In Ontario, the population of 65 midwives registered in 1994 has grown to 220 in the year 2000, and is increasing at approximately 30 per year. The demand for midwifery services continues in most settings to be greater than the supply. Now is an appropriate time to review the founding principles of Canadian midwifery in this province and assess whether midwives have been successful in responding to the concerns of the childbirth movement, and specifically, in normalizing birth. It respects the diversity of women's needs and the variety of personal and cultural meanings which women, families and communities bring to the pregnancy, birth and early parenting experience. The maintenance and promotion of health throughout the childbearing cycle are central.
Midwives focus on preventive care and the appropriate use of technology.
Care is continuous, personalized and non-authoritarian. It responds to a woman's social, emotional and cultural as well as physical needs. Midwives respect the woman's right to choice of caregiver and place of birth in accordance with the Standards of Practice of the College of Midwives. They are willing to attend births in a variety of settings, including birth at home. They encourage the woman to actively participate in her care throughout pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period and to make choices about the manner in which her care is provided.