Standards

1. Midwives are autonomous health care professionals within the maternity 
   care system.

2. Midwifery practice is both an art and a science. It focuses on he care of women throughout the childbearing cycle, and is based
   on a specialized body of knowledge, derived from midwifery research, 
   the biologic, psychologic and social sciences, and the humanities.

3. Midwives apply their specialized knowledge of the childbearing cycle 
   while assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the  
   care of clients in their clinical practice.

4. Midwives recognize and respect the woman's right to make informed 
   choices, and work in partnership with the woman, who shares 
   responsibility for her own care. This partnership is based on mutual 
   trust.

5. Midwives, using a holistic approach, provide continuity of care to the client throughout the childbearing experience.

6. Midwives collaborate with other health professionals and, when the client's condition warrants, consult with and/or refer the client to
   other appropriate professionals.

7. Midwives practice in such a manner as to optimize safety for mothers and newborns in their care.

8. Midwives are responsible and accountable for their practice as determined by their "General and Specific Competencies", by the 
   midwifery regulations and the Health Professions Act 2010.

9. Midwives practice according to the ethical standards of the profession as outlined in the provincial midwives' "Code of Ethics"'


Standards with Indicators

1.	Midwives are autonomous health care professionals within the 
	maternity care system.
	Midwives:
	*	may act as the first point of entry to the maternity
		health care system;
	*	initiate, maintain, and conclude a professional 
		relationship with each client;
	*	practice independently in all settings, in and out of 
		hospital, in accordance with the provincial model of midwifery
		practice;
	*	admit and discharge clients to and from hospital;
	*	order diagnostic and screening tests as needed by clients;
	*	prescribe medications as outlined in the Midwifery 
		Formulary;
	*	refer directly to other appropriate professionals, such as
		social worker, obstetrician, physiotherapist, lactation 
		consultant.

2.	Midwifery practice is both an art and a science. It focuses on the
	care of women throughout the childbearing cycle, and is based on a
	specialized body of knowledge, derived from midwifery research, the 
	biologic, psychologic and social sciences, and the humanities.
	Midwives:
	*	identify and emulate role models who exemplify the
		philosophy and ideals of midwifery care;
	*	search for and utilize information from a variety of 
		sources;
	*	analyze and critically assess research related to
		midwifery practice;
	*	participate in research that will improve quality of
		care and advance the midwifery profession;
	*	share midwifery knowledge with students and peers;
	*	participate in continuing education to maintain and
		update knowledge and skills.

3.	Midwives apply their specialized knowledge of the childbearing 
	cycle while assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the care
 	of clients in their clinical practice.
	Midwives:
	*	use skills of observation, communication, and physical
		assessment in planning, implementing, and evaluating midwifery
 		care;
	*	determine from the assessment data, relevant information
		required for individual client care;
	*	develop and implement a plan of care based on the 
		assessment data;
	*	justify decisions with reference to knowledge and theory.

4.	Midwives recognize and respect the woman's right to make informed
	choices, and work in partnership with the woman, who shares
	responsibility for her own care. This partnership is based on 
	mutual trust.
	Midwives:
	*	determine the woman's knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and
		values regarding the childbearing experience;
	*	solicit from the woman her needs and expectations 
		concerning the childbirth experience and the midwifery 
		role;
	*	share midwifery knowledge with clients to facilitate
		informed choice and self responsibility for care;
	*	collaborate with the woman to develop a birth plan;
	*	act as an advocate to protect a woman's right to
		autonomy, respect, privacy, dignity, and access to 
		information.

5.	Midwives, using a holistic approach, provide continuity of care to
	the client throughout the childbearing experience.
	Midwives:
	*	provide care from preconception through the postpartum/
		neonatal period;
	*	provide care which integrates the unique biologic,
		psychologic, social, cultural, and spiritual dimensions 
		of the woman and her family;
	*	ensure that the woman is cared for during childbirth by
		a midwife who has been involved in her prenatal care.

6.	Midwives collaborate with other health professionals and, when the 
	client's condition warrants, consult with and/or refer the client 
	to other appropriate professionals.
	Midwives:
	*	recognize when the needs of the woman/neonate exceed the
		scope of midwifery practice;
	*	are cognizant of the provincial "Indications for
		Consultation and Transfer of Care";
	*	communicate and consult with other members of the health
		care team as necessary regarding client care;
	*	transfer care to the appropriate health professional as
		outlined in the provincial "Indications for Consultation
		and Transfer of Care";
	*	create an environment in which cooperation, collegiality,
		and mutual respect amongst health care team members can
		thrive.

7.	Midwives practice in such a manner as to optimize safety for
	mothers and newborns in their care.
	Midwives:
	*	assess safety considerations and risks, and inform the
		woman of same;
	*	ensure that appropriate professional care and resources
		are available for the woman and/or newborn as necessary;
	*	maintain certification and/or registration for cardio-
		pulmonary resuscitation, emergency skills, and neonatal
		resuscitation;
	*	ensure that essential and well-maintained equipment is
		available for each birth;
	*	ensure that a midwife and one other qualified attendant
		are present at each birth.

8.	Midwives are responsible and accountable for their practice as 
	determined by the midwifery regulations under the Health Professions
	Act.
	Midwives:
	*	maintain current registration/licensure;
	*	function within the legally recognized scope of practice
		of midwifery and within all relevant legislation;
	*	document timely and accurate reports of all observations
		and interventions;
	*	perform planned interventions in accordance with policies,
		procedures, and/or care standards;
	*	provide all relevant data for national and provincial data
		bases;
	*	contribute to ongoing development of policies and 
		standards within the midwifery profession.

9.	Midwives practice according to the ethical standards of the 
	profession as outlined in the provincial College of Midwives 
	"Code of Ethics".
	Midwives:
	*	are cognizant of and comply with the provincial midwives
		"Code of Ethics";
	*	demonstrate honesty and integrity in interactions with
		others;
	*	report unsafe practice or professional misconduct to the 
		appropriate person or body;
	*	ensure confidentiality of information except with the
		woman's consent or as required by the Personal Health
		Information Act 2008.


				March 2001 revised September 2010