Early Labour
AOM CPG 20: Midwifery Care During Early Labour (2026)
This CPG provides a critical review of the research literature on approaches to care and support for clients during early labour.
- This CPG uses the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology for guideline development. The GRADE tables describe how evidence informed the recommendation statements.
CPG Summary: Midwifery Care During Early Labour (2026)
The CPG summary offers convenient access to some of the most essential content of the full CPG. For a complete analysis of the research relevant to midwifery care during early labour along with citations, please refer to the full guideline.
Defining active labour: An implementation guide for midwives (2026)
A resource for midwives describing the AOM's recommendations on the definition of active labour. This resource aims to support midwives in engaging with interprofessional colleagues when implementing these recommendations.
Client Handouts:
Early Labour: What do I need to know? A resource for clients that describes what to expect in early labour. It provides information on the signs of early labour, how to tell the difference between early and active labour, comfort measures and what to expect from midwifery care during this time.
Early Labour: Tips for support people A resource for support people that describes how to prepare for early labour and how to best support the birthing person during this time.
(Both handouts are available in 7 languages)
Clients' experiences of early labour: Easy read summary (2026)
An overview of the findings of focus groups exploring Ontario midwifery clients' experiences in early labour.
An app for clients that provides information on early labour. Key features of the app include a preparation checklist, videos on comfort measures, and a contraction timer.