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Midwives are health professionals who have specialized midwifery education and training including completing a bachelor of midwifery degree or equivalent. They must be registered by their provincial regulatory body in order to practise.
Midwives are funded by the government. They provide primary care to pregnant people and their newborns. A midwife provides care to support the health and safety of the birthing person and their baby from early pregnancy, through labour and birth, until 6 weeks after the birth (postpartum). Midwives provide care in clinics and hospitals, homes, and birth centres.
How to find a midwife If you’re in Alberta and you would like a midwife as your primary caregiver for your pregnancy, you need to register with the Alberta Association of Midwives. You don’t need a referral from a doctor.
Midwives offer complete care during pregnancy including regular appointments, ultrasounds, routine blood work, and emotional support. They can order prenatal lab work and screenings and can prescribe medicines. Midwives work with a specialist (obstetrician, perinatologist, or pediatrician—a children’s doctor) if any problems happen during pregnancy, labour, birth, or postpartum.
Adaptation Date: 2/24/2022
Adapted By: Alberta Health Services
Adaptation Reviewed By: Alberta Health Services
Adapted with permission from copyrighted materials from Healthwise, Incorporated (Healthwise). This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty and is not responsible or liable for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
