How and When to Page Your Midwife

PAGER NUMBER

416-609-0010

Common reasons to page your midwife: [urgent pregnancy related concerns]

If you are considering going to the hospital; please page your midwife FIRST
Vaginal bleeding more than 2 teaspoons
- Note: light bleeding (spotting) after an internal vaginal exam or sexual intercourse may be normal
Severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
Severe headaches, dizziness or visual disturbances (blurred vision, black spots, or white spots)
Less than 6 baby movements in 2 hours (after 28 weeks of pregnancy)
Fever greater than 38⁰C or 100.4⁰F
Signs of labour before 37 weeks (preterm labour)
Water breaks (note the colour, time, and smell)
Contractions, menstrual like cramps, low back pain

Common reasons to call the office: [non-medical/administrative concerns]

The office is staffed Monday to Friday 9-5 and can be reached at 416-609-8187
To book, change or inquire about an appointment
To talk to a midwife about a non urgent matter (like routine ultrasound and lab results)
PLEASE DO NOT PAGE FOR THESE ADMINISTRATIVE REASONS (unless instructed otherwise) AS MIDWIVES COULD BE SLEEPING OR MANAGING AN EMERGENCY AT ANY TIME OF DAY

How to page your midwife:

Dial the central paging number 416-609-0010 and listen to the message
Choose the appropriate option by pressing the option number on the telephone keypad
Your call will be redirected to the correct midwife on your team
To reach your midwife or their pager voicemail please leave: your 10-digit phone number, name and a brief message using a clear voice
Wait 10 minutes and if you have not received a call from your midwife, PAGE AGAIN
In the rare event you are not able to contact any midwife. Please call the hospital 416-495-2531 and request they contact us on your behalf

DIAL 1 for TEAM A

Mehrnaz Azad / Bruna Almeida/Laurie Hintzen/Valerie Downer

WHEN TO PAGE YOUR MIDWIFE AFTER THE BABY IS BORN

If your baby is blue or gray in the face or chest, please call 911 and try to get the baby to cry by rubbing their back or changing their position, Then page us.

PLEASE PAGE 416-609-0010 IMMEDIATELY IF:

BABY

Has not urinated or had a bowel movement in the first 24 hours of life
Has a fever higher than 37.4⁰C even after removing a blanket or layer of clothing
- Note: normal temperature under the armpit should be 36.5 - 37.4⁰C
Is continuously breathing rapidly or grunting
Is very sleepy and cannot be woken to feed after 6 hours
Appears yellow in the first 24 hours
Is vomiting (forceful throwing up of stomach contents) after every feed
- Note: Spitting up (easy flow of stomach contents out of the mouth) is normal
Skin around the umbilical cord is red, swollen or hot to the touch, oozing pus or foul smelling discharge

YOU

Bleeding is heavy enough that you soak through a maternity pad in half an hour or you pass a blood clot bigger than the size of your fist
Bleeding smells foul
- Note: normal bleeding should smell like menstruation/a period
Have a fever higher than 38⁰C
Have a sore, red, hot tender area on your leg (especially lower leg or calf)
Uterus/lower abdomen is very painful to the touch
Are feeling depressed, very anxious or unhappy, crying without a reason, cannot sleep or eat
Are feeling sick, have headaches, dizziness and visual disturbances

We cannot list every condition or concern here, please don’t hesitate to page even if something is not listed here; however, please be sure to also take a look at the laminated sheets in your midwife folder that describe normal newborn and mother care.

When to Page After Birth