Midwifery Program
A compassionate circle of care for pregnant people and families of Northwestern Ontario.
NorWest Community Health Centres understands that every client, family, pregnancy and baby is unique. The Midwifery Program provides personalized and compassionate care for pregnant people and their families during pregnancy, birth and beyond.
Our community health centres’ team of professionals are available to support you on your birthing journey; respecting your choices and improving the wellbeing of you and your family.
What Is A Midwife?
A midwife is an expert in low-risk pregnancy and birth. Midwives are registered health care professionals who are qualified in providing primary care to pregnant people and their newborns. Clients that use our midwifery program, usually become very familiar with the midwife who delivers their baby, building a very trusting and comfortable relationship throughout their experience. Midwives spend time developing a relationship with you.
Midwives educate you the choice of birthing options at hospital or home. In any setting, they consult with other healthcare providers when necessary. Midwives provide continuous support from pregnancy all the way through to the first six months after your birth. Midwifery clients usually do not see a physician unless there are concerns or complications.
**Please be advised that our midwifery program does not perform labors and births. **
“My midwife keeps up on my health, checks my vitals, answers my questions, and makes suggestions.”
Level Of Care
Here to support you with a full circle of midwifery care
We provide one to one and group midwifery care to empower people to create,
grow and birth healthier babies. Our services wrap around your personal health care needs so that you can have the best possible start to parenting.
Prenatal, labor and birth preparation, and postpartum supports are designed to help you fully explore your available options and improve your overall safety. By supporting you in your personal decision-making and helping you to access important resources, the Midwifery Program can support you to achieve your best potential as a parent.
Generally, you see your midwife monthly until you’re 28 weeks pregnant, then bi-weekly until 36 weeks, and then weekly until you have your baby. An average appointment lasts 30 to 45 minutes.
Services include:
- Prenatal care
- Postpartum support
- Newborn health
- Labor and birth preparation
- 2SLGBTQI + care
- Sexual health planning
- Reproductive healthcare
- Specialist referral services
- Referrals to inter-professional care team
- Education and resources
Our goal is to offer safer, more family-friendly and personalized midwifery services in a community health centre setting, that focus on your individual health needs and life circumstances.
This program is available FREE OF CHARGE to people living in Northwestern Ontario.
Self-referrals are welcome at any of our sites.