A midwife is a trained health care professional who provides care and support during pregnancy, labour, delivery and for six weeks postpartum to healthy women and their babies.
How much do I pay for midwifery care?
Services of Registered Midwives are covered by BC Health Insurance.
Do I see a doctor as well as a midwife for pregnancy care?
No, you choose whether to see a midwife or physician--you do not see both during your pregnancy. Registered midwives are primary health care professionals who provide comprehensive care to healthy women during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. If a woman develops health concerns that fall outside the scope of midwifery practice (as defined by the College of Midwives of British Columbia (CMBC) Discussion, Consult and Transfer document), consults/transfers are made as required. If care is transferred to a specialist, the midwife can remain in a supportive role. Your care is transferred back to your family physician about six weeks postpartum.
Can midwives order blood tests and ultrasounds?
Registered midwives can order routine pregnancy laboratory tests, such as blood work and ultrasounds.
How do I know if my midwife is qualified?
Registered midwives are regulated by the College of Midwives of British Columbia (CMBC).
Can I have a hospital birth if I have a midwife?
Midwifery care provides choice of birth setting. Registered midwives in Victoria have admitting privileges at Victoria General Hospital. Many women choose to deliver in a hospital with midwifery care. Home birth is also an option for women experiencing a healthy pregnancy with no identified risk factors. Midwives discuss the risks and benefits of these options during prenatal visits.
Does having a midwife mean I cannot use drugs for pain relief in labour?
The midwifery scope of care includes the appropriate use of a range of natural and pharmaceutical pain relief options, including narcotics and epidurals. Midwifery practice respects and supports a woman's choice in the options she chooses for comfort measures in labour.
How often do I see my midwife?
Midwifery visits begin when pregnancy is confirmed and end about six to eight weeks postpartum. Visits occur monthly until the eighth month, then twice monthly until the last month, then weekly until delivery. Appointments are approximately 45 minutes and include physical assessment of mother and baby (B/P, urinalysis, and fetal growth etc.). Midwives provide full care to clients and their babies until 6 weeks after the birth. You can expect to be visited by a midwife several times after your baby is born. Generally you will be visited at your home each day for the first 2 or 3 days, with visits gradually decreasing over the next few weeks. You can expect to receive 6 to 8 visits (at home and in clinic) in total, finishing at 6-7 weeks after the baby is born, with the final visit in the midwife's clinic.
We invite women to make an appointment to meet with a midwife prior to getting pregnant to discuss lifestyle issues such as nutrition, exercise, folic acid etc.
Will the midwife come to my home for visits?
Prenatal appointments occur in the midwife's office. If you are planning a home birth, the midwife will visit you at your home sometime during the month before your due date.
What is the difference between a midwife and a doula?
Midwives are trained health professionals who provide care to healthy women during pregnancy, labour, delivery and for six weeks following the birth. Doulas work as part of the team, with a midwife or doctor and nurse. They provide continuous emotional and physical support to the labouring woman and her partner. For more information about doulas please visit: www.dona.org
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