Your midwives will help you and your baby with breastfeeding right after the birth. When you put your baby skin to skin it helps your milk production and the baby’s feeding reflexes are stimulated.

Newborn infants have irregular patterns of breathing and they may take several quick breaths followed by a pause; this is a normal respiration pattern and you can expect your baby to breathe 40 to 60 times in one minute.

In the first day after your birth you will experience heavier bleeding than a normal period. You may have some clots that are the size of a plum. Having one large clot of blood the size of an orange can happen, but shouldn’t be larger than this.

In the immediate postpartum (the time right after the birth), your midwives will help to make sure that you are recovering as expected. Rest, hydration and nourishment are all important to this period of recovery.

In addition to providing clinical care during your visits, your midwife can answer your questions and concerns about your pregnancy, preparing for birth, and the postpartum.

Your midwife will provide you with clear instructions about when to page in labour. We plan to be with you during your labour, birth of baby and placenta and for the immediate postpartum period.

Our practice has privileges at Michael Garron Hospital, a division of Toronto East Health Network. If you are planning a hospital birth and in care with us, this is the hospital we work out of.

Your midwife and student will tell you when to page or call once you are in labour. They will assess your labour over the phone or in person to decide the best time for you to go to the birth centre.

Your midwives will do a home visit between 36 to 39 weeks of your pregnancy. During this visit, they will discuss with you how to prepare your home for the birth and answer any final questions you may have.

Midwives are primary care providers who are committed to supporting and helping their clients when a crisis arises that involves their client’s safety. “Over 1 in 10 women report experiencing spousal violence while pregnant.

Midwives are primary care providers who are committed to supporting client’s mental health through the year of care. Ideally, the regular 30-45 minutes will give our clients and their midwives an opportunity to check in about on-going and newly developing mental health concerns.

Our midwifery clients have the option of choosing to give birth at home, at Michael Garron Hospital or at the Toronto Birth Centre. Learning about each option can help you decide which birth location is right for you and your family.