Services
At Pomegranate, we delivery primary maternity services as well as other health care services and educational opportunities. We are midwives, massage therapists, acupuncturists, physiotherapists, clinical counselors, instructors, facilitators, learners and clinic coordinators.
Midwifery Care
Midwives are government funded and any pregnant person with a BC Medical Services Plan can self-refer at any time. Our care is comprehensive – we provide all the standard services in pregnancy, birth and postpartum and work together with our medical colleagues for more complex needs.
At Pomegranate, we have several teams of midwives and many of our families live within several kilometers of the clinic. Our model is built on families first – we understand that pregnancy is a life-changing event and we promote your health and wellness, as well as your personal choices.
Did you know that you can have a homebirth with midwives? Pomegranate Midwives also work at several hospitals in Vancouver, including BC Women’s Hospital and Burnaby Hospital.
Classes & Workshops
Throughout the month, we host several classes and workshops that are pregnancy, birth and postpartum focused such as childbirth education classes, infant CPR and other relevant topics. Stay informed by checking out our Facebook page.
Prenatal Classes
At Pomegranate, we have various prenatal classes taught in our clinic by skilled educators to provide you with extra guidance and support in preparation for birth.
For schedules and descriptions, please visit the sites below:
Postpartum Drop-In
Your last visit with your midwife is 6 weeks after your baby is born. Sometimes that just feels too soon! We host a weekly drop-in for our Midwifery clients so that you can continue connecting with other parents during your early days with your baby. This is our way to help you along your way to becoming a confident parent in a community where you feel that you have meaningful connections. It’s our part to keep supporting you and your family.
Our Postpartum Drop-Ins are free for Pomegranate Midwifery clients and their babies up to 4 months old. Join us weekly for facilitated groups, and connect with and make new friends in your community. The drop-in group is facilitated by Morag Hastings of Birth by Bloom and meets Friday between 1-2pm at Pomegranate- 2647 E Hastings St.
…and more
We also have a free store, a lending library, and offer free Info Nights monthly. We participate in or host annual events such as the East Village Halloween Trick or Treat for our clients past and present to visit us! We support local health care initiatives, local businesses, grassroots organizers, the LGBTQ2IA community, single parents and families in the hood. We do all this through the inspiration we get from meeting the families that walk through our doors each day.
Allied Health Care
To compliment your Midwifery care with Pomegranate, you can access care with registered practitioners in Physiotherapy, Massage Therapy and Clinical Counseling. Each provider has their own practice and business, and can be contacted/booked directly through their websites. View our practitioners.
Massage Therapy
Having a Registered Massage Therapist at our clinic makes it easier for you to receive a full spectrum of care during your pregnancy and after. While stress relief has obvious benefits for you, massage also addresses other issues that may come up during your pregnancy and postpartum.
How massage promotes wellness during pregnancy and postpartum:
- Supports healthy alignment
- Treats common pregnancy discomforts
- Prepares your body for birth
- Treats discomforts during the postpartum period
- Addresses breastfeeding issues
- Improves lymphatic drainage
- Can help baby turn from breech to head-down and/or otherwise into an easier birthing position
Physiotherapy
Pregnancy and birth cause big changes in your body, particularly to your pelvic floor and core. Learn to regain strength and balance for long term health and wellness.
The physiotherapists at Pomegranate aim to develop a community of people who feel empowered to take control of their pelvic health. Their mission is to support people across all stages of life through pelvic health treatment, education, exercise and community development. They aim to teach the importance of pelvic health — what is normal, what is common but not optimal, and what can be treated. They encourage preventative measures and treatment to improve pelvic health both antepartum and postpartum.
Physiotherapy in pregnancy and postpartum helps:
- Prevent and manage urinary incontinence
- Prevent and manage back and pelvic pain
- Reduce birth injury and shorten the pushing phase in labour
- Prolapse support
- Return to physical activity
Counselling
The childbearing year is a time of vast changes, both physically and emotionally. We have an onsite Registered Counsellor who provides private counselling as well as ongoing group workshops throughout the year.
Pregnancy and the shift into parenthood can be some of life’s most exciting and challenging times. With changes to body, life-style, relationships, division of labour, connection and intimacy, many new parents or parents-to-be can find themselves feeling overwhelmed, anxious, frustrated, or confused. Mental and emotional health of the parents has a big impact not only on their own well being and relationships, but also on the well being of their baby.
Having a support network and access to resources is wonderful, and this can include visits with a mental health professional. Counselling during the perinatal period helps to ensure optimal mental and emotional health of the entire family, parents and baby alike.
About Midwifery in BC
Midwifery care in BC is an integral part of the BC health care system. Did you know that midwives deliver care to over 25% of all birthing families in our province? We work alongside physicians, obstetricians, pediatrics, psychiatrists, nutritionists, and many others to provide the best care for pregnant people and babies. We also believe in the art of midwifery and preserving the learning from generations of midwives who have been catching babies from the dawn of our time.
Midwifery is covered by the Medical Services Plan in BC
- You can self-refer and call us as soon as you know you are pregnant.
- Midwives provide full-service prenatal, birth and postpartum care.
- You can choose where you want to birth your baby, home or hospital.
- Midwives offer the same tests and procedures as doctors in BC.
- You can have a natural birth, pain medication and undergo a c-section with your midwife.
Midwives are experts in normal birth
- Midwives receive extensive training as primary health care providers.
- We tailor health care for you and your baby based on your needs and wishes.
- Our scope of care gives us the flexibility to ensure that your clinical needs are thoroughly met.
- We hold onto preserving normal birth respectfully and through educating the public.
- We believe that outreach — from youth to childbearing age — is the key to spreading awareness of the power of childbirth.