On March 10, 2008, Health Minister Don McMorris announced that The Midwifery Act had been proclaimed as provincial legislation. The Midwifery Act took effect on March 14, 2008.
Midwives are health-care professionals who have specialized education in midwifery and are registered and licensed with the Saskatchewan College of Midwives. They view pregnancy as a state of health and childbirth as a normal process. Midwives support and respect each woman’s right to make choices about her care, caregiver, and place of birth. Midwifery care includes quality health care, education, counseling, and support for childbearing women. The midwife works with each woman and her family to identify their unique physical, social, and emotional needs. They are trained to identify problems or complications and can provide emergency treatment until additional assistance is available.
A Midwife in Saskatchewan:
- works with a pregnant woman and her family to provide care and support during pregnancy, labour, birth, and the six weeks after the baby is born.
- is an expert in normal pregnancy, birth, and care up to six weeks after birth.
- collaborates with doctors, nurses, alternative/complimentary therapists, pharmacists, lab and ultrasound technicians, and others to provide the best care possible for the woman, her baby, and her family.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a midwife do?
A midwife provides care for you during your pregnancy, assists you to deliver your baby, and cares for both you and your baby for six weeks after the baby is born. A midwife can order tests and procedures as well as consult with other health professionals as needed.
What is the process I need to follow to see a midwife?
Once your pregnancy is confirmed, call the Midwifery Program at (306)778- 5118 or toll free at 1-877-401-8071. You will be booked for an Information Session. This session provides you with the information you will need to decide whether midwifery care is the right choice for you and your family.
At the session you will be asked to provide some basic health information to the midwife. This will help the midwifery team to ensure that they are the most appropriate health professionals to care for you in this pregnancy.
All requests for Midwifery services may not be accommodated due to screening criteria and caseload limitations.
Do I have to pay for midwifery care?
No. Midwifery services provided by the Cypress Health Region are covered by Saskatchewan Health medical coverage.
Do I need a referral to receive midwifery care?
No. You can be referred by someone else, but you can also refer yourself to receive care. All requests for service may not be accommodated due to screening criteria and caseload limitations.
Should I see a midwife and a doctor at the same time?
The type of caregiver you choose during your pregnancy is your decision. You can choose care by a midwife or by your doctor. If you choose a midwife, the midwife will collaborate with your doctor as required.
If I have a midwife, where will my baby be born?
At this time, all births will be assisted by the midwife and the Women and Children staff at the Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current, SK.
How do I know my midwife has the necessary skills to care for me and my baby?
All midwives in Saskatchewan must be registered in order to practise midwifery. To register, the midwives must meet the required education and training requirements outlined by the Saskatchewan College of Midwives.
You can ask your midwife to talk to you about their specific education and training, or you can talk to the Midwifery Registrar for Saskatchewan by calling (306)781-1352.
Does the midwifery program have a waiting list?
Most months there are more women requesting services than can be safely accommodated. In those months we do have a waiting list. We encourage women to call in as early as possible.
What the Cypress Health Region Offers:
- Care given by well-educated and well-qualified health professionals.
- Care that focuses on you, your baby, and your family.
- Care that respects who you are and what you want during this pregnancy and birth.
- Care that involves you in decisions during the pregnancy, birth, and the six weeks after the baby is born.
- Care that looks at pregnancy and childbirth as a natural process while recognizing and using medical resources as needed.
- Care that is collaborative, allowing for midwives, doctors, nurses, and other health professionals to work together for your health and your baby’s health.
For more information on the Midwifery program please contact the Primary Health Care department at 1.877.401.8071 or 1.306.778.5118.
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm