ABOUT MCNS
MIDWIFERY CARE NORTH SHORE (MCNS)
IS A WELL-ESTABLISHED LOWER LONSDALE
COMMUNITY PRACTICE LOCATED AT QUAYSIDE VILLAGE
Midwifery Care North Shore (MCNS) was the first practice to be established on the North Shore when midwifery became regulated in British Columbia in 1998. Since then we have provided midwifery services to over 500 women and their families. The majority of women receiving MCNS care have had uncomplicated spontaneous labor and childbirth. The practice has an approximate twenty-five per cent home birth rate.
Our practice builds on long-term relationships with the midwives, physicians and nurses of Lions Gate Hospital, where seventy-five per cent of the practice clientele has given birth. We also enjoy relationships with a number of Vancouver midwifery practices. MCNS has associate colleagues contracted to provide services at various times.These midwives, like Vera and Brangwynne are accredited by the College of Midwives of BC and hold hospital privileges.
Appointments are routinely scheduled on Tuesday and Wednesday. Our regularly scheduled appointment times are between 9.00am and 5.00pm. To accommodate folk who have difficulty getting off work, we hold one late afternoon/early evening appointment day from 3.30pm - 8.30pm per month. Except for a birth planning home visit scheduled between 35 and 38 weeks of pregnancy and postpartum home visits scheduled during the first week after birth, all other appointments take place in Quayside Village comfy space. Midwifery appointments can be arranged via email info@midwiferycare.ca or telephone (604 984 6960). Messages are checked regularly and responded to within one – two business days. Our office assistant works from home. Her telephone hours are Monday through Thursday 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
Besides individual appointments, as a unique offering MCNS provides an optional weekly post-partum drop in session for women who would like an opportunity to share the joys and concerns of having a newborn with others going through a similar life-transition. This session takes place on Thursday mornings between 10am - noon.
MCNS midwives believe in informed decision-making and do our best to provide a personalized service. We offer prenatal care, birth support in hospital or at home, water birth and postnatal services. While our main area is North Vancouver and West Vancouver, we do facilitate care for women living in Bowen, Whistler, Squamish, Vancouver or Burnaby who are prepared to travel to our office for prenatal and postnatal appointments and to birth at LGH or a location nearby.
The practice has also been a teaching practice committed to maternity education and the promotion of women-centered health care. While a woman's right to decline student involvement in her care is respected, our clients have been encouraged to participate in the vital process of preparing new practitioners to serve more of British Columbia's women. There are now several midwives who have worked as students in MCNS that are currently registered and providing midwifery services throughout the province.
