FAQ's About Midwifery Care
Q. Can I see my doctor while seeing my midwife?
A. Midwifery care is a primary care model of care similar to that of a family doctor. It is fully regulated and funded by Alberta Health Services therefore you can choose to have your care provided by a midwife, a family doctor or an by an obstetrician. There are special circumstances where a pregnant person does continue to see their family doctor while under the care of a Registered Midwife such as when they are on certain medications that are prescribed that will be continued during pregnancy.
Q. What should I do to prepare for my birth?
A. There are many excellent natural childbirth education classes available so it is important to review your options early in pregnancy. This can be discussed during individual appointments where your partner/support person is present or during group appointments when available. (In person group appointments have been placed on hold during the pandemic).
Q. Is the use of water and the option of a water birth a choice I can make for assisting with the ease of labor?
A. Absolutely! Water is an excellent way to assist the body to relax. A water birth is an option when delivering at home or at the birth center as long as there are no concerns about the progress of labor or you/your baby’s wellbeing.
Q. How many people can be in the birthing room?
A. Birth is an intimate experience between you and your partner/support person. Although it is exciting to share this experience with others, it’s important to keep in mind your personal needs and wishes during this time. There is also typically another midwife present for the birth (Please ask about special circumstances that may influence these choices for additional support people such as Doula's during COVID19).
Q. What if I develop complications during my care?
A. Midwives provide care for low risk pregnancies and birth and are trained to know when to consult with an obstetrician or paediatrician or when to transfer of care if necessary to an appropriate physician. In most cases you will remain under the care of a midwife unless the complication is serious, in which case your care will need to be transferred to a physician.
Q. If I am birthing out of hospital and need to transfer to the hospital how does this happen?
A. Although the majority of transfers into hospital are for non urgent reasons and therefore will be going via private vehicle, if an urgent transfer is necessary an ambulance will be called. Alberta Health Services does not cover the cost of ambulance transfer from out of hospital births so this would be a cost the client would need to be prepared to pay for.
A. Midwifery care is a primary care model of care similar to that of a family doctor. It is fully regulated and funded by Alberta Health Services therefore you can choose to have your care provided by a midwife, a family doctor or an by an obstetrician. There are special circumstances where a pregnant person does continue to see their family doctor while under the care of a Registered Midwife such as when they are on certain medications that are prescribed that will be continued during pregnancy.
Q. What should I do to prepare for my birth?
A. There are many excellent natural childbirth education classes available so it is important to review your options early in pregnancy. This can be discussed during individual appointments where your partner/support person is present or during group appointments when available. (In person group appointments have been placed on hold during the pandemic).
Q. Is the use of water and the option of a water birth a choice I can make for assisting with the ease of labor?
A. Absolutely! Water is an excellent way to assist the body to relax. A water birth is an option when delivering at home or at the birth center as long as there are no concerns about the progress of labor or you/your baby’s wellbeing.
Q. How many people can be in the birthing room?
A. Birth is an intimate experience between you and your partner/support person. Although it is exciting to share this experience with others, it’s important to keep in mind your personal needs and wishes during this time. There is also typically another midwife present for the birth (Please ask about special circumstances that may influence these choices for additional support people such as Doula's during COVID19).
Q. What if I develop complications during my care?
A. Midwives provide care for low risk pregnancies and birth and are trained to know when to consult with an obstetrician or paediatrician or when to transfer of care if necessary to an appropriate physician. In most cases you will remain under the care of a midwife unless the complication is serious, in which case your care will need to be transferred to a physician.
Q. If I am birthing out of hospital and need to transfer to the hospital how does this happen?
A. Although the majority of transfers into hospital are for non urgent reasons and therefore will be going via private vehicle, if an urgent transfer is necessary an ambulance will be called. Alberta Health Services does not cover the cost of ambulance transfer from out of hospital births so this would be a cost the client would need to be prepared to pay for.
