COVID-19 | Durham & Markham Midwives

Updates & Resources

Stay up to date with the changes to our clinic, your care and resources on COVID-19

HOW WE'RE OPERATING

If you have traveled outside of Canada OR have been in contact with someone who has traveled please self-isolate, do not attend your appointment and email the clinic to inform us. If you are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, inform your Midwife by emailing the clinic.

In order to limit exposure the clinic is limiting appointments to the pregnant client/newborn only. Do not bring your partner, children, friends or family members to your appointments until further notice. The clinic doors will remain locked during this time and we ask that you wait in the car until your Midwife is ready to assess you in person.

Mask wearing is mandatory for all in person appointments, in-clinic appointments & home assessments. Please bring your own when possible as PPE for Midwives are already limited.
Here is how to properly put on your mask: click here

You will receive a phone call from the Midwife when they are ready. During this time we ask that you answer UNKNOWN ID as staff and Midwives may be using their personal cell phones to call you.

Remember to wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face.

COVID-19 Vaccine in Pregnancy

Latest Updates & Resources

The AOM supports the latest SOGC statement on COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy , including its consensus statement that vaccination should be offered to individuals who are at high risk of infection and/or morbidity from COVID-19. The documented risk of not getting the COVID-19 vaccine outweighs the theoretical and undescribed risk of being vaccinated during pregnancy or while chest/breastfeeding.

Pregnant and chest/breastfeeding individuals who are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine due to exposure risk, medical status or other circumstances should be able to make an informed decision by having access to up-to-date information about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine (including clear information about the data that is not yet available) and information about the risks of COVID-19 infection for them.

Clinic Appointments

During this time we have adapted appointments to follow the recommendations of the World Health Organization. Clinic visits will be shorter in length.

5 visits until 28 weeks.
(10-12, 15/16, 20, 25, 28wks)

5 Visits after 25 weeks

(32, 36, 38, 40, 41wks)

Virtual appointments are being offered at week 15/16 and week 25

WHO Guidelines

Postpartum visits

For low risk healthy newborns:

1 in person assessment in the first 48 hours after birth to complete newborn screening for clients discharged early from hospital for you and baby only.

1 Phone/Virtual visit on day 3/4

1 in person assessment at 1 week postpartum

Weeks 2 & 6 will be scheduled as an in clinic visit with week 4 done via phone call or videoconferencing

THE CLINIC

Admin staff are working from home at this time. You can email for non-urgent questions or to schedule your next appointment.

The clinic door will be remain locked at all times and the waiting room is closed during this time.

Please wear a mask to your in clinic visit

Please wait in your car and the Midwife will call you when they are ready to let you in for you appointment.

HOSPITAL CHANGES

Changes and restrictions have been implemented at Markham Stouffville Hospital.

Hospital Registration Information:

Visitor limitation is in effect at this time. Clients are currently allowed to bring 1 support person to labour and delivery.

For more information:

Hospital Registration

PREPARING FOR YOUR 1ST APPOINTMENT

We're thrilled you have chosen us for your pregnancy! During these trying times our process for 1st appointments look a little different. Below you'll find steps how how you can prepare for your first appointment with us.

1. Complete the online intake form and client information form (Once you've been accepted). Book an appointment with us through email between 10-12 weeks.

2. Print the paperwork below and prepare to bring these to your first appointment. We ask that you complete as much as you can and you will have a chance to discuss these with your Midwife.

3. The first appointment is an hour in length, however it won't be all in person. Please arrive to the clinic for your scheduled appointment time and wait in your car. The Midwife will call you (*answer calls from unknown ID*), the initial appointment will take place over the phone.

4. Once the phone portion is complete, the Midwife will let you in to the clinic to complete the physical assessment and you'll receive your paperwork for any test you may need to do. Please note we have a visitor restriction in place - no partner's, children, family or friends are allowed into the clinic at this time and our doors remain locked. We thank you for your understanding.

Paperwork

PREPARING FOR YOUR POSTPARTUM HOME VISITS

After delivery and for low risk healthy newborns:

1 in person assessment in the first 48 hours after birth to complete newborn screening for clients discharged early from hospital for you and baby only.

1 Phone/Virtual visit on day 3/4

1 in person assessment at 1 week postpartum

Like the clinic, we ask that clients be masked and on the main level of their home for their home visits. We ask that no additional visitors, family or friends be within 6 feet and all members of the household should wear a mask upon Midwives entering the home.