Midwifery Practice - What is a Midwife?

International Definition of a Midwife

A midwife is a person who, having been regularly admitted to a midwifery educational programme, duly recognized in the country in which it is located, has successfully completed the prescribed course of studies in midwifery and has acquired the requisite qualifications to be registered and/or legally licensed to practise midwifery.

The midwife is recognised as a responsible and accountable professional who works in partnership with women to give the necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period, to conduct births on the midwife’s own responsibility and to provide care for the newborn and the infant. This care includes preventative measures, the promotion of normal birth, the detection of complications in mother and child, the accessing of medical care or other appropriate assistance and the carrying out of emergency measures.

The midwife has an important task in health counselling and education, not only for the woman, but also within the family and the community. This work should involve antenatal education and preparation for parenthood and may extend to women’s health, sexual or reproductive health and child care.

A midwife may practise in any setting including the home, community, hospitals, clinics or health units.

Adopted by the International Confederation of Midwives Council meeting
July 19th 2005
Brisbane, Australia

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What is a Canadian Registered Midwife?

Registered midwives are health professionals who provide primary care to women and their babies during pregnancy, labour, birth and the postpartum period. As primary care providers, midwives may be the first point of entry to maternity services, and are fully responsible for clinical decisions and the management of care within their scope of practice.

Midwives provide the complete course of low-risk prenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care, including physical examinations, screening and diagnostic tests, the assessment of risk and abnormal conditions, and the conduct of normal vaginal deliveries. Midwives work in collaboration with other health professionals and consult with or refer to medical specialists as appropriate. The midwifery model of care promotes normal birth, enables women to make informed choices, and provides continuity of care and support throughout the childbearing experience. Midwives attend births in hospitals, birth centres and at home.

For more information, visit the Canadian Midwifery Regulators Consortium webiste.

Canadian Competencies for Midwives (PDF)

Status of Legislation in Canada

Midwifery is regulated in Canada by provincial and territorial authorities. Currently, most provinces and territories regulate midwifery. Midwives that are registered with their provincial / territorial regulatory authority use the title Registered Midwife (RM) or Sage-femme (SF) and are legally permitted to practice their profession.

Province/Territory	Implementation	Public funding
Alberta	Yes - 1998	No
British Columbia	Yes - 1998	Yes
Manitoba	Yes - 2000	Yes
New Brunswick	Legislation in process
Newfoundland & Labrador	No	No
North West Territories	Yes - 2005	Yes
Nova Scotia	In process
Nunavut	In process
Ontario	Yes - 1994	Yes
Prince Edward Island	No	No
Quebec	Yes - 1999	Yes
Saskatchewan	Yes - 2008	Yes
Yukon	No	No