PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY
Midwives
A midwife is a registered health care professional and must be registered with the Midwifery Council of
New Brunswick. Registration with the Midwifery Council of New Brunswick signals that the individual has obtained the required education, experience, and that they have access to life-saving medications and equipment when required for emergency care.
Unlawful Practice of Midwifery
There are individuals who claim to be qualified to provide midwifery services (such as providing prenatal care, attending labour, delivering babies and managing home births) and may refer to themselves as variations of “birth attendant”,“birth keeper”, or “traditional midwife”. These individuals are NOT REGISTERED MIDWIVES. This is unlawful, dangerous, and could lead to tragic outcomes.
Reporting
ALL UNREGISTERED INDIVIDUALS OFFERING MIDWIFERY SERVICES ARE TO BE REPORTED TO THE MIDWIFERY COUNCIL OF NEW BRUNSWICK. To report unregistered midwifery, please click here.
The Risks to You and Your Baby
Receiving care from an unauthorized provider is an inherent risk which can lead to tragic outcomes:
Important Note on Doulas
Doulas play an important role in a positive birth experience. Doulas provide physical and emotional support to birthing people during labour and birth, while midwives provide clinical care. Doulas do not perform clinical care, including managing labour, performing assessments (for example, checking cervical dilation or listening to/assessing fetal heart tones), or delivering the baby. These are the functions and practices of a registered midwife.
A midwife is a registered health care professional and must be registered with the Midwifery Council of
New Brunswick. Registration with the Midwifery Council of New Brunswick signals that the individual has obtained the required education, experience, and that they have access to life-saving medications and equipment when required for emergency care.
Unlawful Practice of Midwifery
There are individuals who claim to be qualified to provide midwifery services (such as providing prenatal care, attending labour, delivering babies and managing home births) and may refer to themselves as variations of “birth attendant”,“birth keeper”, or “traditional midwife”. These individuals are NOT REGISTERED MIDWIVES. This is unlawful, dangerous, and could lead to tragic outcomes.
Reporting
ALL UNREGISTERED INDIVIDUALS OFFERING MIDWIFERY SERVICES ARE TO BE REPORTED TO THE MIDWIFERY COUNCIL OF NEW BRUNSWICK. To report unregistered midwifery, please click here.
The Risks to You and Your Baby
Receiving care from an unauthorized provider is an inherent risk which can lead to tragic outcomes:
- In the case of an emergency, you and your baby will not have access to life-saving medical equipment and medications, which may lead to permanent harm or death;
- You will not have access to important health care services supported by Medicare, including ordering lab tests, ultrasounds, medications, specialist referrals;
- You will have no ability to verify credentials and experience; and
- You will have no ability to recover damages in court as the unlicensed individual will not have malpractice insurance (insurers do not provide coverage to people who are performing illegal acts).
Important Note on Doulas
Doulas play an important role in a positive birth experience. Doulas provide physical and emotional support to birthing people during labour and birth, while midwives provide clinical care. Doulas do not perform clinical care, including managing labour, performing assessments (for example, checking cervical dilation or listening to/assessing fetal heart tones), or delivering the baby. These are the functions and practices of a registered midwife.