After your baby is born

+ Post partum care: what to expect after discharge from hospital

  • Hospital discharge form. Please bring this form with you to your first postpartum visit with your doctor.
  • Family doctor providing maternity care. Make an appointment with your provider for yourself and baby typically within 7 days after discharge from hospital. Sooner if concerns.
  • Some clinics provide these appointments as drop-in weekly Post Partum support groups:
  • Medical Arts Clinic FRIDAYS 9:30 am-10:30 am
  • Lexitor Medical Clinic TUESDAYS 8:30 am -9:30 am
  • Public health (Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Parksville, Qualicum Beach). A public health nurse will meet you and your baby in hospital prior to discharge and connect again upon returning home (by phone or home visit depending on families care needs). FREE SERVICE.
  • Public health nurse available by phone 7 days a week (8:30 am -4:30 pm) if questions or concerns. Call 250-755-3388.
  • See Doula list above. Many Doulas provide postpartum support including daytime, overnight, and sibling care to give you rest or an extra set of hands. PRIVATE PAY.
  • Babies Best Chance: Online resource from a trusted source to answer all your questions about pregnancy, labour, delivery, and having a new baby

+ Breastfeeding

Helpful Breastfeeding Resource

MSP funded Lactation Support Services

  • Nanaimo Public Health. Drop-in lactation support Monday to Friday 9 am - 12 pm. Scheduled appointments available at your request all week (including weekends). Location: 1665 Grant Ave. Phone 250 755 6200 and leave message for call back.
  • Dr Cindy Landy. Lactation medicine specialist (Nanaimo). Tongue tie release. Ask your maternity provider or family physician for referral. Fax referral letter to (778) 690-2029.
  • Sage Midwives. Breast/chest feeding class and lactation support after delivery. Ask your maternity provider for referral.Website: https://www.sagemidwives.ca/
  • Oceanside Public Health. Call for an appointment (monday through saturday) or Drop-in Thursdays. Call public health nurse at 250-947-8242. Located at Parksville Family Place.
  • Group support (Nanaimo and Parksville). La Leche League Canada. Both Nanaimo and Parksville have support groups meeting on a regular basis. Website lllc.ca. Click “find a group/leader”.

Lactation Consultants (private pay)

+ Pelvic Floor Rehab

  • Kegel exercises for pelvic floor weakness after childbirth.
  • Pelvic floor physiotherapists (Nanaimo):
  • Pelvic floor physiotherapists (Lantsville):
  • Nikita Shah. Lantzville Wellness Centre. Phone 250-933-0785
  • Pelvic floor physiotherapists (Comox):
  • Pelvic floor physiotheraptists (Duncan):

+ Sleep

Resources

  • Caring for Kids. Website www.caringforkids.cps.ca Articles “Healthy Sleep for your Baby and Child” and “Safe Sleep for Babies”.
  • Facebook support groups:
  • Respectful Sleep Training
  • Precious Little Sleep

Sleep consultants- Greater Nanaimo

+ Depression and Anxiety Support

  • 24 hour Crisis line. Phone 1-888-494-3888
  • Anxiety and Depression Self-Help. Online resource with options for CBT and Dialectical behavioural therapy
  • Counselling Services
  • Support Groups

+ Nutrition for Mom and Baby

Mom to Mom Nutrition. Provides tips on healthy eating in pregnancy, first foods for baby, and picky toddler strategies. Website momtomomnutrition.com/nutrition/. Facebook group “Mom to Mom Nutrition”.

+ Playtime

+ Car seats

  • Caring for Kids. “Car Seat Safety”. Canadian Pediatric Society explains when to switch from forward facing, rear facing, booster seat, to seat belts in your children. www.caringforkids.cps.ca
  • Vancouver Island Car Seat Technicians. Website vicarseattechs.com, Facebook “Vancouver Island Car Seat Technicians”. Provide car seat clinics and car seat checks by certified technicians to help support you in installing your car seat properly.

+ Vaccinations

These resources are provided for informational purposes only. We do not make any endorsements or guarantee with regard to any particular resource or service. Please provide feedback about this resource list to medicalartsmaternity@gmail.com

Nanaimo Maternity Docs: a group of Vancouver Island Family Doctors who are devoted to providing excellent maternity care.