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FAQ

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.

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.

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.  

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.

ESW for Midwives

Where can I purchase the ESW Bundle for Midwives?

You can purchase the bundle in the CAM Store.

Can I purchase the ESW manual or exam separately?

No, the ESW manual or exam are no longer available separately. Purchasing the ESW bundle, which now includes both the manual and the exam, ensures each participant has access to the most current electronic version of the manual. Revenue generated from ESW sales ensures the continuation of the ESW program.

I have paid for the ESW Bundle for Midwives but have not yet received the link to the exam.

The ESW exam will be emailed to you by the Association of Ontario Midwives (AOM) during business hours, Monday to Friday, within 24-48 hours of purchase. Please check your junk mail and contact CAM if you do not receive it within this time frame.

How do I access the ESW manual?

When you purchase the new ESW Bundle for Midwives, you will automatically receive a confirmation of purchase with a link to download the ESW manual.

Is it possible to get the ESW manual in printed version?

No, the manual is only available in electronic version (PDF).

What is the passing grade for a midwife writing the ESW exam?

The passing grade for midwives is 80%.

ESW for Instructors

If my subscription is in English, can I access the portal in French and vice versa?

Yes, anyone who has purchased access to the portal can view the instructor materials in both English and French. The English portal is here: https://canadianmidwives.org/instructor-portal/.  The French portal is here: https://canadianmidwives.org/fr/instructor-portal/.  You will need to login to your CAM account to access the portal.

I have paid for the Subscription to the Instructor Materials but have not yet received the link to the exam.

The ESW exam will be emailed to you by the Association of Ontario Midwives (AOM) during business hours, Monday to Friday, within 24-48 hours of purchase. Please check your junk mail and contact CAM if you do not receive it within this time frame.

I am an instructor, but I ordered the ESW Bundle for Midwives by mistake instead of the ESW Instructor Materials (Subscription). What should I do?

Your previous order will have to be cancelled, refunded and then you can purchase the ESW Instructor Materials (Subscription). Please contact us at admin@canadianmidwives.org.

Is it possible to get the ESW manual and instructor manual in printed version?

No, the manuals are only available in electronic version (PDF).

What is the passing grade for an instructor writing the ESW exam?

The passing grade for instructors is 90%.

ESW for Students

Who can purchase the Student Bundle?

Currently, the Student Bundle is only available to students at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR). DO NOT purchase the Student Bundle unless you attend UQTR and are registered in the appropriate course. The manual and exam are available in French and English.

I have paid for the ESW Bundle for Students but have not yet received the link to the exam.

The ESW exam will be emailed to you by the Association of Ontario Midwives (AOM) during business hours, Monday to Friday, within 24-48 hours of purchase. Please check your junk mail and contact CAM if you do not receive it within this time frame.

How do I access the ESW manual?

When you purchase the new ESW Bundle for Students, you will automatically receive a confirmation of purchase with a link to download the ESW manual.

Is it possible to get the ESW manual in printed version?

No, the manual is only available in electronic version (PDF).

What is the passing grade for a student writing the ESW exam?

The passing grade for students is 70%.