NMC offering collaborative care: A unique option of care for women in Prince George
Collaborative care offers you the benefit of two knowledgeable care providers with different strengths, focus and experience. With this option of care, you will be cared for and supported by a Registered Midwife, and a Doula. Registered Midwives are are trained and skilled in providing care during pregnancy, labour and birth, and after the baby is born. Throughout your pregnancy, labour and birth, and during the postpartum period, your care will be provided mainly by your Registered Midwife. You will meet with your doula several times prior to delivery and when you go into labour, you will be attended by your midwife and doula.
Our goal is to provide you with a safe and positive birth experience. When appropriate, we will attend you at your home in labour so that you are not admitted to hospital too early. As well, we support you to return home as soon as appropriate after the birth. Home visits by your midwife and doula will provide you with excellent support in the first days after your baby arrives. Your care will then continue either at your home or at the clinic until your care is returned to your family physician.
Collaborative Care: Midwives & Doulas working Together To Provide You the Best Care Possible
Working together to provide you with collaborative care results in improved client care, continuity of care (if your Midwife is sick or has two women in labour for example) and to provide clients with the best chance of achieving a normal labour and birth experience.
A team approach to your care will assist you in viewing your pregnancy and yourself as healthy and supported by care providers who share that view. Frequently women wish to have as little intervention in their pregnancies and births as possible and see midwives and doulas as the care providers who can help them achieve that goal most readily. Women wish to have the freedom to choose their care providers and choose their birth site. They wish to be in charge of the decisions about the births of their babies. Midwives and doulas are seen to be supportive of this approach.
Although your doula and midwife have training and experience beyond what your spouse may learn from a prenatal class. Our presence frees your partner from the heavy responsibility of being your only support person. Your partner is now free to be loving, supportive, responsive and emotionally involved in the thrill of the birth of your child. Your Midwife or doula in no way replaces the presence of your partner; they enhance it. Your doula is there to support both you and your partner. From simply letting your partner take a break to reassuring them that what is happening is normal, your doula takes a lot of pressure off birth partners, who may sometimes feel overwhelmed. Partners may also feel unsure about what to do. A doula will make suggestions, helping them help you.
At this time NMC works in partnership with doulas in the community, however having a doula is not covered by your Medical Services Plan (although this is in the works!). Instead of setting one fee for all clients, doula care is on a sliding scale of $350-$600. We trust that you will pay what you can afford and will recognize the time and effort your doula has provided you throughout your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience.
NMC encourages you to speak with your midwife and other women when deciding if Doula care will be of help to you and your family.
NMC has many happy clients who have experienced the collaborative care of a midwife and a doula, and they are happy to provide references regarding the care and services that we provide. Please contact us and we will be happy to provide you with their contact details.
