Midwives differ from obstetricians and physicians who deliver babies. They care for healthy, low-risk women and their babies, and focus on a natural approach to pregnancy and birth. A midwife and her client often develop a comfortable relationship that fosters trust and allows the woman to take an active role in her pregnancy and birth experience.
Midwives are Registered and Regulated in Canada
Currently, midwifery care is legislated in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec and Nova Scotia. Registered midwives study an intensive four year program specializing in midwifery care. A midwife takes the place of an obstetrician or doctor as a woman’s primary care provider throughout her pregnancy and postpartum period.
Reasons to Choose a Midwife
Many women share the midwife’s philosophy that pregnancy and birth are normal events in a healthy woman’s life. While a midwife still performs the same prenatal duties as a physician, such as regular prenatal visits and diagnostic testing, her view of birth and the birthing woman are different.
The Alberta Association of Midwives states in their “Philosophy of Care”: “Midwifery is grounded in the belief that having a baby is a natural life process and an opportunity for considerable growth. The intent of midwifery care is to enhance these life experiences.”
Midwifery Model of Care
Under a midwife’s care, an expectant mother can enjoy the benefits of the midwifery model of care as opposed to the medical model. While the model differs slightly by province, it focuses on three tenets: continuity of care, informed choice and choice of birthplace.
- Continuity of Care. A midwife is available to a woman throughout the prenatal period, labor and birth, and until six weeks postpartum. This allows a mother-to-be to develop a relationship with her midwife and to feel comfortable discussing any issues. The midwife attends the entire labor and birth and addresses postpartum needs as well, including breastfeeding support and emotional issues. If a midwife works in a practice with other midwives, the expectant mother will also meet and develop a relationship with the other midwives in the practice.
- Informed Choice. The midwife sees herself as a professional whose duty it is to provide her clients with information that will help them make informed choices about their care and the care of their babies. Women are the active decision-makers in their care. Mothers choose which diagnostic tests are to be performed and their birth plans are respected.
- Choice of Birthplace. Under a midwife’s care, a woman can choose to birth at home or in a hospital or birth centre. Midwives often have privileges at one or more local hospitals and work in conjunction with other healthcare professionals.
There are many reasons to choose midwifery care, especially for women who prefer a natural approach to pregnancy and birth and who want to be actively involved in the decisions regarding their care and the care of their newborns. The funding and availability of midwifery care differ by province. If midwifery care is not available in your community, you may be able to advocate for it.
