. During appointments the midwife will provide current information on several tests and procedures that are available. Each client will choose which course of care is best suited to their individual situation. This is one of the reasons midwifery care becomes so personalized. Informational handouts are often used to present information, and further discussion is encouraged at home. Longer appointments ensure there is always time for conversation. Midwives are the only health care professional that can offer a client the choice of birth setting, as they routinely deliver babies at home and in the hospital. See the informed choice documents on the main page for information on:
For more information on midwifery, contact us for a consult visit or look to the links page for other midwifery organizations.