FAQs

I’m pregnant. When should I see a doctor?

We recommend that patients come in for their initial visit when they are 8–12 weeks pregnant. However, if you are further along in your pregnancy and you have not yet seen a doctor, it is not too late to book an appointment. Patients who have questions or concerns about pregnancy or birth can also book a discussion visit at any time.

Do I need a referral to visit the clinic?

Yes, you must have a referral from a family physician. Prior to seeking a referral, please complete our Online Patient Questionnaire to see if we can meet your care needs.

Do I need a midwife or an obstetrician to attend my birth? Can a family doctor attend my birth? My family doctor said she doesn’t do that.

There are three different professions that offer primary care during pregnancy and birth in Alberta: midwives, obstetricians, and family physicians.

Midwives offer prenatal care, postpartum care, and attendance at low-risk births, including home births. A midwife must be registered and must hold a bachelor’s degree in midwifery to legally practice in Alberta. Midwifery is covered by Alberta Health Care but there is limited public funding available. Consequently, some midwives may offer private services to patients who are willing to pay out-of-pocket.

Obstetricians (including perinatalogists) are medical doctors who specialize in high-risk pregnancies. Obstetricians are skilled surgeons who are authorized to perform caesarean sections. Patients experiencing high-risk pregnancies should see an obstetrician. Obstetrical services are covered by Alberta Health Care.

Family physicians are medical doctors equipped to meet a broad spectrum of healthcare needs, including prenatal care. Some family physicians are further specialized to attend births. These services are covered by Alberta Health Care. If your regular family doctor does not attend births, you can ask for a referral to another family physician who attends births or to a midwife or an obstetrician.

Millwoods Maternity Care Clinic focuses exclusively on low- and moderate-risk obstetrical care. We attend births and offer comprehensive care during pregnancy and for six weeks postpartum. Our clinic may be right for you if you would like a style of care somewhere between the type of care offered by midwives and obstetricians.

Where will I deliver? Can I do a home birth?

At this time, we do not attend home births. Instead, our patients give birth at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital. This facility meets the criteria of the Baby-Friendly Initiative as set out by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). This means that staff must meet certain standards in caring for birthing patients and their infants, including encouraging skin-to-skin bonding immediately after birth, facilitating “rooming-in” for parents and their babies, and providing breastfeeding support.

I’m not pregnant but I need a family doctor. Can I become a patient at the clinic?

At this time, we are focusing on maternity care and related subjects. See our Services tab for a more comprehensive list. If you do not require these services, you may find a family doctor who is accepting new patients at the College of Surgeons and Physicians website or The Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network.

Can my doctor write me a prescription over the phone?

For your own safety, doctors cannot write prescriptions without examining patients first. Please make an appointment. In select cases, your attending physician, who is familiar with your medical history, may be able to fax a prescription to your pharmacy. There is a minimum $20 fee for this service which you will be asked to pay prior to seeing your physician at your next appointment.

Do you offer walk-in services? Or do I need an appointment?

At this time we provide services by appointment only. If you are a current patient at the clinic and have an urgent concern, please call the clinic; we can often fit you in that same day.

Is Millwoods Maternity Care Clinic a private Clinic? Do I have to pay for services?

Patients who have Alberta Health Care coverage pay no fees for typical perinatal care at the clinic and birthing at the Grey Nuns Hospital.

Regardless of provincial healthcare coverage, we charge a $320 fee for circumcisions. We also charge a minimum of $20 per page for forms, letters, notes for work and faxed prescriptions. Depending on the nature of particular forms and letters, fees may range up to $500. Fees are in Canadian dollars and are subject to change without notice.

Can you guarantee me a doctor of a particular gender?

Patients are assigned a physician based on preference and physician availability. Please note that the doctor who will attend your delivery will be whoever is on call at that time, including residents. This may be a physician of any gender.

What is your masking policy?

We recommend the use of masks at the clinic; however, masking is not mandatory. If you are experiencing cold-like symptoms on the day of your appointment, please call the clinic to reschedule.