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Which midwifery services are available?
Midwifery services are front-line services that complement existing perinatal services.
- Comprehensive follow-up for mother and baby, from early pregnancy to 6 weeks postpartum;
- Tests and analyses during follow-up: ultrasounds, blood and urine tests, prenatal screening, Pap test, etc.;
- Group prenatal classes;
- Delivery options: home, hospital, or birthing centre (once opened);
- Postpartum home visits;
- Breastfeeding support;
- Midwifery team available 24/7.
How do midwifery services work?
Follow-up is assured by a small team of two to three midwives who are committed to providing you with the tools you need to take ownership of your experience and adapt to your new role as a parent, whether this is your first child or a new addition to the family! Throughout the process, they will monitor your pregnancy, give you information about care and services, and help you make informed decisions.
The midwives will assist you during your delivery in the location of your choice and will stay with you for up to three hours after the birth to make sure mother and baby are doing well. There will be three visits in the first week, usually at home. Two other visits will take place between two and six weeks after the birth. You can also attend group prenatal classes and take part in various activities organized by the parent group.
Your midwifery team will be available 24/7 to assist you with your delivery, and to respond to any situation that may require an assessment. As needed, the team will arrange for consultations with and transfers to the medical team.
The Services de sage-femme de la Vallée offers personalized services tailored to the needs of women as a whole. Midwifery practice is based on:
- Respect for pregnancy and childbirth as a normal physiological process.
- The recognition that childbirth is an experience that belongs to women, pregnant people and their families.
- The recognition of the diverse needs of women and pregnant people.
- Continuity of care, informed choice, evidence-based practice, and the health and well-being of the mother and baby.
There is always a midwife available 24/7 to answer your questions and address your concerns.
These services are intended for women :
- Who want personalized care and a natural birth.
- Who are healthy, and whose pregnancy is considered low-risk and is progressing normally (approximately 85% of pregnancies according to the WHO)
- Who want to be involved in decisions about their pregnancy and delivery.
Midwifery services are fully covered by the RAMQ.
Pregnancy follow-up
During your first visit, the midwife will review your medical history and previous pregnancies with you, if applicable. They will then decide if you are eligible for follow-up by a midwife. They will explain what is involved in having a midwife follow your pregnancy and deliver your baby, and, above all, take the time to answer all your questions.
The midwife meets with the client regularly throughout the pregnancy:
- Every 4-6 weeks, from 6-10 to 32 weeks
- Every 2 weeks, from 32-36 weeks
- Every 7-10 days, until delivery
The midwife collects routine blood, urine and vaginal samples. The samples are analyzed at the hospital, and the results sent to the midwife. The midwife can prescribe obstetrical ultrasounds and medication, as needed.
The spouse or other significant person in the pregnant person’s life may attend these meetings.
At prenatal appointments, the midwife performs a routine physical examination (blood pressure, fundal height, fetal heartbeat, fetal presentation).
Throughout the follow-up, they will take the time to discuss various subjects such as preparing for a natural childbirth, preparing for your baby’s arrival, and breastfeeding. They will also take the time to answer your questions
Labour and delivery
Two birthing locations are currently available:
- At home
You can give birth in the comfort of your own home with the support and care of a trained midwife.
- At the hospital
You can choose to give birth with your midwife at Centre hospitalier du Suroît or at Centre hospitalier Anna-Laberge, both of which are affiliated with the Services de sage-femme de la Vallée.
The birthing centre is not yet open.
The midwife stays with the woman throughout active labour. They assess the condition of both the mother and the baby at regular intervals, and ensure the labour is progressing smoothly. During labour and delivery, the woman is free to move around, eat, drink and change positions; she may also give birth in whatever position she chooses. For safety reasons, in the event of complications in either the mother or the baby, each birth is attended by two midwives. A birth assistant is on hand to provide you with all the support you need.
Midwives are trained in advanced neonatal resuscitation and obstetric emergencies. They are fully qualified to respond to emergencies and oversee a safe transfer to hospital. Midwives have all the emergency medical equipment needed to deliver a baby safely. They are trained to perform various medical procedures such as inserting an IV and stitching perineal tears.
Postpartum care
The midwife will continue to follow you for six weeks after the birth. The first visit will take place at your home within 24 hours after the birth; this is followed by visits on days 3 and 5.
If you are having trouble breastfeeding, additional visits will be added. The 2-week, 3-week and 6-week appointments will take place at the point of service.
Midwives are available at all times for urgent problems or questions up to six weeks postpartum—a factor in successful breastfeeding and adjusting to life with a new baby.
At each of these visits, the midwife ensures that:
- You are recovering well from the delivery.
- Your baby is healthy and feeding well.
- Your family is doing well.
Consultation with or transfer to a physician in accordance with the regulation on mandatory consultations and transfers
Midwifery in Québec is governed by the Midwives Act and by the Regulation respecting cases requiring consultation with a physician or transfer of clinical responsibility to a physician. This regulation lists the reasons why a midwife is required to consult or transfer, for both mother and baby, during pregnancy, delivery and the postpartum period.
The midwives work in collaboration with the medical team at Hôpital du Suroît and Hôpital Anna Laberge.
During pregnancy, labour or the postpartum period, if you develop a health problem that puts you or your baby at risk, the midwife will transfer you to a physician.
OLO program
The OLO program provides low-income pregnant women with food staples, such as eggs, milk, frozen vegetables and prenatal vitamins[AB1] , to help them eat well and increase their chances of delivering a healthy baby.
Help for parents - SIPPE program
Professional follow-up tailored to the needs of low-income future parents with no high school or vocational diploma, or who are socially isolated, is available on a case-by-case basis. Home visits are carried out.
Prenatal classes
Our team of midwives and birth assistants offers prenatal classes to help you prepare for a natural childbirth, the arrival of your baby, and breastfeeding.
Ma grossesse service
The Ma grossesse service gives pregnant women living in Québec access to the information and professionals they need during their pregnancy. https://www.quebec.ca/magrossesse
Contact
For questions about midwifery services:
- Address: 181 rue Victoria, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield
- Telephone: 450-377-7303, ext. 0
- inscription_sage-femme.cisssmo16@ssss.gouv.qc.ca