common questions

What to Expect

No Cost

All of the services that midwives provide are fully covered by Alberta Health Services. If you desire midwifery care and are from out of province and your Alberta Health Care has not been processed yet please inform your midwives or our office administrator so we can ensure you have health insurance in place as soon as possible.

We are currently not accepting private pay clients.

Our Care

Midwives take a limited number of women into care each month to enable us to have the time that we need with our clients to develop a trusting relationship, to answer questions during prenatal visits, postpartum and home visits and to allow for the time we need to care for you during labour and birth. We are available to you by phone 24hrs a day during your pregnancy. At Honeycomb, we mostly work in a team of two midwives. We have found that when working on larger teams we were unable to see our clients frequently enough to get to know them well before birth. We try to ensure you have spent time with each midwife on your team prior to delivery.

Initial Visit

The first visit is usually between 9 and 12 weeks and is usually 30 min long. During this visit you will have an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about midwifery care. Your midwife will assess your medical history to ensure you are eligible for midwifery care. Please continue seeing your physician until you have had your initial visit and have been officially accepted into care. Any necessary blood work and/or ultrasounds will be ordered as needed.

Subsequent Visits

Each prenatal visit is 30 minutes and during that time we will be evaluating your baby's heart beat and growth. We also discuss nutrition, physical and emotional changes in pregnancy. There is also plenty of time for questions.

Labour and Birth

Your midwife will be with you during your labour and birth and for the first few hours after your birth. Midwives support your choice about where to birth - whether you choose home, hospital or birth centre. Your midwife will recommend that you have your baby in the hospital if you develop a complication in your pregnancy or birth.

Home Visits

Your midwife will see you at home in the first week to ensure that mom and baby are well and to provide one on one breastfeeding support.

Postpartum Visits

You and your baby will see your midwives in the clinic 2-3 more times before being discharged to your family doctor at 6 weeks post birth.

Q&A

What is a midwife?

Midwives are registered health professionals who provide maternity care to women and babies during pregnancy, birth, and until six weeks postpartum. As primary care providers, midwives are solely responsible for the management of clinical decisions that are made collaboratively with clients during the prenatal, birth and postpartum period. Midwives can order all of the necessary lab and diagnostic tests related to pregnancy, and are also able to prescribe medications when they are needed.

How does midwifery compare to physician-led care?

When compared to physician-led care, studies have shown that low-risk women cared for by midwives experienced lower rates of forceps, vacuum extractions, caesarean sections, episiotomies, infections, and babies born requiring resuscitation. Women having received midwifery care report feeling listened to, respected and supported. The development of a trusting midwife/client relationship helps women to experience pregnancy, give birth and become mothers with a sense of empowerment.

Are all pregnancies suitable for midwifery care?

Midwives specialize in low risk pregnancies; approximately 85% pregnancies are low risk (CDC). In the event that a midwife identifies a high risk condition that is outside of the scope of midwifery care, a midwife is able to consult or, if needed, refer clients to an obstetrical specialist. Oftentimes, the midwife continues on with care in a supportive or shared care role.

What is the difference between and midwife and a doula?

Doulas do not provide medical care and do not deliver babies. A birth doula is a trained labour support person who offers a wide range of comfort measures during labour and may also provide postpartum support services to assist a new family. Doula services are not insured through Alberta Health Care. If you are interested in hiring a doula you can talk to your midwife about it or for more information, visit DONA International.

How are midwives educated and regulated?

Registered midwives have a four-year university degree in midwifery or equivalent (if educated outside Canada). Once a midwife has completed her training, she is licensed by the College of Midwives of Alberta. Midwives are required to maintain yearly clinical competencies. For more information, visit the College of Midwives of Alberta.

Is Midwifery fully insured by Alberta Health Care?

Yes! Midwifery services have been fully covered by Alberta Health Care since April 1, 2009.

Do I need to see a doctor as well as my midwife?

No. Midwives are independent primary maternity care providers. Once accepted into care, your midwife will provide complete pregnancy, birth and postpartum care until 6 weeks after delivery. Midwives can order all the necessary tests, examinations and prescriptions that are needed during pregnancy. If a non-pregnancy related medical problem arises, your midwife will recommend that you see your family physician for that concern.

Can I use medication or an epidural for pain relief if I have a midwife?

Yes. While midwives are experts in supporting natural birth, we have many low intervention techniques to help women through the process of labour. Ultimately, as midwives, we want you to have a safe birth experience where you feel listened to, empowered and supported. Midwifery clients have access to the same pain relieving options (in hospital) as those clients care for by doctors. Generally, midwives use pharmaceutical pain management techniques as tools to help labour progress, rather than routinely.

What happens if I develop a high risk pregnancy?

Certain conditions can occur in pregnancy or birth that are considered high risk and out of the scope of midwifery care. In this case, a transfer of care to an obstetrician/pediatrician may be necessary. Most often, a midwife is able to consult an obstetrician for guidance on a particular issue and the client can remain in care. In any case, our clients are always an integral part of any decision regarding care.

Can I have a midwife if I have had a Caesarean section before?

Yes. Midwives can care for women with a history of a Caesarean section.

Can my partner and children come to my appointments?

Yes! You are welcome to bring whoever you like; this is a great time to involve and prepare siblings for your family’s new arrival. It’s also a good time for us to get to know your partner and have any questions answered.