The midwife offers complete pregnancy follow-up and meets with the client regularly during her pregnancy:

• every 4 to 6 weeks, until the 32nd week
• every 2 to 3 weeks, between the 32nd and the 36th weeks
• once a week from the 36th week until birth

To ensure continuity of care, you are assigned a team of 2 midwives with whom you will meet on an alternating basis until the end of your pregnancy. These 2 midwives will be on call 24 hours a day on an alternating basis to ensure someone is present at the time of birth. Often, a 3rd midwife will be involved in the monitoring.

During prenatal consultations, which last 45 minutes on average, the midwife performs a routine physical examination (blood pressure, fundal height measurement, listening to foetal heartbeat, assessment of foetal positions or presentations, etc.). She also takes the time to answer your questions, to teach and practise prevention, to explain the different tests offered while observing the principle of informed choice, and discusses various topics, including preparing for delivery and for the baby’s arrival.

Your partner or other significant persons are encouraged to participate in the consultations, during which they can join in on the conversations and obtain answers to any questions they may have.

Often, the midwife herself will perform routine sampling. Samples are analyzed in the hospital, after which results are sent to the midwife. The midwife can also order sonograms. She can also prescribe and administer certain medications.