Scope of Practice

A midwife is a person who has acquired the requisite qualifications to be registered and/or legally licensed to practice midwifery in Manitoba.  She must be able to give the necessary care and advice to women during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period, to conduct deliveries on her own responsibility, and to care for the infant and the mother.  This care includes preventive measures, the detection of abnormal conditions in the mother and child, accessing medical assistance when necessary and taking emergency measures in the absence of medical help.  The midwife will have a mechanism for consultation, referral, continued involvement and collaboration.

The midwife has an important task in health promotion, counselling, and education, not only for the woman but also for the family and the community.  Midwifery practice should involve antenatal education and preparation for parenthood, and extend to certain areas of gynecology, family planning and child care.

Midwives practice in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, health units, community health centres, birth centres and homes.

Approved by the MIC as a working Document April 3, 1995