Maternal-Child Services
at The Brantford General Hospital

Click here for information on:

Facts about Midwives     Community Midwives of Brantford     How to contact us

CHOICES IN PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH AT BGH

What is a midwife?

"Midwives are qualified health professionals who provide care to healthy women throughout pregnancy, labour, and the first six weeks after the birth, and to their newborn infants. They provide counselling and teaching, and they monitor the health of the mother and baby. Midwives provide care in the community as well as in hospitals and clinics.

Facts about midwifery in Ontario

• We are primary care providers. This statement means that you can have midwifery care without a doctor's referral. We can order any tests or screens that are related to pregnancy (eg. ultrasounds, blood work, urine testing, Maternal Serum Screen etc.)
• Midwives are fully recognized health care providers and have been legal since 1994.
• Practising midwives belong to the College of Midwives which sets standards and education requirements. The College of Midwives has developed a list of guidelines for mandatory discussion, consultation and transfer of care.
• Midwifery care is covered by your Ontario health card. You do not pay for a midwife.
• Midwives are responsible for the care of healthy mothers and babies up to six weeks postpartum
• Midwives attend women who choose either home or hospital as their preferred place of birth; midwives have independent hospital privileges and can admit and discharge healthy mothers and babies.
• Midwifery care is well suited to women who want to receive a lot of information about their pregnancy so that they can be actively involved in decisions about their care.
• Midwifery care is well suited to women who want to have a caregiver that they know at their birth.

Information about Community Midwives of Brantford (CMOB)

There are three midwives presently at CMOB:
 Kathy Penczak, Crystal Hall, and Karin Terpstra.

You will meet at least two midwives during your prenatal appointments. One will be your "primary midwife" who is the most responsible for your care. She is the person you will see the most during your pregnancy, during your birth, and for the six weeks after your birth (postpartum). She will be helped by a "back-up midwife" who you will meet at least once during your pregnancy. One or both of these midwives will be at your birth. Our goal is that you know the midwives that are at your birth.

In general, women are seen once a month until the 28^th week; every two weeks from then to the 36^th week, and then weekly, until labour begins. We can do all of the monitoring and order any of the tests that are needed in your pregnancy. We attend to you for your active labour, for your birth, and for at least two hours right after the birth. After the birth, at least five visits are made to monitor and assist you and your baby. You and your baby are in our care until about six weeks after the birth. Postnatal visits in the first two weeks are done in your home. More postpartum visits happen if they are needed.

We work closely and well with other health care professionals in our community. Presently, we have active admitting and discharge privileges at Brantford General Hospital and at Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation, McMaster Site. We have good working relationships with hospital staff and work together as a team to provide the best care for women, babies, and families.

PLEASE CONTACT US DIRECTLY FOR ANY FURTHER INFORMATION

COMMUNITY MIDWIVES OF BRANTFORD

84 Brant Avenue, 1^st Floor Front, Brantford Ontario N3T 3H1Phone: (519) 751-6444 Fax: (519) 751-9196E-mail: cmob@execulink.com