What is a midwife?
Midwife means "with woman". To midwives and their clients, pregnancy and birth are normal, healthy life events. Midwifery promotes normal childbirth and the prevention of health problems. In 1994, midwifery became an integrated part of the Ontario healthcare system and is provided free of charge to residents of the province. Midwives provide care in both the hospital and home setting.
A midwife is a primary caregiver, which means that she can provide all the care necessary for a healthy woman and her baby throughout pregnancy, birth and for six weeks afterward. Midwives refer women and babies to family doctors or specialist doctors like obstetricians and pediatricians if the care becomes complicated. Even if care is transferred to a doctor at the birth, midwives will remain involved in the care as a support to the mother and baby. As primary caregivers, midwives do the following:
- care for healthy, pregnant women and their babies;
- see women for all prenatal visits and give prenatal education;
- order laboratory and ultrasound testing if needed;
- arrange for consultations with or transfers to doctors if needed;
- give some medications during pregnancy, labour, birth and the postpartum (after birth) period if needed;
- take responsibility for primary care during labour, birth and postpartum including delivering the baby;
- examine the newborn and care for mothers and babies for six weeks after the birth.
You do not need a referral from a physician to use midwifery services; you can call a midwife directly. However, it is best to call as early in pregnancy as possible to ensure that your midwife has space for you.
There are currently over 400 midwives registered with the College of Midwives of Ontario.
Furnished by the College of Midwives of Ontario
