Ava GabouryWhen my friend was pregnant with her first child, she was over the moon about the prospect of a midwife-assisted birth. She had heard so many glowing testimonials about how they could provide personalized care and a nurturing environment.
However, her excitement quickly turned into disappointment. A lack of communication and feeling rushed during her appointments left her feeling more anxious than empowered.
Her story got me thinking: how many other women might be having similar struggles? This curiosity led the Waterview Vancouver team and me to explore the world of midwifery in our city.
After countless interviews and extensive research, here’s a list of top care centers you can trust.
How much does it cost to hire a midwife in Vancouver?
It costs at least 3,000 CAD to hire a private midwife in Vancouver, but the price varies by midwife.
However, the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) covers most general midwifery services for residents with a valid CareCard or BC Services Card.
How We Chose
1. The Midwifery Group
Address: 3979 Fraser St
Contact details: +1 (604) 877-7766
Operating hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 12:30 PM & 1:30 PM to 5 PM
When we visited The Midwifery Group’s clinic, it was clear how organized they were regarding birthing plans.
They work in teams of two to five, and you get to meet each midwife during your prenatal visits. Plus, they’re available 24/7.
To provide you with genuine insights, we also interviewed some of their clients.
Many of them appreciated that the midwives had emergency pagers and real-time electronic medical records. This ensures everyone on the team is informed about the plan for you and your baby.
Other families praised the flexibility of choosing between a hospital or home birth.
Moreover, their prenatal care is thorough. They monitor everything from blood pressure to fetal heart rate.
However, a few mothers did mention that the appointments with the midwives were too short. It would have been nice if they could have lasted longer than 30 minutes.
I felt so cared for and supported
“I cannot speak highly enough about my experience with The Midwifery Group, specifically Team 3 and the admin team. Throughout my entire pregnancy, birth and 6 week postpartum period I felt so cared for and supported. They made me feel safe and confident in the decisions my partner and I made, and helped us welcome our little one into the world in such a positive way. I highly recommend working with them, it was such a privilege.”
–Karis Bergsma, Google Reviews
Their care is exactly what I needed
“I recently had my first baby with The Midwifery Group and I have nothing but good things to say about this clinic. I was under the care of Team 1 and throughout my pregnancy/postpartum they have been supportive and caring. As a first time mom, their care is exactly what I needed. They also have a great admin team, who are friendly and responsive to all my needs! It was bitter sweet being discharged but I know I will be back to see them for my future pregnancies.”
–Katie Tang, Google Reviews
2. Downtown Midwifery Practice & Breastfeeding Center
Address: 1200 Burrard St Unit 406
Contact details: +1 (778) 990-0300
Operating hours: Monday to Friday – 10 AM to 6 PM
Downtown Midwifery Practice offers virtual prenatal breastfeeding classes and home visits to ensure both mom and baby are well taken care of. No matter whether you’re at their clinic or home, all of their appointments last about 45 minutes.
We met with the head midwife, Mitra, when we visited their clinic. Get this: she has attended over 1,500 births in her 10 years of practice—now that’s a lot of babies!
With someone like her on your team, it’s sure to ease anyone’s worries.
Several mothers we talked to mentioned how Mitra’s calm demeanour made them feel safe and empowered during their own birth experience.
Plus, we heard she teaches new moms the ins and outs of breastfeeding. She helps them plan their breastfeeding schedules, manage milk supply, and offers tips to prevent pain.
However, some families expressed concern about Mitra not being available 24/7.
We felt supported and well-cared every step
“Mitra was a reassuring presence throughout our pregnancy especially during labor and postpartum. We felt supported and well-cared every step of the way. She was also very prompt in responding to our texts and pro-active in her approach towards the entire process. Thanks to her extensive experience and knowledge, my wife experienced a quick recovery postpartum. We would highly recommend her to anyone in search of a knowledgeable and compassionate midwife. She knows what she is doing.”
–Sharath Reddy, Google Reviews
Very knowledgeable, concise and very professional
“Our experience with Mitra as our midwife was excellent. She was very knowledgeable, concise and very professional at our appointments. Mitra was calm and collected during labour and respected our birth plan. Because of Mitra and her advocating for me, I was able to have a vaginal birth and a very healthy baby. Mitra, being also a lactation consultant was also extremely helpful with my breastfeeding success and latching. My husband and I felt confident in her care and would highly recommend her.”
–Ekaterina Riehl, Google Reviews
3. Strathcona Midwifery Collective
Address: 236 E Georgia St #207
Contact details: +1 (604) 558-1701
Operating hours: Tuesday – 8 AM to 4 PM
Strathcona Midwifery Collective is the go-to for trans or queer individuals who are pregnant and seeking a home birth experience.
We checked out their Trans and Queer Pregnancy and Parenting Group, and it was fantastic to see their midwifery service addressing the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ families.
Many people we interviewed felt welcomed and understood. It made it easy for them to connect with others facing similar challenges.
When it comes to the midwives, they’re knowledgeable, compassionate, and attentive. Several families shared how their midwife went above and beyond during labour, providing continuous support and reassurance.
We got a glimpse of their support firsthand in their online Prenatal Infant Feeding Class. They cover everything from preparing your body for breastfeeding to recognizing when your little one is hungry.
However, a few warned us that Strathcona isn’t the best option if you’re set on having an epidural. Their focus leans more toward natural methods, so they may not be the right fit for those who prioritise pain management through medication.
