Midwives in Ontario
Currently there are approximately 450 registered midwives in the province. Ontario was the first province in Canada to regulate and legislate midwifery in 1994. Since then, midwives have attended over 85,000 births – more than 20,000 of those in clients’ homes. It is anticipated that the number of midwives in the province will double from 400 to 800 in the next four years, allowing many more families to access their care. Midwives attend about 11,000 births per year which is approximately 8 percent of the provincial total.
Midwives are paid by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, therefore clients do not pay anything for midwifery care.
  
click on any of the above photos to view it full size
The Ontario model of midwifery is based on three principles:
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 by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Midwives provide care in small groups – the client will likely know the midwife who attends her 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. Midwives maintain hospital privileges at many Ontario hospitals and work collaboratively with other health care practitioners.
Midwives are health care professionals
Midwives qualify for registration either by graduating from the Ontario Midwifery Education Programme (a four-year university degree program) or the International Midwifery Pre-registration Program, offered through Ryerson University’s continuing education division. Each year approximately 100 new midwives are registered which will make midwifery care available to more women throughout Ontario.
The Association of Ontario Midwives collaborates with the College of Midwives of Ontario, the Midwifery Education Programme and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to continue the development of an outstanding midwifery care system for women and their families in Ontario.
Midwives are part of the Ontario hospital system and attend births in most hospitals around the province. They work closely with nurses and doctors when needed. Midwives order tests and ultrasounds as needed.
Client care with a midwife
Clients are seen by their midwives on a regular basis. Prenatal clinic visits often last 30 to 45 minutes. Postpartum visits take place in hospital, at home, and in clinics. They may last 45 minutes or more.
Midwives provide clinical exams and information at each visit. Women who give birth with a midwife have fewer c-sections and other interventions. Midwives provide support and assistance with breastfeeding.
If, during midwifery care, a health concern arises beyond the scope of midwifery practice, midwives consult with the appropriate health care professional . Occasionally, this may result in a transfer of client care to a physician, or, for babies, to a pediatrician.
Clients do not need a referral from a doctor to access midwifery care. They may call midwives directly for an appointment. In some areas of the province, midwives are in high demand. Wherever clients live, they are encouraged to call for an appointment as soon as they know they are pregnant. Some clinics have openings for clients later in their pregnancies as well.
Midwives provide individual care, shaped by the physical and emotional needs of clients.
|
button (top left)