Midwives

Midwives provide expert care during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, helping families have safe and healthy experiences while playing a vital role in British Columbia’s health-care system

About midwives

Midwives deliver high-quality maternity and perinatal care across a range of settings, including underserved and rural areas. To be registered as a practicing midwife in B.C. you must be registered with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) and be a member of the Midwives Association of British Columbia (MABC).

Midwives provide the following services:

  • Assessment, monitoring and care for women/individuals during pregnancy, labour and birth and the postpartum period. Support with infant feeding and care of newborns and infants; 
  • Counselling, supporting and advising persons, including providing advice and information regarding care of newborns and infants; 
  • Contraceptive services for patients following a birth
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The midwifery model of practice in British Columbia is autonomous, community-based primary care, and incorporates the principles of continuity of care, informed choice, choice of birth setting, collaboration, accountability, ethics and evidence-based practice. 

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To become a midwife in B.C., you must meet the registration requirements set out by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) which include completion of a recognized midwifery education program.

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Clinics, clients’ homes, hospitals and other community-based settings. Midwifery care for labour, birth and early postpartum is provided in a setting chosen by the women/individual after an informed choice discussion regarding level of risk in all settings. 

Midwives respect the rights of women/individuals to make informed choices and facilitate this process by providing complete, relevant, objective information and recommendations in a non-authoritarian, supportive manner. To facilitate informed choice, the midwifery model of practice supports midwives to spend adequate time discussing options for care in the perinatal period. 

Explore midwifery jobs in British Columbia.  

Explore all jobs in British Columbia’s health authorities. 

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Please visit the BCCNM website for information about eligibility and how to apply for full practising registration as a Midwife in B.C. 

The BCCNM website will provide information for your specific pathway, whether you are a:  

  • Graduate of a BCCNM-recognized midwifery education program
  • Canadian midwife
  • Internationally educated midwife
  • Midwifery student
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B.C. news for midwives

Training more midwives

Demand for midwives has increased rapidly in B.C. Increasing the number of midwife seats at UBC means more access to pregnancy care, especially in rural, remote & First Nations communities. 

Learn more about about training

Providing free birth control 

Birth control pills, implants, injections and emergency contraceptives are now free for B.C. residents. Get a prescription from a doctor, nurse practitioner, midwife or pharmacist at, for example, a walk-in clinic, hospital, pharmacy, or through a street nurse program.

Learn more about free contraceptives

Register with Health Match BC today

Are you a midwife? Learn more about the steps to start your career in B.C.

Get help navigating licensing and immigration requirements, and start moving your career forward.

Register today