Especially kind and patient with all questions we had
“Taking the time to write about my experience because I was in the care of some amazing midwives at Strathcona midwifery. Stephanie Crouch was especially kind and patient with all questions we had. She took the time even during off hours to answer any messages I sent (she’s a mom of 4 so that’s even more amazing) and I felt very comfortable in her postpartum care. I don’t think enough women know that you can get post-partum care with midwives even if you had an OB/doctor throughout pregnancy. Highly recommend for any new moms, thank you Stephanie and Xanthe!”
–Donna Tran, Google Reviews
Throughout the process I felt immensely supported
“I really cannot say enough good things about Strathcona Midwifery. I had the privilege of navigating my pregnancy and labour under the guidance of Cora and Kirsten. Throughout the process I felt immensely supported, cared for and empowered. Both Cora and Kirsten are incredibly knowledgeable and empathetic, which made the challenges of pregnancy, labour and postpartum much more manageable. I look back on my labour and birth with such fond memories and I have the midwives to thank for that! I wholeheartedly recommend Strathcona Midwifery to anyone looking for extraordinary personalized care! They are the blueprint for exceptional medical care.”
–Jessica Sternberg, Google Reviews
4. Westside Midwives
Address: 303-2083 Alma St
Contact details: +1 (604) 224-0686
Operating hours: Monday to Friday – 10 AM to 4 PM
If you’re on the lookout for midwifery care that has your back throughout pregnancy and birth, Westside Midwives might just be your best bet.
They’ve got two dedicated teams of midwives (green and blue) to ensure you’re never left feeling alone.
Kate, a midwife on the green team, has been delivering babies for over 25 years! There’s also Sonia on the blue team, who helps with trauma-informed pregnancy care in Spanish, German, English, and French.
Plus, they provide support during those tricky first weeks with your newborn.
Several families we interviewed felt genuinely supported. They appreciated having someone to lean on during such a steep learning curve.
It’s clear that the midwives really foster a personal connection, which helps ease those nerves.
Another standout feature at Westside is their in-house pelvic floor physiotherapist. Moms raved about how pivotal it was in helping them regain strength and confidence.
However, if you’re planning a hospital birth, we heard of instances where the birth plan wasn’t always communicated to the attending nurses at the hospital.
Felt so comfortable and taken care of by my whole team
“My experience with Westside midwives was exceptional. Pregnancy can be a hard thing to navigate. I felt so comfortable and taken care of by my whole team. I had to pivot last minute and ended up getting a c section by choice. Thea was by my side the whole time. I couldn’t have asked for anyone better. She genuinely cared for me and supported my decision. She checked up on me many times that day and I am so thankful for her being there. I received so many great tips for breast feeding from Sonia after I emailed telling her I had a clogged duct! She called me and help me walk through different options I had to reduce pain and the remove clog! I was sad the day we graduated because I really wanted to continue to come in for a check in!! All my questions and concerns were all answered with genuine care through this whole journey. I am so grateful to be in the hands of the best midwives in town! I highly highly highly recommend Westside midwives!”
–Shar Dhanani, Google Reviews
Everything was perfect for me and my family
“It was more that we could ask for! it was my first pregnancy and I felt I was in the best hands from the beginning! wouldn’t change anything as everything was perfect for me and my family! my baby was very lucky to be borne with the help of this midwifery team…forever grateful!!! Please don’t hesitate and chose them for your pregnancy care you would not be disappointed!”
–Karla Perotta, Google Reviews
5. Monarch Midwifery
Address: 12420 NW 36th Ave
Contact details: +1 (503) 395-4736
Operating hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
If you’re looking for a cozy, natural birthing experience right in your own home, give Monarchy Midwifery a call.
Several parents told us that the midwives made them feel like their only clients, even during busy periods. We experienced a similar vibe when we went in for a consultation; they answered all our questions with patience and kindness.
Keep in mind, we were there undercover, so they didn’t know we were doing this for research!
During our consultation, we learned that they offer the full home birth package. This includes 24-hour on-call support, nutritional counselling, and advice on common pregnancy discomforts.
Monarchy also provides the option of using a birthing tub at no extra cost. Many moms who had a water birth mentioned how calming their water birth was, making it easier for them to relax into their labour.
Additionally, they offer placenta encapsulation services, which several parents found beneficial for postpartum recovery. However, some felt that the additional fee of CAD 300 on top of their midwifery fee was a bit much.
Once you’re a client, you feel like family
“I went to Monarch in 2022 for my first child and then in 2024 for my second because Brittany and Sam made me feel safe. I trust their abilities to always look out for me and that is why I came back. My first birth ended up being in a hospital unexpectedly, but Sam and Brittany still came to me for all my postpartum visits. I knew that if I were to have another baby it would have to be with them again. For my second birth I was able to successfully have my at home water birth. And I am so thankful. Birth isn’t easy, but with Brittany at my side I was able to do it. I will always recommend Monarch to anyone that wants a midwife. Both Sam and Brittany will advocate for you. They will address your concerns. They will motivate you. They will comfort you. They will cheer you on. Once you’re a client, you feel like family. Thank you to both of you for your presence in our lives.”
–GM, Google Reviews
I was never rushed or ignored
“I’m so glad I found my way to Monarch! At every appointment I felt cared for and seen. I was never rushed or ignored, but always encouraged and felt supported in my own decisions for myself and my baby. I trusted their guidance and have never felt so safe during childbirth. I couldn’t say enough about this team, except that so many prayers were answered in this experience with them.”
–Shalisha, Google Reviews
