What is Midwifery?

Informed Choice

Informed choice in healthcare refers to the process by which clients make decisions about their medical care based on a clear understanding of their options, the associated risks and benefits and their personal values and preferences. It emphasizes the importance of effective between healthcare providers and patients, ensuring that individuals have access to relevant information that empowers them to make decisions that best suit their needs. By fostering an environment of trust and transparency, informed choice enhances patient satisfaction and promotes better health outcomes.

Continuity of Care

Midwifery provides continuity of care-provider, whereby a known midwife or small group of midwives, provides care
throughout pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period. Sufficient time is offered during routine visits for
meaningful discussion and ongoing health assessment. This approach creates the opportunity for building a
relationship of familiarity and trust, and facilitates informed choice discussions. The presence of a known and trusted
caregiver during the birth experience enhances client safety and satisfaction, and is an aspect of midwifery care that
is highly valued. Continuity of care-provider results in excellent health outcomes, increased client satisfaction and
cost effective care.

Choice of Birthplace

Everyone has the right to choose where they will give birth, and midwives are responsible for providing care within
their scope of practice to their clients in the setting of their choice. People may choose to give birth in their homes,
hospitals, birth centres and health clinics safely with midwives in attendance. Midwives are an essential part of
quality maternity care that supports people to give birth as close to home as possible in urban, rural and remote
communities. 

Rocky Mountain House Healthcare Center is our primary hospital and do not routinely offer birth in Red Deer Hospital unless there is a medical indication to transfer to a Level 2 hospital. 

Evidence-based Practice

Midwives support physiologic birth. Midwifery practice is informed by research, evidence-based guidelines, clinical
experience, and the unique values and needs of those in their care. Aboriginal communities value the traditional
knowledge that has been passed down orally and experientially through generations of midwives and use this
knowledge in practice for optimal birth outcomes.

Partnership

Midwives engage in a non-authoritarian and supportive partnership with clients throughout their care. Midwifery
recognizes the intimate client-care provider relationship as being integral to the provision of care that is responsive to
the unique cultural values, beliefs, needs and life experiences of each client. Research suggests that the nature of
the relationship between a client and healthcare provider is one of the most significant determinants of positive
outcomes. For Aboriginal communities, the inclusion of extended families and the integration of culturally safe care
increases positive health outcomes. Midwifery has grown from and continues to be driven by the voices of women
and all people experiencing midwifery care.

Professional Autonomy

Canadian midwives are autonomous primary health care providers, who provide comprehensive care during
pregnancy, labour, postpartum and the newborn period. Midwifery in Canada is a direct entry profession and is selfregulated. Midwifery services are publicly funded and integrated within the Canadian healthcare system. Midwives
work in home, hospital and community settings, including maternity centres and birth centres. Midwives access
emergency services as needed. Where available, midwives maintain hospital privileges for the admission of clients
and their newborns.