What is Continuity of Care?
In our new blog segment, the Alberta Association of Midwives discusses the important topics that matter to midwives and birthing people across our province. Join us as we take an inside look at the unique, personal and compelling practice of midwifery in Alberta.
Continuity of Care – What does it mean?
The practice of midwifery in Alberta is based on the seven principles of The Canadian Midwifery Model of Care. Principle #3 is Continuity of Care.
What does that mean? Simply put, continuity of care means that you will be cared for by the same midwife or group of midwives throughout your birth journey – pregnancy, labour and postpartum for the first six-weeks after birth.
Let's take a deeper look at why continuity of care is important for birthing people and their babies.
It Builds Relationships
Imagine having to introduce yourself and re-explain your birth wishes every time you saw a new care provider? It's unlikely you'd have an opportunity to build a meaningful relationship.
Having sufficient, unhurried time with the same midwife or a consistent group of midwives allows you to build familiarity and trust, and it means you aren't wasting time re-explaining your wishes or answering the same questions.
Feelings of anxiety and uncertainty around birth are totally normal – by having the opportunity to build a relationship with your midwife, you're more likely to feel prepared for labour and birth.
It Provides More Informed Choice
Continuity of care creates more opportunities for in-depth discussion about your birth choices. Understanding the benefits and risks of your options is critical for fostering informed choice.
When you get to know your midwife on a more personal level, your midwife will better understand your unique values, beliefs and wishes, which allows them to make the best recommendations possible. In turn, you'll be better equipped to understand and weigh your options – and that improves your ability to make decisions that are right for you.
It Supports Mental and Physical Health
When your midwife gets to know you on a more personal level, they will be better able to recognize and support any mental or physical health challenges you may be facing, and this can allow for positive early intervention.
Having a relationship with your midwife also creates emotional and psychological safety, which is essential during a vulnerable time like pregnancy and birth. Continuity of care is an important part of supporting the physical and mental health of you and your baby.
It Improves Outcomes
Studies show that continuity of care improves outcomes for birthing people and their babies. A 2022 study from Global Public Health found that midwife-led continuity models were associated with lower rates of preterm birth, lower rates of fetal loss and neonatal death, less need for intervention and more positive experiences of care.
Continuity of care has also been shown to help reduce adverse perinatal outcomes that are driven by economic and social inequities.
It Helps Midwives Do Their Job Better
Midwives benefit from continuity of care models too. Continuity allows midwives to utilize their full skillset across the pregnancy, labour and postpartum journey.
By getting to know their clients on a deeper, more sustainable level, midwives are better equipped to understand their client's needs, gain their trust and provide them with the best care possible.
Now you know why continuity of care is so important that it forms one of the fundamental principles of the Midwifery Model of Care! At the Alberta Association of Midwives, we will continue to advocate for access to midwifery care in our province and the value of continuity in that care.
The Alberta Association of Midwives promotes the growth and sustainability of midwives and midwifery services in Alberta. We tell the stories of midwives in our province so that the profession of midwifery is understood, respected and valued in our communities.
If you have a story to share about midwifery in Alberta, connect with us to be featured in a future blog post.
