South Community Birth Program - Vancouver BC midwife - Doula



Question: Who Are We?

Answer: We are a team of family physicians, registered midwives, community health nurses and doulas working together to offer you complete care during your pregnancy, labour and the birth of your baby, and postpartum care up to six weeks.


Question: How South Community Birth Program Works

Answer: Your first appointment is a one-on-one session with a family physician or midwife to see if SCBP is right for you. Following 2-3 more private visits, you will be invited to join our Centering Pregnancy (CP) group care sessions with 10-12 other women due to have their babies around the same time as you. You can also choose to continue with one-on-one prenatal care.


Question: How often will I see my doctor/midwife?

Answer: You will see the doctor/midwife once a month for the first 5 months, and then twice a month until you give birth to your baby. These visits take place during your participation in the CP groups or are booked privately for one-on-one care. The CP group meets on the same day and time for 2 hours throughout your pregnancy. Since you know well ahead of time when your group will meet, you can plan your schedule around these times well in advance. Your support people (husbands, partners, family members, etc) are welcome to join you at the CP groups or at your prenatal visits.


Question: Can I still see my regular physician?

Answer: Once you enter the SCBP, all your maternity care will be provided by our doctors/midwives. You will continue to see your family physician for care unrelated to your pregnancy, such as a sprained wrist or for a pre-existing condition (i.e. allergies).

We provide postpartum care up to six weeks after you have your baby. You will return to your own family doctor after your postpartum care is completed.


Question: How flexible are Appointment times?

Answer: We offer a range of appointment times to meet your needs, including morning, late afternoon and evening appointments.


Question: What Makes Our Care Different?

Answer: You will be cared for and supported by a team of doctors, midwives, nurses and doulas. The doctors and midwives are trained and skilled in providing care during pregnancy, labour and birth, and after the baby is born. Our program is a shared care model so you will receive care from both doctors and midwives throughout your pregnancy, labour and birth and postpartum period. You will have either a doctor or midwife when your baby is born. Our goal is to give you a safe and positive birth experience. When appropriate, we will support you to stay at home as long as possible in early labour and return to your home to check up on you and your baby if you leave the hospital in under 24 hours following the birth. Home and clinic visits by the community health nurses (CHN) and your doctor/midwife will provide you with excellent support in the first seven days after your baby arrives.

When your labour begins, the Doula usually comes to your home in early labour or may join you when you are admitted to the hospital. During labour, you will be supported by your doula and she keeps in regular contact with the doctor or midwife on call. Your doctor/midwife may check on you at home during labour and when you are ready, will admit you to the hospital.

The SCBP is now offering a postpartum and breastfeeding support drop-in clinic every Monday from 1:00pm to 4:30pm. Our community health nurse, Kirsten Jackson, is available to help families with postpartum concerns or breastfeeding problems.


Question: What Does a Midwife Do?

Answer: Midwives, like family physicians, are primary care providers trained and skilled in providing care during pregnancy, labour and birth, and the postpartum period. Our program is a shared-care model so you will receive care from both physicians and midwives throughout your pregnancy, labour and birth and postpartum. You will have either a midwife or physician with you when you give birth to your baby.


Question: What is a Doula?

Doulas are trained childbirth attendants who provide women with continuous physical and emotional comfort and support throughout childbirth. Whether it is a hand to hold, someone to lean on, or words of comfort during the pains of labour, women have been helping other women through childbirth for centuries. The SCBP has incorporated this age old tradition into its services by offering pregnant women the assistance of a doula.

The doula does not provide clinical care, nor does she take the place of your family during your labour. She works with your family members during your labour and delivery to ensure your physical and emotional needs are met. We make every effort to match you with a doula who speaks your language. If this is not possible, a translator will be provided.

Click here for more information about the doula program...


Question: Who Can Participate in South Community Birth Program?

Answer: The program is open to women who live in Vancouver.

We do not accept women living outside Vancouver (eg; Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey or North Vancouver) but we are happy to refer you to another doctor or midwife in those areas.


Question: What is the Emergency Contact Number?

Answer: For labour, birth and emergencies related to the pregnancy, a doctor or midwife is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by paging:

604-875-2161 (please ask for the care provider on call for the South Community Birth Program)


Question: Is there a cost?

Answer: All SCBP services are covered by the British Columbia Medical Services Plan, so there is no cost for women with provincial health insurance. Our doula program is also provided free of charge.

For more information about BC health insurance, visit: hibc.gov.bc.ca