Midwifery services

Midwifery services are publicly funded health services since April 2009.

Midwives provide safe services for women with low-risk pregnancies.
Midwifery health care provision is associated with fewer preterm and low-weight babies.
More information about midwifery is available on the Alberta Association of Midwives website.

In 1994, midwifery was first designated as a health profession under the Alberta Health Disciplines Act.
- Midwives in Alberta are currently regulated under the Health Disciplines Act and the Midwifery Regulation.
Registered midwives are governed by the midwifery committee appointed by the Minister of Health and Wellness.
- The day-to-day administration of the profession as well as support to the committee is provided by the registrar for midwives who is employed by Alberta Health and Wellness.
Midwives must follow the standards of practice, which are part of the Midwifery Regulation, developed to ensure the safety of expectant mothers and their babies.

To become a registered midwife in Alberta you must meet the requirements of the regulation including:

Completion of an approved program of studies; and
Passing the Canadian Midwifery Registration Exams and the provincial clinical exam.

A new midwifery program is being offered at Mount Royal University in Calgary. The program still requires final approval from the Health Disciplines Board before graduates will be eligible for registration as midwives in Alberta.
- Approved midwifery programs are available in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.
If you are interested in becoming a midwife, information is available on the Alberta Association of Midwives website, which provides links to all Canadian universities offering midwifery programs of study.