A midwife (referred to as a hospitalist midwife) will be in the hospital on the AMU at all times and is available for early labour assessments, telephone advice, and assisting in your care. Your midwife (referred to as a community midwife) will support you during active labour, birth, and postpartum. Both will work together to deliver high quality care to you and your family.
People planning to give birth in a midwife-led birthing unit use less pain relief medication, are more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth with less intervention, and experience higher rates of satisfaction with the birth compared to a traditional Labour and Delivery Unit.
As your time with us after the birth is short (maximum six hours), we suggest you limit visitors so that you can recover, bond with baby, and receive the teaching and support needed. Family and friends can visit at home in the following days.
You are welcome to include family members and/or a professional doula as part of your team. We encourage you to bring items from home (pillow, photos, comfy clothes, music, and snacks). Your midwife will give you a list of other items. Our family pantry has a fridge, microwave, and a kettle for tea.
Recovery
During your recovery period, both you and your baby will be monitored while allowing for immediate skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding. You will receive teaching and instructions about what to expect once you are home. In addition, your midwife will conduct a follow-up visit in your own home the following day.
Your midwife will also provide care for you and your baby until six weeks after childbirth.
