You do not need a referral for midwifery care. As the demand for midwives is larger than the number of available midwives, it is best to fill out an intake form as soon as you find out your pregnant.

There is no fee charged for midwifery care. Midwifery care, including prenatal, birth and postpartum care, is paid for by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Midwifery services are also available to those without OHIP at no extra cost.

You can have either a midwife or a doctor for your pregnancy, birth and newborn care. Midwives, obstetricians and family physicians are all considered primary caregivers. A primary caregiver takes sole responsibility for your care. Having two caregivers is viewed as a duplication of health care services.

Midwives qualify for registration either by graduating from the Ontario Midwifery Education Program (a Bachelor of Health Science in Midwifery four-year university degree) or by successfully completing the International Midwifery Pre-registration Program, offered through the continuing education division at Toronto Metropolitan University. Midwives are also required to be certified annually in Neonatal Resuscitation, and biannually in Emergency Skills & CPR.

 A birth Doula is a trained labour support person who provides emotional and physical support to a labouring woman and their partner. While they are not a medical professional, they can offer a wide range of comfort measures during labour - from massage to aromatherapy to continuous reassurance and coping techniques.

 A Midwife, on the other hand, is a trained primary caregiver who provides care to women throughout their low risk pregnancy, labour and birth, and provide care to both mother and baby during the first six weeks following the birth. Like a doula, they too provide emotional and physical support to a labouring person and their partner. Midwives are also able to manage the low risk medical needs of healthy pregnant woman. When you choose a midwife, you have the choice of giving birth in either a home or hospital setting.

Yes. Midwives, like doctors, are primary health care providers and can order all routine testing including genetic screening, bloodwork & ultrasounds. Midwives can also prescribe medications including (but not limited to) diclectin and antibiotics.

Midwives work collaboratively in group practices. A woman receives care from a small number of midwives. Visits to a midwifery practice occur on a regular basis, during which time midwives provide clinical examinations, counselling and education. Appointments are ~30 minutes long. The appointment schedule for prenatal care (before the baby is born) follows the standard obstetric care model. Prenatal visits are once a month for the first 28 weeks, every two weeks until 36 weeks and then once a week until your baby is born. Midwives are on call for emergencies 24 hours a day.

Midwives provide care for you and your baby until six weeks postpartum (after the baby is born). Your midwife will visit you at home (or in hospital) within 24 hours of the baby's birth and come for additional home visits for the first two weeks postpartum, to support and assist you with infant feeding and newborn care, and to monitor your health and your baby's health. Visits then continue at the clinic at two weeks until the final visit at six weeks following birth. After 6 weeks you and your baby are discharged back into your family doctors care.

No. Midwives offer you the choice of a home or hospital birth. Whichever setting you choose, you and your baby will receive comprehensive and safe care. If choosing to have your baby at the hospital, our midwives have privileges at St Catharines Hospital.

No. All pain relief options including an epidural are available to you if choosing a hospital birth. If choosing to have your baby at home non-pharmacological pain relief techniques are an option.

If, during midwifery care, a health concern arises beyond the scope of midwifery practice, your midwife would consult with the appropriate health care professional. Occasionally, this may result in a transfer of your care to an obstetrician, or for your baby to a pediatrician. If your care is transferred, your midwife remains with you in a supportive role.