Midwifery in Manitoba
Publicly funded and regulated midwifery was introduced to Manitoba in June 2000 with the proclamation of the Midwifery Act. Since that time, midwives have provided health care for thousands of Manitoba families. Manitoba midwives work in northern and remote communities, southern and rural communities, and in urban areas.
Midwives are primary care providers and part of the health care team. They can order tests, prescribe medications related to maternal/newborn care, diagnose and treat minor problems, and attend births as the primary attendant. Midwives can also refer you to family physicians and specialists, and to public health nurses and community resources. You do not need a referral to see a midwife.
In Manitoba, midwives care for woman and newborns in many settings: in communities, homes, clinics, birth centres and hospitals. They attend births in homes, birth centres and in hospitals. A free-standing birth centre opened in Winnipeg in 2011. The facility is the first of its kind outside of Quebec. The centre is a collaborative effort of the Women’s Health Clinic and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, supported by Manitoba Health. For more information, please visit: whcbirthcentre.com
Midwifery Services in Manitoba:
Four Manitoba Health Regions offer midwifery services:
- Prairie Mountain Health
- Northern Regional Health Authority
- Southern Health–Santé Sud
- Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority offers limited midwifery services through arrangements with a neighbouring region.
Working as a Midwife in Manitoba:
Midwifery is a regulated health profession in Manitoba and the title “Midwife” is protected. Any person in Manitoba practicing midwifery or identifying themselves as a midwife must be registered with the College of Midwives of Manitoba.
Information about registration in Manitoba is available from the:
College of Midwives of Manitoba
B-890 Pembina Highway
Winnipeg, MB R3M 2M8
Phone: 204-783-4520
FAX: 204-779-1490
For those with midwifery education from outside of Manitoba, the Manitoba government immigration website provides information on requirements for registration as well as information on health careers in Manitoba.
Information about current midwifery postings can be found by contacting the Midwives Association of Manitoba,or the MB Healthcare Providers Network.
For more information about primary health care services in Manitoba, contact your regional health authority office:Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority Prairie Mountain Health Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Northern Regional Health Authority Southern Health-Santé Sud For any other inquiries about primary health care in Manitoba, please contact us. |
