Frequently Asked Questions

We believe that many prenatal conversations happen best while walking side by side. Time outdoors encourages movement, supports physical and mental well-being, and creates a relaxed setting for thoughtful conversations about pregnancy, birth, and parenting. Our goal isn't to hike—it's to create an enjoyable, unhurried environment where we can get to know each other and provide excellent midwifery care.

Most prenatal visits include a walk along an accessible trail or park path at a comfortable pace. We'll spend time talking about your pregnancy, answering questions, and discussing topics that are important at each stage of pregnancy.

When it's time for your physical assessment, we'll step into our mobile clinic—a comfortable, private van equipped for routine prenatal care. There we'll check your blood pressure, measure your baby's growth, listen to the baby's heartbeat, and perform any other routine assessments.

Our mobile clinic is equipped with everything needed for routine prenatal care. Blood pressure checks, fetal heart rate assessment, measuring your baby's growth, urine testing, blood draws (if needed), and other routine procedures are all done in the privacy and comfort of the van.

Living in Vancouver means learning to enjoy the outdoors in all kinds of weather! Most of our visits go ahead rain or shine, and we'll encourage you to dress comfortably for the conditions.

If conditions become unsafe or unpleasant—such as snow and ice, extreme heat, wildfire smoke, or severe storms—we'll arrange to meet indoors, usually at Strathcona Midwifery Clinic (236 E Georgia St., Vancouver).

For most pregnancies, walking is one of the safest and most beneficial forms of physical activity. We choose gentle, accessible routes and walk at a pace that is comfortable for you.

If you're experiencing pelvic pain, mobility concerns, pregnancy complications, or simply aren't feeling up to a walk that day, we'll adapt the visit to meet your needs. Our goal is to support you, not complete a certain distance.

You don't need to be a hiker! Our walks are designed to be gentle, conversational, and accessible. Many visits involve a leisurely stroll through local parks or forested trails rather than strenuous hiking.

If there are times when walking isn't the best fit, we'll work with you to find an approach that feels comfortable.

We primarily meet in parks and forested areas in North Vancouver (likely Bridgman Park or McCartney Creek Park) and East Vancouver (Trout Lake Park). The exact location will be confirmed soon.

Indoor visits, when needed, are typically held at Strathcona Midwifery Clinic.

We are a small midwifery team, so we have a more limited number of scheduled walking visit days each week. We typically have 1–2 walking visit days per week, with appointments generally available between 9:30 am and 4:00 pm (latest appointment starts at 3:00pm).

Our walking visits take place in parks in North Vancouver (typically McCartney Creek Park) and East Vancouver (typically Trout Lake park). This means that you may occasionally need to travel to a different neighbourhood for your appointment, depending on which day you're being seen and where that day's walking visits are taking place. We aim to choose locations that are accessible by transit and will provide you with the location in advance.

If you need appointments at particular times—for example, very early or late in the day, or on a specific weekday—or if travelling between North Vancouver and East Vancouver would be difficult for you, our schedule may not be the best fit. We want to be upfront about our schedule and locations from the beginning so you can decide whether the Sitka model is a good fit for your family's needs.

We currently provide care for families living in:

North Vancouver east of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge

East Vancouver north of 41st Avenue

Burnaby west of Sperling Avenue and north of Kingsway

If you're unsure whether you're within our catchment area, please get in touch—we're happy to discuss whether our practice is the right fit.

Most prenatal visits will take place outdoors whenever possible. Your first intake appointment will take place virtually. Postpartum visits will generally be at home.  When indicated, we may offer visits at Strathcona Midwifery Clinic or BC Women's Hospital for specific types of assessments. 

Your prenatal care will follow the same schedule recommended for most healthy pregnancies, although we may recommend additional visits if your pregnancy requires closer monitoring.

Your care will typically include:

• 7–11 weeks: A virtual intake appointment (by phone or Zoom) to get to know you, review your health history, and discuss your pregnancy.

• Second trimester: Walking visits approximately every five weeks (around 13, 18, 23, and 28 weeks).

• Third trimester: Walking visits become more frequent as your pregnancy progresses (approximately 31, 34, 36, 38, 40, and 41 weeks). Depending on your needs and your pregnancy, we may also see you around 37 and/or 39 weeks.

During the postpartum period, we'll come to your home for all or most of your visits. Those first weeks with a new baby are a special time, and we believe it's important to provide care where you and your baby are most comfortable.

Home visits allow us to assess your baby's feeding and growth, check on your recovery, answer questions, and support your family's transition to life with a newborn—all without you having to pack up and travel to an appointment.

If an outdoor visit feels like a good fit later in the postpartum period, we're always happy to meet for a walk, but there is no expectation to do so. We'll tailor postpartum care to what works best for you and your family.

Comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are usually all you need.

Throughout the year we'll offer optional group sessions where families can learn together, ask questions, and connect with others who are at a similar stage of pregnancy. Rather than listening to a lecture, we hope to create an interactive space where everyone can share ideas, experiences, and questions.

Most sessions will include a group walk. We may focus on topics such as labour, newborn feeding, or preparing for life with a new baby. Our hope is that these sessions help families build relationships that continue well beyond pregnancy.

Absolutely! We welcome partners, children, and other important support people to join visits whenever you'd like. We'll adapt our walking route and pace to meet the needs of your family, whether that means bringing a stroller, taking breaks, or choosing a shorter route.

Yes. We will always ensure there is a stroller-friendly and accessible route available. If you have any accessibility needs, please let us know and we'll choose a location that works well for you.

Let us know if transportation is a concern. We aim to choose locations that are reasonably accessible by public transit whenever possible. For example, Trout Lake is just a short walk from Commercial–Broadway SkyTrain Station. We're happy to discuss options that make attending visits as easy as possible.

If you need to be seen urgently, we'll arrange an assessment in the location that best meets your needs. Depending on the situation, this may be at your home, at Strathcona Midwifery Clinic, or at BC Women's Hospital.

Absolutely. We support both home birth and births planned at BC Women’s Hospital and believe that birth generally goes best in the setting where you feel safest and most comfortable.

We have a particular interest and expertise in supporting physiologic, low-intervention birth, and for many families a home birth is a wonderful fit for those goals. For others, a hospital is the place where they feel most comfortable, or it may be the recommended setting based on their medical circumstances. We'll support you in making informed decisions that fit your values and your pregnancy.