They will offer education, counselling, advocacy and emotional support. Each midwife will take the time to build a relationship of trust and safety with each woman. If medical problems develop during pregnancy, labour, birth or postpartum, midwives work closely with specialist physicians and nursing staff. Informed Choice Midwives encourage each woman to take an active part in her care throughout her pregnancy and birth and will provide information to each woman so that she can make choices about her care. Midwives provide sufficient time during prenatal care to discuss questions about important issues like nutrition, birth plans, breastfeeding and parenting.
Midwives recognize and support the mother as the main decision-maker.
The pregnant woman chooses whether she wants to give birth at home or in a hospital. Midwives are trained to attend births in both places as well as to help individual women choose the safest place for them. Many women who opt to have a hospital birth spend time at home with their midwife before going to hospital. A midwife's training prepares her to be responsible for decisions about labour, delivery, postpartum and newborn care both at home or in hospital. The Association of Ontario Midwives can provide information on where midwifery services are located in Ontario.