Midwives are experts in normal pregnancy, birth and newborn care. Ontario midwives are funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care so services are free to clients. Give birth at a hospital or at home and receive safe, skilled care from your midwife.
Because she was being discharged into the care of her midwife, a primary care provider who was available to her by pager 24/7, Chester was able leave the hospital on the second day. This meant she could rest, heal and get to know her new baby in her own home while still receiving follow-up care from her midwife.
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Carol Cameron doesn’t even blink at the novelty of being the first midwife in Ontario to run a birth unit. When it comes to midwives taking on leadership roles, Cameron’s motto is “why not?” Cameron has been the clinical manager of the childbirth centre at Markham Stouffville Hospital for just over a year and in that time has been part of a successful project to reduce c-section rates. View blog post. View newsletter.
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When it comes to providing primary care for women and babies on their territories, Aboriginal midwives face unique challenges. While the province’s Midwifery Act acknowledges their right to practice autonomously in their communities, Aboriginal midwives aren’t able to access the same funding streams as registered midwives. With the support of the National Aboriginal Council of Midwives, midwives are advocating for changes to the health care system that will eliminate barriers to practice and ensure that more Indigenous babies are born on their own land, with their births attended by Aboriginal midwives.
View blog post. View newsletter.
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Midwives are provincially funded to provide care to residents in Ontario, including uninsured and undocumented women. We have seen first-hand the struggles and vulnerabilities of women who, for whatever reason, are undocumented. And we believe strongly that everyone should have access to health care. In fact, prenatal care is recognized as one of the most cost-effective strategies in health care as a whole. Adequate prenatal care leads to healthier babies and less expense on the health care system in the long run.
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