Midwives regard childbirth as a normal physiological process and an important experience in a family’s life. Midwives respect and support the childbearing woman so that she may give birth safely, with power and dignity.
What is a Midwife?
A midwife is a primary care provider who specializes in low risk pregnancies, labor, birth and postpartum. As midwives are experts in low risk pregnancy and birth, they are trained to screen for complications during this time and will arrange for consultations with a physician when necessary.
Midwives provide care to women throughout their pregnancy (Read more about prenatal visits), allowing them to get to know the care provider who will be with them during labor and delivery (Read more about labor and birth). Midwives also follow their clients and their baby for six weeks after the birth (Read more about postpartum).
Who We Serve?
Our practice currently has three locations; Cornwall, Embrun and Winchester. This means that we serve the townships of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. This includes the following boundaries: South of the St-Lawrence River, North of the 417 and Hwy 8, West of the 416 and East of the Quebec boundary.
If you are unsure whether you fall within our catchment area, please contact our clinic.
Choice of Birth Place
Choosing a midwife does not necessarily mean choosing a home birth. Although we do offer home births to clients in our catchment area, Gentle Beginnings midwives also hold privileges at the Cornwall Community Hospital and the Winchester District Memorial Hospital.
Cost
Midwives are part of the Ontario healthcare system. This means that all our services are fully funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care for any pregnant person living in Ontario.