Community Midwives of Halton was established in 1997, and has grown over the years to a large group practice of over a dozen midwives. Midwives work as primary care givers, with a specific scope of practice as outlined by the College of Midwives of Ontario. The provincial government covers the cost of midwifery service for residents.
We are a teaching practice. As such, you may be asked to meet a midwifery student either from McMaster, Ryerson or Laurentian University who is attending the Midwifery Education Program. There is typically a waiting list for midwifery care and clients are encouraged to apply as soon as they discover they are pregnant. Provincial demand for midwifery services continues to increase, so the need for graduating more midwives (by teaching midwifery students) is very important.
Our midwives deliver over 500 babies a year; about a quarter of these are in the home setting. We have privileges at Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, and Milton District Hospital where we practice to our full scope. Advocacy for the appropriate use of technology is part of our beliefs as midwives. Midwives believe in a woman’s right to make responsible, informed choices regarding all aspects of her pregnancy and birth. We also provide continuity of care throughout the pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period.
The experiences of pregnancy and birth have a profound and lifelong influence on women and their families. We believe the significance of this event should be respected, and we endeavor to guide families in making the transition to parenthood a joyful one.
Please read our “Informed Choice Agreement” for more information about how we work.