Midwives provide primary health care for well women during pregnancy and childbirth, and care for mother and baby for six weeks after birth.

Midwives are an essential component of most maternity services. In fact, a midwife is the primary caregiver at the birth of 70% of the world's babies. Except for PEI, Newfoundland & Labrador, and the Yukon, midwifery is being integrated in to the health systems in all parts of Canada.

The information on this page has been written and gathered together for women and families like you, interested in what midwifery is and what it can do for you.

Background Information

  • MCNS Video: What Midwives Do

    What Midwives Do Now in video streaming!

  • MCNS Information Sheets
  • Booklet: Want to Know More About Midwives?

    This excellent booklet describes what a midwife is, what they do, why we need midwifery, midwives as primary health care providers, their scope of practice, and the midwifery contribution to primary health care renewal. Published by the Atlantic Centre of Excellence for Women's Health - April 2006
    You may download it from their site.

  • Booklet: Maternity Matters: Why should we be concerned about the state of maternity care?(.pdf version 722kb)

    • published by Women and Health Care Reform, with financial support from the Women’s Health Contribution Program, Bureau of Women’s Health and Gender Analysis, Health Canada.
    If you prefer, you may download it from their site.