About the Alberta Association of Midwives

As primary healthcare providers, registered midwives offer high-quality, safe, and cost-effective care throughout pregnancy, labor, birth, and the six-week postpartum period. Midwifery care empowers people to feel more in control of their health, their pregnancy, and their birth outcomes by fostering a strong partnership between the midwife and their clients.

The Canadian midwifery model of care is built on four core principles: continuity of care, informed choice, evidence-based practices, and choice of birth setting. Alberta’s midwives uphold these principles, delivering services in a sustainable manner that aligns with this model.

Currently, there are approximately 186 Registered Midwives in Alberta, attending nearly 10% of births annually.

• In 1992, Alberta became the second province in Canada to legally recognize midwives. It wasn’t until 1998, that a regulatory framework under the Health Disciplines Act was established, allowing midwives to be officially registered. In 2013, the College of Midwives of Alberta was formed, and in 2019, the profession was transitioned under the Health Professions Act.

• Midwifery services in Alberta became publicly funded by Alberta Health Services in 2009. Since that time, midwifery care has continued to grow. In 2009, midwives attended 975 births, and by 2019, this number had risen to over 4,000. In 2021, midwives attended 5,323 births.

• Mount Royal University is the only institution in Alberta offering a Bachelor of Midwifery program, which began in September 2011.

Our Mission

To promote the growth, advancement, and sustainability of midwives and midwifery services in Alberta. 

Our Vision

Midwifery is an essential, integrated, and accessible component of Alberta's primary health care system.  Regulated midwives are equitably compensated, respected, and highly trained health care providers working in sustainable models. We promote education, research, and professional advancement, facilitating high quality, culturally safe, and client centered reproductive care. 

We acknowledge the land on which we gather on Turtle Island. We are on Treaty Six, Treaty Seven and Treaty Eight Territory, which is the traditional gathering place for many who honour and respect the history, languages, ceremonies, and culture of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit who call this territory home. The first people's connection to the land teaches us about our inherent responsibility to protect and respect our Mother Earth. With this land acknowledgment, we honor the ancestors and children who have been buried here, the missing and murdered Indigenous women and men and the ongoing collective healing for all human beings. We are reminded that all treaty people have a responsibility to one another.

We stand by those who are with us, and those who are forgotten and lost. We connect with our Mother Earth for healing, guidance and teachings. Most of all, we need to put our words into actions when it comes to working with indigenous peoples.