WHAT IS A MIDWIFE?

Midwives have different roles and training depending on which part of the country or world they practice.

INTERNATIONAL DEFINITION OF A MIDWIFE

The World Health Organization defines a midwife in this way:

"She must be able to give the necessary supervision, care and advice to women during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum periods, to conduct deliveries on her own responsibility and to care for the newborn infant.  This Care includes preventative measures, the detection of abnormal conditions in mother and child, the procurement of medical assistance and the execution of emergency measures in the absence of medical help.  She has an important task in health counseling and education, not only for the patients, but also within the family and community.  The work should involve antenatal education and preparation for parenthood, and extends to certain areas of gynecology, family planning and child care.  She may practice in hospitals, clinics, health units domiciliary conditions, or in any other service.

SCOPE OF PRACTICE OF ONTARIO MIDWIVES

Women are seen by midwives for all their prenatal visits.  Midwives can order laboratory and ultrasound testing (as appropriate) and will arrange for consultation and/or transfer of care to other health care providers if necessary.  Midwives provide primary care during labour and conduct normal births on their own responsibility.  They examine the newborn and provide care for mothers and babies to six weeks postpartum.  They can also prescribe and/or administer certain drugs during pregnancy, labour, birth, and the postpartum period.  Midwives in Ontario are able to seek hospital privileges to admit and discharge their clients on their own responsibility.  Midwives are not employees of the hospital.  They are on-call for their clients, whether the birth is planned for home or hospital.  While in hospital, midwives act as primary care providers for their clients.  Midwives are responsible for the provision of care, decision-making, and the monitoring and management of  labour, delivery, postpartum and newborn care.