According to the Ontario Midwifery Act, 1991,  "the practice of midwifery is the assessment and monitoring of women during pregnancy, labour and the post-partum period and of their newborn babies, the provision of care during normal pregnancy, labour and post-partum period and the conducting of spontaneous normal vaginal deliveries." 

 

 

Continuity of Care

   Midwifery care is available to women throughout their pregnancy, labour, birth, and the

first six weeks after birth. Midwives spend time developing relationships with women and

are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 

You will be assigned one midwife, your Primary Midwife, who will see you for the majority

of your appointments and who is the most likely person to be in attendance at your labour.

You will also be assigned a second midwife. You will have the opportunity to meet with her

at 2 to 3 prenatal appointments. She will provide care to you when your primary midwife is not available and will most likely be in attendance at your birth.

Informed Choice

  Women are active decision-makers in the care they receive; midwives give information to help women make informed decisions.

 

Choice of Birthplace

   Midwifery clients may choose to give birth at home or in hospital. Our midwives maintain hospital privileges at Grand River Hospital and work collaboratively with other health care practitioners. It is important that women receive accurate information about the risks and benefits of birthplace for low-risk pregnancy and labour.

 

 

 

 

What kind of training do Midwives have?

 

Midwives qualify for registration either by graduating from the Ontario Midwifery Education Programme, which is a Bachelor of Health Science in Midwifery four-year university degree program, or by successfully completing the International Midwifery Pre-registration Program, offered through the continuing education division at Ryerson University.

 

How often are my appointments with my midwife?

 

Visits to a midwifery practice occur on a regular basis, during which time midwives provide clinical examinations, counseling and education. Appointments are 30 - 45 minutes. The appointment schedule for prenatal care (before the baby is born) follows the standard obstetric care model. Prenatal visits are once a month for the first 28 weeks, every two weeks until 36 weeks and then once a week until your baby is born.  Midwives will do a day one home visit and then biweekly appointments until your baby is 6 weeks.

What is a Midwife ?

for more info please visit:

Association of Ontario Midwives

College of midwives of Ontario

Midwives are on call for emergencies 24/7. Midwives will visit you at home or hospital in the first few days after your baby is born.