Midwifery

Registered midwives are primary healthcare providers who specialize in pregnancy and birth. Midwives provide care during pregnancy, labour, birth, and up to six weeks of after birth care. They also offer sexual and reproductive healthcare services to non-pregnant individuals of all ages.

Midwives focus on providing evidence-based, client-centred care to promote the health and well-being of pregnant individuals and their families. They can arrange all routine prenatal tests, such as ultrasounds, laboratory and diagnostic tests, and prescribe common medications. Midwives are trained to recognize complications and will consult with a physician if needed. 

Our team includes registered midwives who provide four core services:

Care during pregnancy 

As a client, you see your midwife during regularly scheduled appointments. Visits last between 30 to 60 minutes and are usually scheduled once a month for the first 28 weeks, every two weeks until 36 weeks, and then once a week until your baby is born. During these visits, midwives provide the information you need to make important choices during pregnancy, and will arrange for routine prenatal tests, including ultrasounds and bloodwork. If needed, your midwife will also provide assessments in the hospital.

Care during birth 

One of the midwives you see during your pregnancy will attend your birth. If complications arise, your midwife consults with the obstetrician. Otherwise, your midwife manages your labour and birth care.

Care after birth

Midwives provide six weeks of postpartum care for you and your newborn. They monitor your health, your baby’s health and provide breastfeeding support. After six weeks, you will be discharged from midwifery care and will see your primary healthcare provider. In some areas of the province, midwives also provide postpartum care to families without a primary healthcare provider, even if you did not have a midwife during your pregnancy or birth.

Other health services 

Midwives offer healthcare services to non-pregnant individuals, such as cervical cancer screening (Pap tests), screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and contraception including IUD insertions and removals.

How to access this service

Midwifery services are currently available in central and eastern rural Newfoundland.  You can self-refer or be referred by calling:

• Central: 706-651-6489
• Eastern: 709-945-5517