Midwife Referral

So: You’ve been working closely with a midwife, and they’ve suggested that part of your journey should include seeing a pelvic health physiotherapist. Maybe you want to learn more about the changes to your body during pregnancy and post-partum, or you’d like to find ways to exercise safely during your pregnancy. Or maybe you’ve had your baby, and you’ve got some worries about when it’s the right time have sex again. Whatever the reason is your midwife referred you to a pelvic health physio, know this: As part of a collaborative approach to supporting you through pregnancy, you’ve been sent to an expert who can give you the best possible information. Think of it like a circle of care, with you in the middle, surrounded by a team of people who are here to answer all your questions.

 If you are referred by your midwife to a pelvic health physio like me, your experience may look something like this: At our first appointment, we’d go through your medical history (thoroughly - no glossing over your concerns here!), and have a chat about your needs, wishes and expectations for your pregnancy and delivery. Do you want a vaginal delivery, for example, with or without medication? Is the plan to have a C-section? Are you going to bottle-feed, and want to learn the most ergonomic position to do it? Whatever your goals are, I’m there to support you and work towards them together. If your partner would like to be there, and you’re comfortable with that,  they’re very welcome too.

Next, I’ll run you through what I can (and can’t!) offer you, and we’ll chat through all the potential options for your unique scenario. You get to choose what feels right for you, and we make a plan from there. If it’s needed, I will also examine you - with all the safety precautions in place - and share any information that I may have gathered from that observation. I might also provide some targeted advice for your concerns or wishlist, like writing up a personalised exercise plan, or showing you some movements to help alleviate pain in your hips caused by pregnancy.

Afterwards, I’ll share all of this with your midwife. It’s so important that everyone caring for you is on the same page, and I love working together with other healthcare professionals to make sure your needs and wishes are being met. In fact, working closely with midwives is actually something I’m really passionate about, which is why I’m stoked to be setting up a space in the Strathcona Midwifery Collective in historic Chinatown Vancouver. I specifically wanted to partner with Strathcona Midwifery Collective because I specialise in providing safe, welcoming care for gender-diverse and transgender people, and they have a strong connection to Vancouver’s LGBTQ+ community.