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View additional resources from Airdrie Briar Hill Midwives, experienced midwives focussing on Airdrie and surrounding area mothers-to-be.
Preparing For Birth

The following section is provided to help our patients find further information. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

36-Week Resources

Group B Streptococcus (GBS)
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a bacteria that can be found in your intestines or genital tract. It doesn’t affect adults, however if a newborn picks it up in the birth canal it can make them sick. Approximately two babies in 1,000 will have symptoms of Group B strep infection. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada recommend routine vaginal rectal swabs to test for GBS between 35-37 weeks of pregnancy. Standard of Care in Alberta is to treat GBS positive mothers with antibiotics to decrease the number of bacteria in the vagina at time of birth. GBS swabbing will be discussed at your 36 week visit.

Vitamin K Prophylaxis in the Newborn

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is found in foods we eat and absorbed in the intestines using normal gut flora. Vitamin K is also an important substance that helps with blood clotting. Infants are believed to have low levels of vitamin K due to poor transfer of vitamin K across the placenta, low levels of vitamin K in breastmilk and poor absorption in their gut due to immature gut flora.

Low levels of Vitamin K in the newborn may lead to Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB) in the first 24 hours after birth (early) or between 2 and 6 weeks after birth (late). Risk of bleeding increases with preterm (before 37 weeks) babies and babies born with bruising. The Standard of Care across Canada is to administer Vitamin K to the baby within 1-2 hours after they are born to reduce the risk of VKDB.

Please see the resources below for more information about options for vitamin K. VItamin K for your baby will be discussed at your 36 week visit. Oral vitamin K is prescribed through York Downs Pharmacy in Toronto. It can take 2 weeks for delivery.

Third Stage Management

Third Stage Information
The third stage of labour includes the time after the baby is born up to the delivery of the placenta. There are 2 options for managing the third stage of labour:

  1. Expectant (Physiologic) Management: Your baby will be skin-to-skin with you as soon as they are born with warm blankets placed over you both. This allows transition time for the baby and for release of your own oxytocin to help with birth of the placenta. During this time, your midwives will be monitoring your baby’s transition as well as any signs that your placenta is ready to come. Some people will feel cramping as the uterus contracts as a sign that the placenta is separating. Sometimes we will see what is called a ‘separation gush’ of blood as the placenta releases. You will be encouraged to push when you feel the contractions to help the placenta deliver. Your midwife may assist you to sit up to help the placenta delivery. It is expected that the placenta will deliver within 30 to 45 minutes of your baby’s birth. If there is any concern your midwife will discuss changing to active management.

  2. Active Management: Active management is the standard of care in the hospital and the most common management of the third stage of labour. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, World Health Organization, Canadian Association of MIdwives and numerous other worldwide organizations recommend active management of the third stage of labour to help prevent postpartum hemorrhage. Active management involves the injection of oxytocin into a muscle, putting gentle traction on the cord, and massaging the uterus after the delivery of the placenta. Oxytocin is the hormone that causes contraction of the uterus. Following the birth of a baby, contraction of the uterus helps the placenta separate for delivery. Oxytocin can also help decrease the risk of hemorrhage in the first 24 hours following your baby’s birth. Some people will experience nausea, vomiting and cramping following active management.
Management of the third stage of labour will be discussed during your 36 week visit.

Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV2)
If you have a history of HSV2 it is recommended that you take Valcyclovir from 36 weeks until your baby is born. Taking the medication will help to prevent transmission to the baby during the birth. Your midwife can give you a prescription for the medication at your 36 week visit. For more information about HSV2, please see the link below.

Birth Supplies List

  • A shower curtain or plastic paint tarp to cover the delivery area
  • 2 Large garbage bags
  • Medium sized bowl/ Ice Cream Bucket for the placenta
  • 8-10 clean washcloths, used for warm perineal compresses
  • 5-6 Older Towels
  • Incontinence pads (puppy pads)
  • Soaker Pad (great to use in the bed, and is awesome for potty training a toddler later on!)
  • 2-3 disposable mesh underwear (are nice to have postpartum)
  • 3-5 Receiving blankets
  • Hat for newborn
  • Small bottle of unopened olive oil/ almond oil/ avocado oil (the oil is used during crowning for delivery)
  • Small bottle of hydrogen peroxide (for cleaning if needed)
  • 1 package of long overnight pads (Kotex/ Rael) *note: please DO NOT buy Always brand as they are plastic and can cause irritation after delivery.
  • Fish Net (If planning water birth)
  • Digital thermometer (Vicks or Braun’s are great ones)

Suggested List

  • Homeopathic Arnica
  • Squeeze bottle for peri-care
  • Calendula Tincture

A great place to buy birth supplies is Birth Supplies Canada Inc.

Preparing your Bed for a Home Birth

  • Keep your normal fitted sheet on your bed, then place the plastic tarp on the bed. Put some old sheets on the bed that you are ok to give birth on.
  • Don’t do this until early labour.

Hospital Bag List

  • Outfit to wear in labour if you want (there will be hospital gowns at the hospital)
  • A comfy outfit to wear home
  • Lip balm
  • Toiletries
  • Slippers or flip flops
  • Newborn outfit (undershirt, sleeper, socks, hat)
  • Newborn hat
  • Music speaker if desired
  • Phone Charger

Have the car seat installed in your car.

Breastfeeding Resources

Although breastfeeding is natural, sometimes it takes time to learn. It is a learned experience between both you and your baby. Give yourself grace as you navigate this journey and know that you are doing a great job! Your midwife is here to support, please call the pager if you are needing support with getting a comfortable latch.