A midwife is a person who, having been regularly admitted to a midwifery educational programme, duly recognised in the country in which it is located, has successfully completed the prescribed course of studies in midwifery and has acquired the requisite qualifications to be registered and/or legally licensed to practice midwifery.
The midwife is recognised as a responsible and accountable professional who works in partnership with women to give the necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period, to conduct births on the midwife’s own responsibility and to provide care for the newborn and the infant. This care includes preventive measures, the promotion of normal birth, the detection of complications in mother and child, the accessing of medical or other appropriate assistance and the carrying out of emergency measures.
The midwife has an important task in health counselling and education, not only for the woman, but also within the family and community. This work should involve antenatal education and preparation for parenthood and may extend to women’s health, sexual or reproductive health and childcare.
A midwife may practise in any setting including the home, community, hospitals, clinics or health units.
International Confederation of Midwives, 2005
In November 2006, Bill 107, the Midwifery Act, was passed in the House of Assembly. The legislation was proclaimed on March 18, 2009.
In Spring/Summer 2009 midwives began practising as employees, and with primary maternity care teams, in South Shore Health, Guysborough-Antigonish-Strait Health Authority (GASHA), and the IWK Health Center.
Fundamental to midwifery care is respect for the normal, healthy process of pregnancy and childbirth, and for women’s power and ability to give birth. Midwifery care promotes, protects and facilitates normal physiologic birth.
To view the complete Council policy on Philosophy of Care click here Philosophy of Care.
The purpose of a Code of Ethics is to set forth the ethical principles and standards which professionals are expected to meet and by which their actions can be judged. The MRC Code of Ethics identifies the moral and ethical obligations inherent in the midwife’s professional role. Midwives have a responsibility to maintain the integrity of their profession and uphold ethical principles in the provision of care for childbearing women and their infants within their families and communities.
This Code is grounded in values that are fundamental to midwifery practice and professional relationships with clients, families, colleagues and communities. These values include:
(a) Promotion of safe, compassionate and ethical care
(b) Promotion of health and well-being
(c) Support for informed decision-making
(d) Respect for human dignity and integrity
(e) Protection of privacy and confidentiality
(f) Promotion of justice and equity
(g) Accountability
To view the complete Code of Ethics click here Code of Ethics.
Competencies for entry to the practice of midwifery in Canada are defined by the Canadian Midwifery Regulators Consortium (CMRC) in Canadian Competencies for Midwives.
The general and specific competencies defined by the CMRC in the following areas are approved by Council as core competencies for midwives in Nova Scotia:
Education and Counselling
Antepartum Care
Care During Labour, Birth and the Immediate Postpartum Period
Care of the Woman During the Postpartum Period, including Breastfeeding
Care of the Newborn and the Young Infant
Well Woman Care, Sexuality and Gynecology
Professional, Inter-professional, Legal and Other Aspects of the Profession
In Nova Scotia, the clinical practice of midwifery means the provision of antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum and newborn care as a primary care provider. This care may be provided either within or outside of a hospital setting.
To view the complete Council Policy on Scope of Practice click here Scope of Practice.
