Are You Considering A Midwife For Your Delivery?

NC – Although one in every six Canadian babies was delivered by a midwife last year, midwifery remains a mystery to many couples. Yet all around the world, delivery by a trained midwife is safe and effective for mothers with low-risk pregnancies.

“Even in the world’s poorest countries, with few hospitals on hand, a properly trained midwife can mean both life and health for mother and baby alike,” says Cheryl Hotchkiss, who heads up World Vision Canada’s advocacy campaign on child and maternal health.

Overseas and in Canada, midwives do more than just help on the day of labour. They provide checkups, assessments and advice all the way through the pregnancy. And Canadian midwives often offer choices such as home births, water births, or births with family members involved.

Here are some things to bear in mind if you’re considering a midwife:

• Make sure that your candidate is accredited by the Canadian Association of Midwives.
• Ask how many years she’s been practicing.
• Ask whether she has “hospital privileges” should you need to be admitted during delivery.
• Share your birth plan early. Not all midwives offer water births, for instance, or accommodate large family groups.
• Consider whether your pregnancy is high-risk. Midwifery isn’t advisable if you have

complications during pregnancy, if you’re carrying twins or triplets, if you have gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, or any other type of chronic illness.