Midwifery 101: Understanding the Scope and Expertise of Midwives

What Does it Take to Become a Midwife?

The journey of bringing new life into the world is one filled with anticipation, joy, and sometimes uncertainty. Midwives act as guardians to expectant mothers by offering care and support combined with expertise gained from years of training. 

Becoming a midwife requires a dedication to education and continued professional development. 

In Alberta, the path to becoming a registered midwife requires a four-year Bachelor of Midwifery (B.Mid) degree. The program always includes a combination of academic coursework and clinical training so future midwives understand the full scope of their roles. 

Midwifery students spend years learning the physiology of pregnancy and childbirth as well as prenatal and postnatal care. Any midwife will tell you that their role isn’t purely medicinal - they also need to support birthing individuals emotionally, as well as physically. Giving birth is an extremely vulnerable time for those giving birth - a midwife is a supporting partner as well as a medical professional. 

That’s why clinical placements are, perhaps, the most important aspect of a midwife’s education. Students have the chance to gain hands-on experience under the watchful eye of experienced midwives. 

Stacy Peleskey, a midwife and ambassador for the AAM, shares her experience of the unique blend of hands-on and academic training midwives receive:

“I was working as a nurse and did a fair bit of maternity and labor and delivery work. I didn’t really know what midwives were or did until I attended a presentation by local midwives. I was hooked from my first experience shadowing a midwife at a birth. The supportive approach was so different from the medical management I was used to.”

Midwife Education and Experience Requirements

After finishing their Bachelor of Midwifery, midwives need to pass a national certification exam administered by the Canadian Midwifery Regulators Consortium (CMRC) to prove they have the knowledge and skills needed to provide the safest possible care to birthing individuals.

Midwifery training centers offer continuous education so that midwives can keep their skills and knowledge up to date. This may include attending workshops and conferences highlighting new industry developments. Additional training is often mandatory, especially in areas like neonatal resuscitation and emergency procedures. 

Our AAM ambassador and midwife, Carly Beaulieu, shares just how important continuous learning is:

“Midwifery is an ever-evolving field. We must stay current with the latest research and best practices to provide the best care possible to our clients. It’s a commitment to lifelong learning.”

Beyond Training: What Credentials Do Midwives Need to Maintain?

As well as their bachelor's degree and national certification, midwives in Alberta are also required to register with the College of Midwives Alberta (CMA) - a regulatory body that ensures midwives continue to adhere to professional standards and ethical guidelines. 

Additionally, registered midwives need to hold certifications in: 

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) 

• Neonatal Resuscitation

• Obstetrical Emergency Skills

This is to manage any life-threatening emergencies that may happen during childbirth. Midwives also need to complete annual continuing education to stay current with their registration. 

A common misconception many midwives face is that midwives are there as supportive partners first, but this isn’t the case. The amount of training required means that midwives have earned their stripes as medical professionals. Pelensky highlights this:

“Many people think midwives are just there to hold your hand during labor, not realizing that we are medical professionals with extensive training and expertise. We are primary care providers who can manage all aspects of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.”

But are there more misconceptions that non-midwives should be aware of? 

Common Misconceptions About Midwifery

Despite the integral role that midwives play in the medical field, there are still misconceptions about the profession. Some think that midwives lack the medical training needed to handle complications during childbirth. This isn’t the case. As you can see, midwives go through extensive training to be able to handle normal and complex pregnancies and births. 

As Carly Beaulieu explains, “Midwives are trained to provide comprehensive care and are skilled in recognizing when medical intervention is necessary. We work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals to ensure the safety and well-being of our clients.”

Another common misconception is that midwives only attend home births. While they do attend home births, midwives also work in hospitals and birth centers. Providing a choice of birthplace is fundamental in honoring the right of choice for the parent. Individualized care plans are always, first and foremost, a priority. 

Are You a Midwife? Contract AAM

If you’re a midwife in Alberta and would like to share your story to improve the advocacy and awareness of the midwifery profession, please don’t hesitate to email us at jo.samu@alberta-midwives.ca. Your unique experiences can help to highlight the role that midwives play in healthcare and improve the growth of excellent midwifery services in Alberta. 

We’d also love to hear about parents' midwifery experiences. If this sounds like you, please email us at jo.samu@alberta-midwives.ca to tell your story. Every word can help amplify the voices of midwives and the birthing individuals they support so that everyone can access safe and compassionate care. 

For more information or to get involved, visit the Alberta Association of Midwives website. Your support will make a huge difference in promoting the well-being of birthing people and their families in and around Alberta. 

Join the Conversation: #MidwiferyMattersAB and #BirthWithChoiceAB

If you’d like to join the conversation surrounding midwifery, we invite you to participate in discussions on social media. Share your stories and experiences, or even show your support to midwives using the hashtags #MidwiferyMattersAB and #BirthWithChoiceAB.

Connecting with the community and spreading messages about the importance of midwifery goes a long way in reducing the stigma that surrounds our profession. Open and honest conversations will lead to better access to midwifery services in Alberta and beyond.