Pregnancy

If you are pregnant and you'd like to have a midwife provide your care, you don't need to see a doctor for a referral. You can directly call a midwifery clinic in your area. There is no charge for people who reside in Ontario to have a midwife, as the costs of care are covered by the provincial health-care system.

It is wise to contact local clinics as soon as you get pregnant. There are some communities and clinics where the demand for midwifery is so high that it can be tough to get into care. If there are several clinics in your area, call them all to ask about availability. It's okay to have your name on the waiting list at more than one clinic. If you are on a waiting list for midwifery care, you should seek care from another provider, such as your nurse practitioner, family doctor or an obstetrician, in the meantime.

When you do get in to see your midwife, you may have a lot of questions. One of the many aspects of midwifery care that clients appreciate is the thorough and informative appointments they have with their midwives. On average, appointments last 30 to 45 minutes. Most clients will see their midwife over ten times times before they go into labour.

During regularly scheduled visits to the midwifery clinic, midwives provide physical assessments, prenatal education, informed choice discussions and decision support. Physical examinations can include taking clients’ blood pressure, urine and blood testing, measuring growth and listening to the fetal heart rate. Appointments typically take place in the midwives’ clinic, but clients might be offered a home visit, particularly if planning a home birth. If you are planning a home birth, during the home visit the midwife will become familiar with your home setting. Your family members and/or the people who make up your support system, as defined by you, are encouraged and welcome to attend appointments with you as often as they like.

Midwifery students will likely be involved with your pregnancy care and may attend your birth; however, your midwife will always have the primary responsibility for your care. Most midwives are teaching and supervising students while providing care. Your midwife will always ask if you are comfortable having students participate in your care.