Frequently Asked Questions

A midwife is a licensed health care professional who specializes in providing medical care during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. In BC, midwives are fully responsible for clinical decisions and the management of care within their scope of practice. A midwife completes a four-year university program and must pass the national registration exam.

In British Columbia, registered midwives are recognized as primary care providers for healthy pregnancies. This means you don’t need a referral to see a midwife – they can be your main care provider from early pregnancy until about six weeks after your baby is born.

Midwives are trained to offer full clinical care, including:

• Prenatal checkups
• Ordering blood work, ultrasounds, and other tests
• Attending births
• Monitoring newborn health
• Providing postpartum recovery care and feeding support

Midwifery care is evidence-based, client-centered, and designed to support the natural process of birth while ensuring safety. Midwives are trained to recognize complications and consult with or transfer care to doctors or specialists when needed. They work closely with physicians, nurses, and other health professionals to provide seamless, collaborative care.

Midwives are regulated by the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) and follow strict professional standards and clinical guidelines. In BC, their services are fully funded through the Medical Services Plan (MSP) for eligible residents.

No, you do not need a referral to see a midwife in BC. You can choose to begin care with a midwife without needing to go through a doctor first. Contact Vernon Midwifery directly as soon as you know you’re pregnant by filling out a Midwifery Care Patient Intake Form. Space is limited, so early intake is encouraged.

Yes, it is covered by MSP. Midwifery care is fully covered by the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) for eligible BC residents. This includes prenatal care, hospital birth, and postpartum care for you and your baby. If you’re not covered by MSP, you can still access care as a private-pay client. Please indicate your status when filling out the intake form.

Midwives are regulated health care professionals who provide full medical care for healthy pregnancies, from early pregnancy through birth and the first six weeks postpartum. They can order lab tests, prescribe medications, arrange ultrasounds, and provide continuous support during labor and birth. In British Columbia, midwives are primary care providers, and their services are fully covered by MSP for eligible residents.

Doctors are also regulated health care providers. However, fewer family physicians now provide full maternity care due to workload and scheduling demands. Some offer care during pregnancy, especially for higher-risk pregnancies or complex medical situations which may fall outside the midwifery care scope of practice. Obstetricians are typically involved in specialized care or when complications arise.

Doulas are non-medical professionals who offer emotional and physical support during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. They do not provide clinical care or deliver babies. Doulas often work alongside midwives or doctors to provide continuous support as part of a client’s care team. For more information about doulas, please see the Doulas of North America or the Doula Services Association of BC.

No, for a healthy pregnancy, the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) covers only one primary care provider for your maternity care at a time: either a midwife or a physician. This includes care from early pregnancy through birth and up to six weeks postpartum. The choice of caregiver during your pregnancy is up to you.

If you choose midwifery care, your midwife becomes your primary maternity care provider from early pregnancy through birth and up to six weeks postpartum. However, you may still see your family doctor during pregnancy for non-pregnancy-related medical needs that fall outside a midwife’s scope of practice.

Here’s how that works:

• Your midwife provides all pregnancy-related care for healthy pregnancies, including prenatal visits, lab tests, birth attendance at the hospital, postpartum recovery support, and newborn care.
• Your family doctor continues to support you for health concerns not related to your pregnancy, such as colds, infections, mental health care, chronic conditions, or ongoing prescriptions that fall outside the scope of pregnancy.
• Your medical records and lab results are shared with your family doctor throughout your pregnancy to ensure continuity of care and support the transition back after your midwifery care is complete.
• Around six to eight weeks after birth, your care is transferred back to your family doctor, who resumes responsibility for both your and your baby’s general medical care.

Families who do not have a family doctor are responsible for making arrangements for their ongoing primary care. If you don’t have a family doctor, your midwife can offer guidance on how to find one for your family’s ongoing care.

Yes, midwives are registered with and regulated by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives according to the BC Health Professions Act, the Midwives Regulation of the BC Health Professions Act, and the BCCNM Bylaws. Midwives have been regulated and legally recognized as autonomous health care practitioners in BC since 1998.

Yes. Registered midwives in British Columbia are fully licensed to order and interpret all standard prenatal lab tests, genetic screening, diagnostic imaging (like ultrasounds), and other routine investigations for both pregnant clients and newborns.

Midwives also have the authority to prescribe medications commonly used in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, including those used in emergency situations, for pain management, and for postpartum recovery and newborn care.

If you require a test, procedure, or medication that falls outside of the midwifery scope of practice, your midwife will consult with or refer you to a physician or specialist to ensure you receive the appropriate care.

Yes. Midwives offer a full range of pain relief options, including both natural comfort measures and pharmaceutical options, such as epidurals, when you give birth in hospital.

Pain relief is a personal choice, and your midwife will support you in making decisions that reflect your preferences and needs. These options are discussed during your prenatal visits, and you’re welcome to explore them further through prenatal classes in your community.

Whether you plan for an unmedicated birth or want medical pain relief, your midwife will provide respectful, evidence-based support throughout labour and birth.

Yes. You can transfer to midwifery care at any point during your pregnancy, as long as space is available. There’s no referral needed, and it’s perfectly okay to begin care later in pregnancy if your situation or preferences change.

If you’re considering a transfer, we encourage you to submit an intake form as soon as possible, as availability can be limited depending on your due date. We’ll review your information and let you know if a spot is open.

Yes. Midwives support your right to choose your birth setting, based on informed decision-making and clinical safety. In British Columbia, healthy, low-risk clients may choose to give birth either in hospital or at home.

At Vernon Midwifery, births are attended at Vernon Jubilee Hospital only. Home birth services are not currently offered at this practice.

Across the province, about 70% of midwife-attended births take place in hospitals, though this varies by practice and region.

If you’re interested in learning more about home birth in BC, here are some helpful resources:

• BCCNM: Home & Community Birth Standards, Limits, and Conditions
• CMAJ: Outcomes of planned home birth with registered midwife versus planned hospital birth with midwife or physician
• UBC: Home Birth – An annotated guide to the literature

At your first visit, your midwife will review your medical history and discuss whether your care falls within the midwifery scope of practice. If your pregnancy is considered low-risk, you can receive full care with a midwife.

If complications arise at any point during your care, your midwife will follow the clinical guidelines set by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). These guidelines outline when to consult with or transfer care to a physician or specialist to ensure your safety and the safety of your baby.

Midwives work closely with obstetricians, pediatricians, and hospital staff and can arrange a smooth and timely transition of care when needed. In many cases, the midwife stays involved in a supportive role, even after transfer.

Your safety always comes first, and your care plan will adapt if your needs change.

Choosing a midwife as your primary care provider in BC is associated with a lower rate of cesarean births. That said, sometimes a planned or unplanned C-section may be the safest choice for you or your baby.

Midwives are trained to recognize when a cesarean might be needed and will support you in making informed decisions—whether during prenatal care or while in labor. If a C-section is recommended, your midwife will typically remain involved in your care, supporting you through the decision and staying present during the surgery whenever hospital policy allows. They also continue to provide newborn care and support immediately after birth.

Following a cesarean, clients usually stay in hospital longer. Your midwife will visit you and your baby in hospital until you’re discharged, and then continue postpartum care at home or in the clinic for the usual six-week period.

Your safety and comfort are always the priority, and your midwife will guide you through the process with clarity, compassion, and continuity of care.