MODEL OF MIDWIFERY PRACTICE
for Midwives Practicing in Newfoundland and
Labrador
Midwives provide care from early pregnancy through to at least six-weeks
postpartum to women and their babies.
Health and Well-being
Midwifery care is based on a respect for pregnancy and childbirth as
normal physiological processes. Midwifery care seeks to optimize the
normal biological, psychological, social and cultural processes of
childbearing. Midwives promote the health and well-being of women,
babies, and families.
Informed Choice
Midwives respect the right of women to make informed choices about all
aspects of their care. Midwives actively encourage informed
decision-making by providing women with comprehensive, relevant, and
non-biased information in a non-authoritarian manner.
Autonomous Care Providers
Midwives are fully responsible for the provision of primary health
services within their scope of practice, making autonomous decisions in
collaboration with their clients. When midwives identify conditions
requiring care that is outside their scope ofr practice, they make
referrals to other care providers and continue to provide supportive
care. Midwives collaborate with other health professionals in order to
ensure that their clients receive the best possible care.
Continuity of Care
Midwives are committed to working in partnership with the women in their
care. Midwives spend time with their clients in order to build trusting
relationships and provide individualized care. Individual or small groups
of midwives provide continuity of care to women throughout pregnancy,
labour, birth, and up to at least six weeks postpartum. A midwife known
to the woman is available on-call throughout her care.
Choice of Birth Setting
Midwives respect the right of woman to make an informed choice about the
setting for her birth. Midwives must be competent and willing to provide
care in a variety of settings, including homes, birth centres, and
hospitals. Regardless of place of birth mothers and their babies are the
centre of care.
Evidence Informed Practice
Midwives are expected to stay current with regard to research on
maternity care issues, to critically appraise research, and to
incorporate relevant findings into their care. Midwives are also expected
to provide care that takes into account the client's wishes, values, and
culture and on midwifery assessment and experience.
References
Canadian Midwifery Regulators Consortium. (2010). Canadian Model of
Midwifery Practice.
Pages, L., & McCandlish, R. (2006). The new midwifery: Science and
sensitivity in practice (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier.
Note
Continuity of care is provided by a team of not more than four midwives
who are known to the woman. One member of the team is the leader
responsible for ensuring that all care is provided. The team ideally
provides one-to-one care from the beginning of pregnancy to six weeks
postpartum and to the neonate. A team member will be available 24 hours a
day and at least one of the team will be the primary midwife for the
birth. (Adapted from CMBC. (2010). Continuity of Care Policy.)
September 28, 2010/April 27, 2015
CMNL
Midwifery Competencies for midwives practicing in Newfoundland and
Labrador are similar to the ones shown on the Canadian
Midwifery Regulators Consortium (CMRC) web site.
CMRC
Competencies