5+ Tips for Getting Midwifery Care in Alberta

Applying for midwifery care in Alberta?

Here are five tips to increase your chances of getting a spot:

1. Apply EARLY! As soon as you have a positive home pregnancy test, submit your Request for Care. You don’t need to wait to confirm your pregnancy with your doctor or wait on bloodwork results. On the flip side, if you didn’t realize you wanted a midwife until half way through your pregnancy, apply anyway. Sometimes spots open up and you might just be a perfect fit.

2. Self-refer - apply yourself! You don’t need a referral from a doctor to access midwifery care.

3. Share your understanding of the midwifery model of care and what appeals to you – do you like the support for physiological birth? are you passionate about informed decision making and autonomy? Put that in your application!

4. Let your freak flag fly – no, really. Let your personality shine through to increase the chances that you’ll find your best fit midwife.

5. Don’t assume you’re too “high risk” for midwifery care, even if a doctor told you you were. Most doctors don’t actually know what a midwife’s scope of practice includes. The best way to find out if you are or aren’t appropriate for midwifery care, is to apply and speak with a midwife.

BONUS TIP: don’t be due in July, August, or December. Midwives often plan vacations and time off during those months which means there are simply fewer spaces available. If you have the option, try to pick literally any other month to have your baby!