Having a baby in Cochrane?

The Town of Cochrane is a wonderful place for young families with plenty of medical services available for expectant and new mothers.  Here are some of the resources for women who find themselves in the family way.

Cochrane Primary Care Centre

This health clinic has a full range of medical care services including a walk-in clinic.  If you’re new to Cochrane, this could be your first start with a doctor or obstetrician who will care for you throughout your pregnancy.  While there is no full-service hospital in the Town of Cochrane, Foothills Medical Centre is just a 20-minute drive into Calgary and has an excellent maternity department.  It is also close to the Alberta Children’s Hospital should neonatal care be required.  Other nearby hospitals include Canmore, High River and Didsbury.

Cochrane Community Midwives

This organization promotes and cares for women who wish to experience natural childbirth.  Midwives are regulated by the Province of Alberta and beginning in 2009, the services of registered midwives were covered by Alberta Health Care.   A midwife provides pre-natal care, will deliver the baby and provide post-natal care to six weeks before returning patients back to their primary care physician.  They will consult with medical professionals if the need should arise. 

A midwife will also help coach the new mother with breastfeeding and the adjustment to a new life with a little one.

Cochrane midwives are available 24/7.  They have the authority to order bloodwork and ultrasounds, will monitor the baby’s heartbeat, growth and track lab results.   At 36 weeks, the midwife will visit the home if that is where you are planning on giving birth.  They also have a clinic in the Sunset Ridge neighbourhood.

Where the mother chooses to give birth is up to her.  Cochrane midwives have privileges at hospitals in Canmore, High River and Calgary; however mothers who want to deliver in a hospital frequently end up at Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary because it’s closest.

Alberta Health Services – Babies & Birthing

AHS provides a six-week program in Cochrane one evening a week or over the course of four Saturdays at a cost of $140 and $145 respectively.  Registration is online for this program which covers everything you need to know from the first signs of true labour, when to go to the hospital, breathing and options for pain, breastfeeding and baby care plus where to find more resources in the community.

Cochrane Pregnancy Care Centre

This service is for mothers who were not planning on becoming pregnant and are vulnerable or without support.    This agency is open three days a week and helps women weight their option.  The centre provides information on parenting including adoption and other alternatives.  Other peripheral services include grief counseling in the event of a pregnancy loss for both the mother and any involved father.  It also refers women to other agencies for support and pregnancy care. 

There is also a teen health clinic at the Cochrane Primary Care Clinic which provides after-hours care for teenagers who require additional support with an unplanned pregnancy