New website delivers for region’s moms-to-be
It’s now much easier for expectant mothers living in Penticton and the surrounding area to choose the type of maternity care that’s right for them.
A new website, Maternity Services in the South Okanagan Similkameen – www.pentictonmaternity.com – lists maternity care clinics, providers and support workers in our region, including midwives, family physicians who deliver, obstetricians, doulas, public health nurses and perinatal social workers.
It also provides information about the type of pregnancy, birth and newborn care they each offer and how to access them.
“Having all this information in one location can help expectant mothers make the care choice that is right for them,” says Dr. Catherine Botting, noting the website includes information for expectant mothers in communities such as Peachland and Princeton who will deliver in Penticton.
The website also makes it easier for mothers to learn about developments in maternity care in our area, such as the recently opened South Okanagan Maternity Centre, where expectant mothers can receive interdisciplinary care from a team of family physicians and midwife.
The centre also provides training for new maternity care providers such as family medicine residents.
“We’re happy that with this new website, more people will know about all the care options available to them, such as the variety of caregivers that offer home visits, allowing parents to stay in the comfort of home as the baby’s feeding, weight and general health is checked,” says midwife Susie Lobb.
The website was created as part of a larger project, facilitated by the South Okanagan Similkameen Division of Family Practice, which brought together family physicians, midwives, obstetricians, pediatricians, patients, Interior Health and other care providers, to develop a community approach to maternity care in our region.