FAQ

General Information

What is a midwife?

Midwives are health professionals who provide primary care to birthing people and their babies during pregnancy, labour, birth, and the postpartum period. As primary care providers, midwives may be the first point of entry to maternity services and are fully responsible for clinical decisions and the management of care within their scope of practice. 

Midwives provide the complete course of low-risk prenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care, including physical examinations, screening and diagnostic tests, the assessment of risk and abnormal conditions, and the conduct of normal vaginal deliveries. Midwives work in collaboration with other health professionals and consult with or refer to medical specialist as appropriate.

The midwifery model of care promotes normal birth, enables birthing people to make informed choices, and provides continuity of care and support throughout the childbearing experience. Midwives attend births in hospitals, birth centers and at home. 

For additional information, visit What is a Midwife?

How do I find a midwife?

Most provinces and territories have regulated midwifery care, integrated into the health care system, and covered by provincial health insurance. Midwives deliver babies in hospitals, in birthing centres in the community, and at home, depending on the birthing parent’s choice. Midwives work in partnership with OBs and Family Doctors.

To determine if midwifery care is right for you and to find a care provider in your province or territory, please use our interactive map on havingababy.co.  You can also access a list of provincial and territorial midwifery associations here.  These associations can help you find a midwife.

Midwifery care isn’t available in my area. How do I advocate for more midwives?

For information on ways to advocate for more midwives in your area, you can contact the provincial or territorial midwifery association in your jurisdiction. You can access a list of these associations here. 

If you are an Indigenous person wanting to advocate for more services within your community, you can contact the National Council of Indigenous Midwives (NCIM) here.

How do I connect with CAM’s membership?

I have a survey I’d like distributed to CAM’s membership.

If you would like to connect with CAM’s membership, please send an e-mail detailing your request to communications@canadianmidwives.org.

I have educational or promotional products I’d like disseminated to CAM’s membership.

If you would like to discuss educational or promotional opportunities for our membership, please send an e-mail detailing your request to communications@canadianmidwives.org.

Education

How do I become a midwife?

The Midwifery Education Program (MEP) is a four‑year baccalaureate program. Learn more on our section: How to Become a Midwife.

I am a healthcare professional. How do I become a midwife?

Health care professionals can apply to the accelerated stream of the Midwifery Education Program (MEP) offered at Ryerson University in Toronto. This program is called the Post-Baccalaureate Program for Health Professionals (PBHP) and can be completed in half the time as the regular MEP. You can read more about this opportunity here: https://www.ryerson.ca/midwifery/admissions/health-profession-degree/.

I am an internationally trained midwife. How do I become a midwife in Canada?

Internationally educated applicants must take part in an assessment process to demonstrate that they have the skills, knowledge, and abilities required of a Canadian Registered Midwife.  You may contact the College of Midwives in the province or territory where you would like to work.  Most college websites outline a career map for internationally trained midwives, list the eligibility for registration for midwives and explain the registration application process.  You can find a list of provincial and territorial contacts in our section: Midwifery Across Canada.

Generally, internationally trained midwives who wish to work in Canada must complete a bridging program. You can find more information here.

An excellent resource of information is The Canadian Midwifery Regulators Council. This website also has very useful information and links regarding immigrating and/or moving to Canada and explains how Canadian midwifery differs from other countries.   

Distance/Online Education Programs for Midwives

There are no accredited distance programs offered in Canada. Most of the course work provided in midwifery education programs is taught in a “hands on manner” which is not possible with an online program.  To learn more, see the programs offered in Canada.

Is it possible to do a Masters of Midwifery?

There are no Masters of Midwifery programs available in Canada that would lead you to practice as a midwife. If your interest is in research rather than clinical practice, you might consider doing a Masters in a related field such as Community or Public Health.  

Internships / Clinical Placements

I am an international midwifery student interested in doing an internship/clinical placement in Canada.

There are few clinical placement positions available, so priority is usually given to Canadian midwifery students. There may be birth centers or midwifery clinics that could offer internships, but you would have to contact them directly and inquire if such opportunities are available. Each provincial and territorial midwifery association has a list of the midwifery practices in their jurisdiction. You can find information on those associations in our section: Midwifery Across Canada.