What to Expect Under Midwifery Care

During Pregnancy:

We meet with an expectant mother regularly in early pregnancy. Visits last between 30 minutes and an hour. This allows us to assess the physical health of the pregnant woman and that of her baby. There is time for discussion around the pregnancy teaching. As a primary caregiver, we take the responsibility for care the same way a family physician does.

During Labour:

We are on call 24 hours a day. Continuous support is provided whether you choose to give birth at home or in a hospital. We do carry emergency equipment and are trained to detect and handle emergencies if they arise.

After the Birth:

Immediately after the birth, we assess the physical health of the mother and baby, and provide all the necessary care, including breastfeeding support. In the days following the birth, we do home visits or hospital visits and are available by phone during the first six weeks.

Scope of Practice:

“The practice of midwifery is the assessment and monitoring of women during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period and of their newborn babies, the provision of care during normal pregnancy, labour and postpartum period and the conducting of spontaneous normal vaginal deliveries” (Ontario Midwifery Act, 1991).

Midwives provide comprehensive clinical care. In the provinces and territories where midwifery is regulated, midwives may employ their full scope of practice. The skills and responsibilities listed here are just a few examples from Alberta’s Standards of Practice. These standards may vary slightly in other provinces and territories.

For more information please download the PDF file,
"Want to Know More Midwives" available on the
Alberta Association of Midwives web site
or click this link to access the file directly.

Please check the following sites for a wide range of matters pertaining to midwifery:

The Alberta Association of Midwives
AND
Canadian Association of Midwives ~ Association canadienne des sages-femmes:

Additional Questions?
Phone 403-675-4242 ext.107
(please leave a message)
info@mountainvalleymidwife.com

Midwifery information and descriptions above are courtesy of The Alberta Association of Midwives.