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Is midwifery care safe?
There is a large body of evidence that supports midwifery
care as a safe choice for low-risk healthy women. Data
was gathered from New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and
Holland where regulated midwifery is widely practices
in order to justify its regulation in BC. In fact, researchers
founds that women and babies did better on average in
countries where midwifery was the normal care.
FACT: Midwifery clients experienced lower rates of forceps,
vacuum extractions, cesarean sections, episiotomies, infections
and babies born requiring resuscitation, in studies where
midwifery was compared to physician led care.
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Is midwifery care legal?
Yes, since 1998 midwifery has been regulated through
the Health Professions Act by the College of Midwives
of British Columbia. The title "midwife" is
protected and its use by anyone other than a Registered
Midwife is illegal. Currently, there are approximately
80 Registered Midwives in the province.
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Do I have to pay for midwifery care?
In BC the Ministry of Health pays for the services of
Registered Midwives. If you are covered under the BC Medical
Services Plan, all you have to do is show your BC Care
Card.
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Can I have a midwife and a doctor at
the same time?
The Medical Services Plan will cover one primary care
provider for the duration of your pregnancy and birth,
to six weeks postpartum. The choice of caregiver during
your pregnancy is up to you. Midwives are experts in healthy
pregnancy, normal births and well babies. Midwives will
consult with family doctors, obstetricians and pediatricians
should the need arise. About six weeks post-partum, your
care is transferred back to your family physician who
will resume responsibility for the health of you and your
new baby.
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What is the working relationship between
midwives and obstetricians?
Midwives consult with family doctors, obstetricians,
pediatricians or and other specialists if situations arise
that fall outside the Midwife's scope of practice. Midwives
have clear indications of when to consult and when to
transfer care during pregnancy, birth and post-partum
as set out by the College of Midwives of BC. This information
is made available to every woman who chooses a midwife
as part of the fundamental principle of midwifery care:
informed choice.
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What experience and training do midwives
have?
This varies. Ask the midwife, she will be happy to share
her background and experience with you. All Registered
Midwives in BC, regardless of their educational backgrounds,
have demonstrated a high level of competency as required
by the College of Midwives of BC through rigorous written,
clinical and oral examinations.
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Can I have a midwife and still give
birth in the hospital?
Midwives support womens’ right to choose the place
of birth and offer women home or hospital births. All
Registered Midwives obtain and maintain hospital privileges
so they can provide comprehensive care in both the hospital
and home setting.
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Does having a midwife mean I can't have
an epidural?
The appropriate use of a range of natural and pharmaceutical
pain relief options, including epidurals, is part of the
midwifery scope of care. Paramount in midwifery practice
is that women feel respected and supported so that they
are able to give birth safely, with power and dignity.
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Do all visits with my midwife take place
in my home?
Most midwives have clinics where prenatal and some post-natal
visits take place although there is a wide variety in
practice settings. This is something to ask individual
midwives when you are seeking a care provider. In the
post-partum period visits are usually conducted in your
home for at least the first week or two following birth.
Subsequent visits may take place at the midwife’s
place of practice until care is transferred back to your
family physician, around six weeks after your baby arrives.
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How often do I see my midwife?
Midwifery visit schedules vary among practice groups,
but usually visits are begun when pregnancy is confirmed
and end when the baby is six weeks of age. Visits every
three to five weeks for the first and second trimester
is typical. By 30 weeks gestation most midwives begin
visiting with their clients every two to three weeks and
weekly after 36 weeks until the birth. Visits are usually
30 to 60 minutes long, allowing your midwife to assess
your physical health, allow time for informed decision
making, and to determine how well you are doing emotionally
and psychologically. Between visits there is a midwife
on call 24 hours a day that you may telephone with concerns.
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What is the difference between a midwife
and a doula?
Doulas do not provide medical care, and do not deliver
babies. Midwives are trained to provide all necessary
medical care and ensure the health and well-being of you
and your baby. Doulas work as a part of the team, with
a midwife or doctor and nurse. Doulas provide continuous
emotional and physical support to the labouring woman
and her partner, and are a positive addition to the birth
team for those couples who desire extra support. For more
information about doulas, contact the Doula
Services Association of BC.
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