Becoming a Midwife in British Columbia

Growing new midwives will continue to be essential to the sustainability of the midwifery profession.

EDUCATION OPTIONS

There is a four-year degree program (Bachelor of Midwifery) offered at the University of British Columbia, which commenced in September 2002. The program admits 10 students per year. Upon completion of this program, graduates will be eligible for general registration in BC.

Visit the UBC Midwifery Program website for more information.

The program in BC has largely been based on the Ontario Midwifery Education Program. This four year Bachelor of Health Science in Midwifery degree is offered jointly through Ryerson Polytechnic Institute in Toronto, McMaster University in Hamilton and Laurentian University in Sudbury. This program, and the UBC program, are approved by the College of Midwives of BC enabling graduates to enter directly into practice in BC.

There is also a federal reciprocity agreement among the regulated provinces which provides a mechanism for midwives from other provinces to practice in BC.

For information contact:

Ryerson Polytechnic Institute
Office Admissions
350 Victoria St.
Toronto, ON
M5B 2K3 Tel: 416-979-5027

McMaster University Faculty on Health Sciences
Midwifert Education Program
Faculty of Health Sciences, MDCL 3103
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, ON
L8N 3Z5
Tel: 905 525 9140 Ext. 26654

Laurentian University Office of Admissions
935 Ramsey Lake Rd.
Sudbury, Ont.
P3E 2C6
Tel: 705-675-4843

Application forms for the Ontario program must be obtained from:

Ontario Universities Application Centre
170 Research Lane
Guelph, ON
Canada
N1G 5E2
Phone: (519) 823-1940 Fax: (519) 823-5232
Website: www.ouac.on.ca

Many BC residents have graduated from the Seattle Midwifery School in the United States. This is a three-year direct-entry (non-degree granting) distance education program that includes on-line as well as on-site components. Graduates of this program are eligible for licensure in Washington State. Because this program has not yet been approved by the CMBC, SMS students are not recognized in BC and are therefore unable to perform 'supervised primary' care while in preceptorships in BC. Those who complete this program gain clinical experience in the US or overseas.

Seattle Midwifery School
4000 NE 41st St, Bldg D, Suite 3
Seattle, WA 98105
phone (206) 322-8834 ext. 100 or
1 (800) 747-9433
fax (206) 328-2840
info@seattlemidwifery.org
www.seattlemidwifery.org

Foreign trained midwives, including SMS graduates enter into practice in BC via the CMBC's Prior Learning and Experience Assessment process. More information on this is available through the CMBC at www.cmbc.bc.ca

There are many midwifery education programs in North America, New Zealand and the UK, which vary considerably. It is important to understand that graduates of foreign programs may not meet the general registration requirements of the CMBC. If you are considering any of these programs, you should inquire with the CMBC first to determine how they meet the BC criteria for registration. The CMBC has a document available detailing what to look for in a midwifery education program.

EXPERIENCE

There are many ways to gain experience to prepare you for applying to midwifery school. The following are suggestions for developing your professional skills (as well as your portfolio!):

  • complete first year undergraduate university level courses such as; English, Anatomy and Physiology, Nutrition, Microbiology, Women's Studies.

  • complete a Doula training offered through Douglas College, New Westminster. This is a good opportunity to attend births and support women.

  • consider taking the Breastfeeding Counselor or Anatomy & Physiology of the Childbearing Year courses offered through Douglas College

  • attend a series of Childbirth Education classes or even consider training as a Childbirth Educator offered through Douglas College, New Westminster

  • volunteer at local women's health / contraception clinic

  • attend local midwifery film nights and events

  • attend related workshops, courses, conferences

  • volunteer to assist at a midwifery clinic to gain exposure to daily tasks and life as a midwife

  • seek opportunity to learn

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Participating in political organizational work continues to a critical part of what supports midwifery. You can contribute and learn at the same time:

  • join the BC chapter of AIMS (Association for Improvement of Maternity Services BC) by emailing aimsbc@telus.net

  • become a supporting or student member of the MABC

  • connect with the local midwives and with other aspiring midwives

  • familiarize with community resources (CBE, LaLeche League, Perinatal Yoga)

  • engage in midwifery promotion and education

BIBLIOGRAPHY

  1. Principles of Midwifery Education in BC - A Joint Statement of the CMBC and the MABC

  2. MABC Guidelines for Midwives Providing Student Mentorship in BC (June 98)

  3. CMBC Lifestyle Self Assessment

  4. CMBC Model of Midwifery Practice

  5. CMBC Competencies of Registered Midwives