I’m pregnant, now what?

In BC, registered midwives offer primary maternity care to healthy pregnant clients and their newborn babies from early pregnancy, through labour and birth, until about six weeks following delivery. This includes delivering babies. They practice evidence-based, client-centered maternity and newborn care, as well as birthing options in the home and hospital setting. They have been an established part of the BC health care system for over 20 years, since 1998. The BC Ministry of Health covers 100% of the cost of midwifery services for all BC residents with a valid CareCard or BC Services Card through the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP). Parents can self-refer as no physician referral is required.

Midwives in the Comox Valley work in small groups to provide continuity of care, which means that you are likely to know the midwife who attends your birth. Each visit with your midwife is approximately 30-45 minutes in length. This provides the time to learn about pregnancy, birth and the newborn, and to enable parents to ask questions to make informed choices.

Following the birth visits take place at home for the first 1-2 weeks and focus primarily on the newborn, breastfeeding, and the mom’s recovery.

Midwife practices tend to fill up quickly. If you are interested in having a Midwife, it’s ideal to call as soon as you know you are pregnant, but don’t hesitate to call even if it is later in your pregnancy to see if there is available space.

Midwives available in the Comox Valley:

For a list of additional Registered Midwives visit the Midwives Association of BC website.

In the Comox Valley, you can choose a family physician or a registered midwife as your maternity care provider. Obstetricians do not offer primary care in the Comox Valley, but your doctor may involve them if your pregnancy is or becomes higher risk like twins, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.

In British Columbia, women have options available for who cares for them during their pregnancy. Your maternity care is covered by British Columbia provincial health insurance (MSP) as long as you have a valid BC Care Card.

In the Comox Valley, you can choose a family physician or a registered midwife as your maternity care provider. Obstetricians do not offer primary care in the Comox Valley, but your doctor may involve them if your pregnancy is or becomes higher risk like twins, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.

In the Comox Valley, not all family doctors deliver babies. If you do not have a family doctor and would like to see one with a special interest in caring for pregnant women and newborns you can self-refer. Family Doctors in the Comox Valley perform deliveries at Comox Valley Hospital in Courtenay.

In this initial visit, your doctor can confirm your pregnancy and help to estimate your due date. Your doctor may order a dating ultrasound (done around 8–12 weeks) to confirm your due date and order some initial lab work. At this time your doctor can also assess any risk factors you may have in this pregnancy.

If you choose a family doctor to be your Maternity Care Provider, you can expect:

• comprehensive care for both pregnancy and other medical conditions (new or pre-existing),
• availability on-call 24 hours per day throughout pregnancy and after the birth of your baby,
• breastfeeding support and well-baby care for your newborn,
• collaboration with other care providers and community supports including public health nursing, obstetricians, and paediatricians as needed,
• referral back to a family doctor at approximately 6 weeks postpartum.  If you do not have a family doctor, your Maternity Care Provider can help you find one.

Maternity Care Providers available in the Comox Valley: