Evolution of Midwifery Practices in Canada

This chapter examines the historical changes and recent developments in midwifery care across Canada, focusing on the distribution and regulation of midwives in provinces like Ontario, BC, and PEI. It highlights the shift towards integrating midwives into the healthcare system, emphasizing the balance between midwifery and obstetrician care, as well as the expanded role of midwives in providing comprehensive services including drug prescriptions and treatments. The chapter also addresses the initial resistance from the medical community towards midwifery, the evolution of regulations to ensure patient safety, and recent studies showing the safety and satisfaction of midwife-assisted births in both home and hospital settings.