The Midwifery Group

My wife, Rachel and I were blessed to have Team 1 consisting of Andrea, Candace, Laurie, Tracy and student, Stephanie involved in our baby’s care. I felt as a soon to be dad, these remarkable ladies never pushed their own agendas on us and supported us in our own decision making process with regards to birth plan. No request or question that we brought forward, no matter how moronic they might have sounded, was turned away. They shared our sense of excitement in our moments of joy and held our hands when our confidence wavered. They fought with the admin. for us to stay in the hospital, when after 48+ hours of early labour my wife wasn’t quite ready to deliver, but was «done» with having another contraction at home. They were there for us when we received news that we would need an emergency C-​section. They held Rachel’s hand and my own in our most vulnerable moments. It has now been a week since birth and we are at home, and we continue to receive visits from Team 1 to ensure that both mama and baby are ok.
I might sound a little biased in writing this review but having a team of advocates, hand holders, and birth gurus in our corner was exactly what my wife and I needed. So thank you Laurie and Candace for being quick to visit us at home when mama was going through those contractions. Thanks Andrea for fighting for us to get into the hospital and holding our hands during the birthing process when it seemed like every other couple without midwife support was getting turned away. Thank you Tracy, Stephanie, Andrea, and Candace for checking in with us each morning following delivery to ensure that we were doing ok.
Cheers,
Darren

It seems weird to be posting a review of such a monumental experience, but I want others to know how great the care offered at Midwifery Group is. I had my child later in life at the age of 41, and the reassurance and common sense care I received was fantastic. I had Candace, Laurie and Andrea as my team and they were all wonderful, but Candace was the one who ended up attending at my daughters’ birth at BC Womens. One of my fondest memories of the labour is actually when I would take breaks in the tub, and we talked about all sorts of things, not necessarily about ‘baby stuff’. The aftercare home visits are amazing and helpful. To not have to leave home to have your baby weighed etc at such a stressful and tiring time is a huge bonus! They provide excellent advice on breastfeeding and baby care and offer emotional support that is much needed. If you are expecting, give them a call — they are awesome!

I had my first daughter with Annie and Ruth, back in 2008. Their level of caring is outstanding. I ran into some problems and they were fast to help and be there when I needed!
Nevertheless, I am now expecting my second child and due in a few weeks. As soon as I got the positive test, I called them again so I could get their fantastic care.

I came to the midwifery group when I was pregnant with my first. It was the best decision I ever made! I felt their level of care exceeded what I would have had if I had chosen to go with an obgyn. They also have a nice library you can use as well. I had team 2 (Laura and Jill) and I don’t think I would have made it without them! Pregnancy and labour is a personal journey and I never felt pushed only supported. I had a VERY long labour and Jill was was there every step of the way, which included multiple middle of the night visits. I highly recommend the Midwifery Group.

I had a good experience here with the birth of my second child. The on-​call midwife met us promptly at the hospital on the big day and the home visits afterward were very convenient. However it was often hard to get someone on the phone to make/​change an appointment.
Staff have a good understanding of best practices and advocate on their behalf, sometimes to the point of hostility toward choices such as bottle-​feeding and the use of formula. First-​time mothers should note that the ladies are relatively young and several have no children of their own; you may prefer a provider that has more experience with the early days, e.g., learning to breastfeed etc.

New Dad’s Review:
My wife and I were blessed to have Jill, Laura, and student Jessa involved beginning to end in the birth of our first. Their collective expertise made the entire experience amazing and it was easy to place our trust in them — not an easy feat given the magnitude of the event. For those who aren’t aware, midwifery fees are completely covered by MSP with support continuing well after birth. Parting ways is going to be hard when that day arrives as they were our ‘family’ for a relatively short but intensely intimate moment in time. We feel indebted for ensuring the safe arrival of our son, even when times got tough.
My brother and sister-​in-​law had a similarly positive experience with the Midwifery Group and the group is very well regarded in the neighbourhood if pre-​natal group chatter means anything.
You likely have to live in Vancouver to access the Midwifery Group’s services but I strongly recommend them. They are educated, experienced, certified and regulated with a level of service that you could never price. We are forever grateful!

They don’t take patient who doesn’t live in Vancouver :(
I am feeling discriminated.

Saw team 2 from the start of my pregnancy until the planned home birth of our son. I really can’t say enough about the amazing support, knowledge and care that I received. It was truly a sad day when we had our final appointment.
If we do it again, we will use the same clinic. I have friends that have been equally pleased with team 1.

I have had the good fortune to have had two great experiences with Team One at the Midwifery Group. I had prepared for a home birth for my first child (in 2008), but due to some complications, had to give birth at BC Womens. Candace had been attending for over 24 hours straight. Despite this, she was caring, encouraging and an absolute positive force in helping bring my son into this world. Postnatal care was phenomenal! The guidance I received to help get my milk to come in was exceptional with multiple home visits and phone calls from the midwives.
My second child (2012) was born in the comfort of my home. Due to the rapid speed of my labor, Amelia from Team Two, accompanied Patrice, who ended up catching my daughter. I can’t even begin to explain how well my daughter and I were cared for! We were also given the time and space to bond in the comfort of my own bed, while the midwives completed paper work in another room. Patrice and Amelia were swift in looking after all the clean up, leaving my family to relax and revel in our new family member. Once again, postnatal care was amazing! Tracy had come over, on a day that was not scheduled, to make sure my daughter was not in danger of losing too much weight, as my milk had not come in yet. She also stayed past the end of her shift to teach me a proper latch.
The midwives showed amazing care and kindness. For me, that is an essential part of pre– and postnatal care. And of course, they are full of the skills and knowledge to help guide one’s pregnancy and birthing experience (that goes without saying!). Their level of professionalism goes beyond anything a text book could teach. I would imagine that they chose to be in the midwifery profession for the love of it because it shows! I am truly grateful for my experiences with them!

Like all midwifery practices, it can be tough to get in (I called 4 practices within a week of a positive test, and no-​one called back. It was baby season in Vancouver. I just walked in eventually, and talked directly to the front desk staff). But I had a wonderful experience with my midwives. Great, informative appointments in the months leading up. Amelia was AWESOME at helping us get this baby into the world. And Sarah and Annie provided some amazing aftercare. I cried after my final check up because it was such an empowering and informed method of healthcare, and I didn’t want to leave.

The Team 1 midwives at the Midwifery group provided me with generous and personalized prenatal and postpartum care. I can’t recommend them enough, and would definitely go back for any future pregnancies.
Their philosophy of care is very much to provide the benefit of their knowledge and experience, but decisions are up to the client to make. So you will especially appreciate their care if you are interested in doing research and making your own decisions around pregnancy and birth.
The very best part of their midwifery care for me was the postpartum home visits at 1, 3, and 7 days after the birth. It was amazing to get their care, help and advice on postpartum, newborn and breastfeeding issues without needing to leave the house with a brand new baby!
Oh — book early, as soon as you find out you are expecting. They fill up quickly!

Wonderful group of caring ladies. Can’t wait to have them and their care for any future wee ones I may have :)

I would highly recommend the midwifery group. They provided my prenatal care, home-​birth and post-​natal care. I found the care to be out of this world, particularly the at-​home visits after our birth.

I love this place! They don’t rush you during appointments, they are helpful, friendly and professional.
It was so nice to have an advocate for me when I was in the hospital, especially being overdue. Annie even showed me around bc women’s and gave us a tour!
I am due with my second child and I have the same team of midwives.