It can be daunting to choose a care provider for your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Here are some of the most common questions that people have about midwives and midwifery care. Please feel free to call our office to find answers to any other questions you may have.
1. What is a registered midwife?
Midwives are trained health care providers who care for women and families during pregnancy, labour and birth, and six weeks postpartum. Midwives help empower families by offering informed choice decision making throughout their care, as well as recognizing that pregnancy and birth are a life changing event for any family.
We are able to provide the same care as you would receive with any other health care providers including ordering lab tests and blood work, providing ultrasounds when indicated, and offering screening for you and your baby.
For more information on midwives:
- Association of Ontario Midwives
- College of Midwives of Ontario
- Midwifery Education Program
- Canadian Association of Midwives
2. What kind of training do midwives have?
Midwives in Ontario are trained through one of three routes:
- The Midwifery Education Program (MEP), which is a four-year bachelor of science in midwifery. This degree is currently offered in Ontario at Toronto Metropolitan (previously called Ryerson), and McMaster Universities. It was also previously offered at Laurentian University.
- Internationally trained midwives may register through the International Midwifery Pre-Registration Program (IMPP) which provides a bridge between their original country of practice and Canadian midwifery.
- Transferring from another Canadian province with legislated midwifery.
Midwives who are registered via any of these pathways have received extensive education on pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum and must have attended many clients prior to registration as a midwife. We are required to renew our skills yearly in neonatal resuscitation, emergency skills, CPR, and via participation in learning events and workshops at hospitals, clinics, and through peer review.
3. Is there a cost for midwifery care?
No, there is no cost to the client! If you are a resident of Ontario and have a valid OHIP card, your entire care will be covered by the Ministry of Health.
If you live in Ontario but do not currently have OHIP, there is still no cost to you for midwifery care! Since midwifery funding is not dependent on OHIP, many of the costs that are associated with care such as lab work and ultrasounds can be paid for by the Ministry of Health, as long as you are in midwifery care. If you do not have OHIP, talk to your midwife about what fees you might be responsible for.
4. Where do midwives work?
Our midwives serve clients who live in Norfolk county and the surrounding area. If you are unsure if you live in our catchment area, please call the clinic and we will be happy to answer your questions. We provide care out of our clinic in Simcoe.
5. Do I need to see a doctor and a midwife?
In Ontario, midwives, family physicians, and obstetricians are all primary health care providers. This means that you will see one of the above during your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Unless a complication arises, a midwife will provide complete perinatal care to a family. If a pregnancy becomes complicated, a midwife may provide shared care, or supportive care with a physician.