Elk Valley Maternity
1501 5 Ave Fernie, BC, Canada

Craving connection with other parents? Wondering how to gain access to local education and support? Bellies to babies is facilitated on ZOOM this fall during the pandemic so that we can all get the support we need from the comfort and safety of home. Email them [email protected] for zoom connection details.

Flu shots add an important layer of health protection to you and your family, and they are now available. Our pregnant patients and families can safely & easily get immunized at our physicians' offices. You can discuss getting this at your pharmacy as well. Here are a couple links to explore your options further: https://immunizebc.ca/clinics/flu#8/50.314/-119.905 https://www.interiorhealth.ca//Seasonal/Pages/default.aspx

One of our team members asked that we share this resource with all of you. One more excellent support for our expectant moms. Check out their Facebook page and their website for resources and programs like the Pregnancy Hub https://www.bcapop.ca/Pregnancy-Hub

Stay tuned to the Elk Valley Physicians page which is regularly updated with relevant pandemic news as it related to our community. Shared from their page: University of Alberta scientists are working hard on creating a 'made in Canada' vaccine for 2021 so we all just need to be patient. Wash your hands, physical distance and for everyone's sake please wear a mask when in close contact, closed and crowded spaces (ie shopping in a grocery store). ... We can do this Elk Valley!

Shared from Elk Valley Physicians: Ultrasound services at the Elk Valley Hospital? Yes please! There are a couple of ways that you can HELP to make this service a reality... 1. Go to https://www.ekfh.ca/donations-form/ and choose "Beneath the Surface" 2. Sign up for the Elk Valley Epic 2020 which is happening this September long weekend. Mountain bike, road bike, run or hike from Elkford to Sparwood and then on to Fernie. Do it in a day, do it over two days but just... come out and be part of a COVID19 friendly event. Teck will match up to $50,000 for all business and community donations made prior to September 30, 2020. Let's do this! See more

Does access to Ultrasound imaging through our local hospital radiology department sound like something we need in the Elk Valley? We think so! Our patients deserve quality care close to home, and this is part of our plan to sustain and expand it. We are in fundraising mode after a lot of time and effort requesting approval for this resource. Teck is generously offering to match donations too! What an opportunity.

Good morning everyone! Please see the most recent official physician update:

An important message from the Elk Valley Physicians.

Our maternity group recently reviewed some reported statistics from the past year of delivering babies at the Elk Valley Hospital. Our patients sometimes ask about about practice patterns surrounding Induction of Labour and Cesarian Births. We were encouraged to find that our rate of Cesarian Section is lower than average in our region. We feel so fortunate to be able to provide quality patient-centered care close to home!

We celebrated a wonderful 14 deliveries in the month of May at the Elk Valley Hospital (It was very exciting!!!), and with that we think of all the parents in our valley who are bonding & supporting feeding with their littles ones even as we craft this post. One of our local public health nurses and lactation consultants was recently doing a conference that spoke to engaging fathers to enhance breastfeeding experiences. She learned of a UNICEF photo shoot from a couple years ago with stunning images and stories of fatherhood around the world. As Fathers' Day approaches we share this with you. https://weshare.unicef.org/CS.aspx

Please share widely in our community!

Are you pregnant and need info about Prenatal classes? Virtual prenatal classes are still being offered at this time. The online course is presented by a certi...fied Childbirth Educator/IBCLC and followed up with a zoom class to review and answer questions. Topics include: Stages of Labour Comfort measures Pain Management Role of the labour support person Cesarean Birth Postpartum Breastfeeding Community support Contact the Fernie Health Unit at 250-423-8288 to register!

Self care, as we know, is crucial for parents. While the pandemic has brought about stressful challenges to our lives, it also provides an important opportunity for self-reflection and growth toward resiliency and emotional regulation. It’s incredible how empowering a sense of wellness and balance can be, regardless of what’s going on around you.

Parents and caregivers of youngsters 3-5 yrs old, click on the event photo to expand the image for more details. How fortunate are we to have such an enriching community?!