Ontario
Midwifery Education Programme
Midwives in Ontario are trained in a four year degree baccalaureate programme offered through Ryerson, McMaster and Laurentian Universities. After graduation, registration is offered by the College of Midwives of Ontario to those students fulfilling the following criteria:
- Successful completion of the 4 year B.HSc. in
Midwifery, and, Under the guidance of an
experienced midwife:
- Attendance at a minimum of 60 births
- Primary midwifery care provided to at
least 40 women
- Continuity of care provided to 30 women and their newborns (5 prenatal visits, attendance at the birth and 3 postpartum visits)
The midwife must be competent both at home and in the hospital; therefore of the 60 births attended: 10 must be home births with 5 as primary midwife, and; 10 must be hospital births with 5 as primary midwife. Further information can be obtained from:
Ryerson Polytechnic University
350 Victoria Street,
Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3
Telephone: (416) 979-5104
Fax: (416) 979-5271.
McMaster University
St. Joseph's Hospital, 50 Charlton Avenue East,
Hamilton, Ontario L8N 4A6
Telephone: (905) 521-6015
Fax: (905) 521-6014.
Université Laurentienne
Programme de sage-femme
935, chemin du lac Ramsey
Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6
Telephone: (705) 675-1151 ext 3951
Laurentian University
Midwifery Education Programme
935 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6
Telephone: (705) 675-1151 ext 3951
Clinical Course Descriptions
Introduction to Midwifery
After a one week introductory session, the students spend the first two terms of the programme following women throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and the postpartum to gain an understanding of women's experiences in pregnancy, birth and early parenting. The student's role is support and observation. Through small group discussions, students will be oriented to the midwife's role and the philosophy of practice in Ontario.
Midwifery Care I
This clinical course involves four weeks of structured learning experiences to prepare for an eight week placement in a midwifery practice. The placement focuses on prenatal and postnatal assessment skills, providing labour support, and monitoring maternal and fetal well-being during labour. Certification in CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation is done at this time.
Midwifery Care II
This sixteen week clinical course provides the student with an extended period of clinical experience, primarily within a midwifery practice under the supervision of a midwife preceptor. The course begins with a one week structured learning period and then moves into individualized placements. The placement focuses on clinical skills in prenatal, labour and birth, postpartum and newborn care. Students begin to act as primary care givers under supervision in the role of both the first and second midwife.
Midwifery Care III
This sixteen week clinical course is a continuation of clinical practice under the supervision of a midwife preceptor. The students will further develop their knowledge and skills relating to topics in prenatal, labour and birth, postpartum and newborn care. The focus will increasingly be on the development of clinical judgment, decision making, and the recognition of indications for consultation while acting as primary care giver in the role of both first and second midwife. Students will provide prenatal care to the clients whose births they will attend in the clerkship.
Midwifery Care IV
By completion of this course, the student will have integrated theoretical and clinical content progressively and have acquired a sound knowledge base and the clinical skills to provide midwifery care under supervision throughout the childbearing cycle in the role of both first and second midwife. Students continue to develop decision making skills and will focus on indications for transfer of care and on emergency skills. They continue to develop relationships with other health care providers. Students will provide prenatal care to the clients whose births they will attend in the clerkship.
Midwifery Care Clerkship
In this final term of clinical practice, the emphasis will be on clinical judgment and decision making skills. The student will be expected to provide primary care in the full role of primary midwife in all phases of childbirth care in all settings and should plan care and make clinical decisions under the supervision of a registered midwife. According to the College of Midwives of Ontario, Clerkship students may act as one of the two midwives present for the birth.