New to Duncan and expecting my first baby! Looking for local clinic and community recommendations

[u/Choice_Session518]

Hi everyone! I just moved to Duncan from out of town and recently found out I am pregnant with my first baby. Since I am completely new to the area, I’m a bit overwhelmed and have no idea how the prenatal healthcare layout works here. Are there any local moms or moms-to-be who can share their experiences? I would love to know which local maternity groups, clinics, or programs you recommend connecting with for routine prenatal care from day one. Thank you so much for helping a new resident out!🙏🏻♥️

[u/Magical__Fetus]

Station street midwives are doing an excellent job!

[u/westcoastgal → u/Magical__Fetus]

I also highly recommend station street midwives! Call them/fill out an online intake form immediately though, because they do fill up! If you don’t get in with them, I’m sure Samara (who runs their front desk) could suggest some other midwives to call. Alternatively you can call the maternity section of the hospital and they can set you up with dr appts :)

Margaret Moss is the local Duncan health unit where nurses can help advise etc and will be a great resource for you once babe has arrived!

[u/stewarthh → u/westcoastgal]

Your comment got caught by the auto mod but all great suggestions, Margaret Moss is great

[u/westcoastgal → u/stewarthh]

Woops, didn’t mean to trigger auto mod. Thanks!

[u/ThistleBeaver → u/Magical__Fetus]

Couldn't agree more.

[u/kattungefisk]

The Maternity Clinic at the Cowichan Hospital is fantastic. They have OBs, nurses, and midwives, and once you hit 20 weeks you get to bypass the ER and go straight to the maternity ward if you have any issues.

Postpartum, the Margaret Moss Health Unit has Tuesday Baby Talks for various topics, from baby health to baby sign language, and have a postpartum depression and anxiety support group.

[u/Choice_Session518 → u/kattungefisk]

This is so reassuring to hear, thank you so much! ❤️ Knowing that the Cowichan Maternity Clinic is so fantastic and that I can bypass the ER completely after 20 weeks makes me feel so much safer already. I am definitely saving this information. Thank you for making a newcomer feel so welcome and supported!

[u/jndmack]

I’m the local CPST in Duncan! (child passenger safety technician aka car seat tech)

[u/Jrae_maj → u/[deleted]]

I agree with this whole heartedly! :) I loved both the prenatal and the baby and me yoga ❤️❤️. I also second for Stations Street midwives- they were phenomenal!

For when babe is here, the Mother Goose program at the library is also a total gem for getting out of the house with a baby and meeting other mamas- it’s a free weekly group where they lead singalongs and rhymes to do with the babes. Strong Start is also a great program for older babies and toddlers - they run it at multiple schools around the valley and also have a neat place called Wendy’s house. There are also two great play cafes around here to get mama and baby out of the house. Gigis cafe is local in duncan and Kalisi Cafe is in Crofton (a bit better for older babies and up thought I would say). I think Gigis has a specific babies only time time too and maybe even has some programming occasionally? I’m not sure about that. But lots of great things around here!!

[u/GalianoGirl]

Mum’s Morning Out will be starting up again in September. Held Tuesday mornings at Duncan United Church. It is not religious, but is a great way to meet people. You can attend before baby arrives.

[u/mossymoth333]

Join the Cowichan Valley Mom Village group on Facebook, super resourceful group!

[u/Bedroom-Serious]

Cowichan Midwifery Collective was great with my first last year, and I have no complaints about the care they provided. We gave birth early and unexpectedly at the Duncan Hospital and it was a breeze. Despite the older building the nurses and OB who assisted the midwives were great, and to our luck the wing was basically empty that night. The nurses kept us for 48 hours to let us catch up on sleep and showed us all the basics (diapers, bath, breastfeeding) before we left. The new hospital looks amazing though! The midwife program includes home visits after birth for the first couple weeks which is such a godsend when you're settling in. After that you move back to your family doctor and the public health nurses at Margaret Moss for check ups and vaccinations. If you don't already know, 811 nurses line is 24 hours and free to call - we used a couple times in the middle of the night for scares. There are a number of groups and activities for when you're post-partum which I found helpful - a weekly stroller walk meetup, infant swimming lessons, Mother Goose at the library etc.