Midwifery 101
An introduction to the many benefits of midwifery care
Some Facts
-
BC midwives have been regulated by the government and publicly funded since January 1998.
-
BC midwives now deliver nearly 14% of the province’s babies each year – more than 5,500 newborns.
-
In Canada, midwives deliver 2% of the country’s babies.
-
In BC approximately 30% of midwifery clients choose to give birth at home.
-
Midwives are able to care for up to 60 clients per midwife per year.
Annual # of babies delivered by midwives in BC
Registered Midwives offer…
- Safe, individualized, respectful care
- Regular prenatal visits throughout pregnancy
- Time to discuss important issues
- Access to lab tests, ultrasounds and medications
- Referrals to specialists and consultants
- Choice of home or hospital birth
- Support during labour and postpartum
- Access to epidural anesthesia when indicated
- Home visits after birth for both mom & baby
- Expert, in-home breastfeeding support
Registered Midwives are…
- Essential health care professionals
- Primary providers for pregnancy, birth and postpartum care
- Highly trained and university educated
- Covered for those with a BC health care card
- In demand more and more women are choosing midwifery care
- Found in hospitals, community clinics and homes across BC
- Working in collaboration with other health care providers
- Involved in over 16% of pregnancies and births in BC
Safe and cost effective…
- Lower rates of birth by cesarean section
- Efficient use of hospital resources
- Shorter hospital stays
- Reduced preterm birth rates
- Fewer hospital admissions prenatally and postpartum
- Fewer newborn hospital admissions
- Reduced rates of medical intervention
- Collaboration and timely consultation
- Improved health outcomes
- Millions of dollars in health care savings