This page is for clients who have already been offered care by Durham Midwives.
Welcome to Durham Midwives!
You've been accepted into care, and we're looking forward to meeting you. This page contains everything you need to prepare for your first appointment, including forms to complete, what to bring, and answers to common questions.
What Happens Next?
Welcome to Durham Midwives! We're looking forward to meeting you. Now that you've accepted our offer of care and your first appointment has been scheduled, there are a few important next steps to help us prepare for your visit.
Step 1: Keep an Eye on Your Email
Please check the email address you provided to us regularly, including your junk or spam folder.
We will send important updates about your care by email. Missing these emails may delay your care or affect your appointment.
Step 2: Watch for Your Appointment Re-confirmation Email
Approximately 2 weeks before your first appointment, you'll receive an email asking you to re-confirm your appointment. This email will also include additional forms that must be completed before your visit.
If you do not receive this email, please contact our office.
Step 3: Complete Your Required Forms
The forms included in your re-confirmation email are required for your first appointment.
Please complete and submit all forms by the deadline provided in the email. These forms allow your midwife to review your health history and prepare for your visit.
If the required forms are not completed by the deadline, your appointment will be cancelled.
If you're having difficulty completing the forms or need assistance, please contact our office as soon as possible.
Step 4: Prepare for Your First Appointment
Your first prenatal appointment is longer than most future visits. During this appointment, your midwife will review your medical history, discuss your pregnancy, answer your questions, and talk with you about your care throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.
Please bring:
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Your OHIP card (or other health insurance information, if applicable)
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Any ultrasound reports or blood work results that have not already been sent to us
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A list of any medications or supplements you are taking
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Any questions you'd like to discuss
You are welcome to bring your partner or support to your appointment.
Additional Information & Consents
WHAT TO EXPECT
Your initial appointment is roughly 1 hour and will include meeting a midwife from your assigned team. They will review our model of care and what to you expect by choosing midwives. A detailed medical and family history will be taken as part of assessing your overall health. This will include asking about any prior pregnancies, illnesses, operations, what medicines you’re taking and which ones you are allergic to. We will also want to know if you have any current health issues, so we can discuss if these will have an impact on your pregnancy.
TESTING
In the initial visit we will take your blood pressure, weight and height. We may offer to listen for the heartbeat with the doppler. Sometimes, in early pregnancy a doppler is not sensitive enough to detected a heartbeat, so this will be dependent on how many weeks gestation you are.
Other test that are offered: Genetic screening, ultrasounds and blood work. The blood work that is typically ordered is to to check your blood group and if you have anemia, infectious diseases, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as checking if you have rubella immunity. We will also include a urine test to check for potential UTI's. We do not run these test at the clinic, but you will be given paper work in which you can complete testing at your local lab.
ULTRASOUNDS
We do not perform ultrasounds in office. If you require or opt for ultrasounds in pregnancy, we will provide you with a requisition, where you can complete these at an ultrasound department in the community.
We will calculate how many weeks you have been pregnant and the due date, but recommend that you reach out to your family doctor if you are not sure of your due date. Your family doctor or walk-in can order a dating scan, in which can be done between 7-9 weeks gestation.
GENETIC SCREENING
If you choose to have genetic screening, Midwives can order the enhanced First Trimester Screening (eFTS) and NIPT (through Dynacare at a discounted rate only). For more information on genetics screening please visit: Prenatal Screening Options
PRIOR TO YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT
Please note that we are unable to provide any medical care prior to your first appointment. This includes, but not limited to: ordering tests, providing medical advice, recommendations, or prescriptions.
If you have any concerns or questions related to your pregnancy you will need to follow up with either your family doctor, walk-in or nearest emergency hospital.
If you'd like to start on your prenatal screening before your intake, you can do this You can start your through your family doctor or walk-in. They will be able to order blood work and a dating/early ultrasound.
We ask that you either bring us copies of any test you have completed, or send a records request (found on our contact page) to release your records us.
Follow the medical advice given by your doctor.