Our Mission Statement
At Cardinal Community Midwives, our mission is to provide compassionate and individualized midwifery care to the diverse communities of Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Sherwood Park, and the surrounding areas. We specialize in supporting military members and their families, and we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone—regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, faith, family structure, or economic status—feels valued and supported.
We empower families through comprehensive education and informed choice, ensuring our personalized care honors each individual's unique journey and needs. Our commitment is to promote health, wellness, and positive birth experiences for all families in our care.
Photo Credit: Vannessa Brown Photography
Individual Appointments
At Cardinal Community Midwives, we offer personalized appointments designed to provide attentive and comprehensive care throughout your pregnancy. We typically accept clients between 8-10 weeks but can accommodate new clients up until your due date.
Your initial appointment will be a thorough, one-hour in-person visit at our clinic, where we’ll get to know you and discuss your health and preferences. Subsequent prenatal appointments are generally scheduled for 30 minutes, ensuring all your questions are answered and topics are fully covered. During these visits, we will review lab results, ultrasounds, and any necessary testing, providing you with up-to-date information.
Our appointment schedule aligns with standard obstetrical practices. Initially, we will see you individually 1-3 times before transitioning to group care. You will then participate in five group sessions, one per month. Starting around 34 weeks until delivery, we will see you every other week individually. This approach fosters both personal and community support throughout your pregnancy.
In the postpartum period, we offer 2-3 home visits within the first week, adjusting as needed based on medical circumstances. Follow-up care includes clinic visits scheduled as needed. Discharge from midwifery care typically occurs around six weeks. Our goal is to ensure you and your baby receive continuous, individualized support every step of the way.
Group Care Sessions
At Cardinal Community Midwives, our group care sessions provide a unique and supportive environment for expectant people to connect, learn, and share experiences. Each session lasts 1.5 hours and combines in-depth education with community engagement, covering essential topics such as prenatal health, childbirth preparation, and postpartum care. Led by our midwives, these sessions encourage open dialogue, allowing participants to ask questions, share insights, and gain reassurance from others at similar stages in their journey.
Research shows that comprehensive prenatal care is linked to improved pregnancy outcomes. Our group sessions are designed to enhance your understanding of pregnancy and birth, empowering you to make informed decisions while alleviating confusion and anxiety. This proactive approach helps you feel well-prepared for labor and postpartum care, fostering a positive birth experience.
After each group session, we conduct a brief, personalized belly check to address individual concerns. This includes reviewing lab results, answering personal questions, measuring your belly, checking your blood pressure, and listening to your baby’s heartbeat. This blend of group learning and individualized care ensures you receive comprehensive education alongside the personal attention needed for a supportive and informed pregnancy experience.
Midwife Call Schedules
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At Cardinal Community Midwives, each of our midwives operates as an independent provider, ensuring you receive dedicated and consistent care throughout your pregnancy. This model fosters a strong, personalized relationship with your primary midwife, who will manage your prenatal appointments and overall support.
In the rare event that your primary midwife is unavailable, such as during holidays, another midwife from our team will be available to address any urgent concerns until your primary midwife returns. While we strive to maintain continuity of care, please understand that unforeseen circumstances may occasionally affect availability.
You will also have the opportunity to meet other midwives in our practice during group care sessions. These midwives may step in to cover appointments, phone calls, or births as needed, ensuring you are familiar with the entire team.
A midwife is always accessible for urgent concerns, and you will be provided with an urgent contact number for such situations. Routine clinical appointments, document handling, and lab results are managed during regular business hours, with each midwife setting her own schedule. We encourage you to bring any questions to your appointments or group care sessions, where we will provide thorough responses and support.
Birth Place Options
Photo credit: Vannessa Brown Photography
Home
Home birth can be a wonderful option for those with low-risk pregnancies, offering a unique and personalized birthing experience. Research shows that home birth with a qualified midwife is a safe choice for low-risk pregnancies, allowing you to labor and deliver in the comfort and familiarity of your own space. This arrangement eliminates the need to commute to a hospital, enhancing your comfort and reducing stress during labor and after birth.
Our midwives are equipped with the necessary medical equipment, medications, and supplies to ensure a safe home birth. We prioritize safety by closely monitoring for any signs of complications and are prepared to recommend a transfer to the nearest hospital if any issues arise.
Home birth also provides the opportunity for various comfort measures, such as water birth, which can be an effective method of pain management. Additionally, some midwives bring TENS machines, peanut balls, and birth stools to support your needs during labor. Overall, home birth is an excellent option for many families, offering a supportive and flexible environment for your birthing experience.
Photo credit: Vannessa Brown Photography
Hospital
At Cardinal Community Midwives, we offer hospital birth options for families seeking the personalized care of a midwife within a hospital setting. Our midwives hold privileges at various hospitals, enabling us to provide continuity of care across different locations tailored to your needs and preferences. (Please refer to each midwife’s description for a list of their privileged hospital sites.)
Choosing a hospital birth ensures access to comprehensive medical resources and support while maintaining the individualized care our midwives provide. We work closely with hospital staff to integrate our midwifery approach within the hospital environment, providing a supportive experience for you and your baby. Whether you prefer the familiarity of a specific hospital or require additional medical support, our team is here to guide you through every step of your birth journey.
Photo credit: Vannessa Brown Photography
Birth Centre
**Lucina Birth Centre** – Located on the west side of Edmonton, the Lucina Birth Centre offers a welcoming space with two birthing rooms designed to provide comfort and flexibility during labor. Although the centre is not staffed, you can pre-register for your birth and coordinate with your midwife to meet at the facility when labor begins. The centre features tubs and showers for water birth, as well as a range of supportive tools including peanut balls, swings, TENS machines, medicine balls, birthing stools, and nitrous gas. These amenities support various pain management techniques and position changes. To determine if the Lucina Birth Centre is a good fit for you, we encourage you to take a tour, which is offered regularly. For more information, visit [Lucina Birth Centre](https://lucinamidwives.ca/birth-centre/).
**Rinita Birth Centre** – Situated in St. Albert at the St. Albert Midwives Clinic, Rinita Birth Centre is a cozy one-room facility designed to support your labor experience. It is equipped with a tub, shower, bed, and medicine balls to enhance your comfort and labor options. As with other birth centres, pre-registration is required, and you should contact your midwife prior to your arrival. This intimate setting provides a supportive environment for a personalized birth experience.