Accredited educational institution
A school that has been officially recognized by an external accrediting authority as meeting appropriate quality standards. In most countries, accrediting authorities are government organizations, but in some (e.g. USA), they are private organizations.
Continuity of care
Applicants have provided continuity of care to a single client, if they have met with the client prior to the birth, attended the birth and had at least one visit post partum.
Direct-entry midwifery education
A formal midwifery education program that does not require a healthcare qualification for entry.
Jurisdiction
The territory within which the given laws apply.
“On their own responsibility”
The midwife is responsible for all care they provide and decisions they make during the course of pregnancy, labour, delivery, and postpartum. The care and decisions are not delegated from, directed by, or supervised by any other care provider.
Other midwife
The other midwife is a midwife acting in a role other than Primary Midwife.
Out-of-hospital birth
A birth conducted by a midwife in a setting without on-site surgical (cesarean section) and/or anesthetic (epidural) capabilities. Such sites may include homes, birth centres, nursing stations, health centres, and some smaller hospitals without onsite obstetricians or surgical services.
Post-naturopathic midwifery education
A formal midwifery education program that requires a doctor of naturopathic medicine qualification for entry. Note: a formal naturopathic midwifery program that is integrated within the basic naturopathic program may also be included in this definition if it is equivalent.
Post-nursing midwifery education
A formal midwifery education program that requires a nursing qualification for entry.
Primary/principal midwife
The primary (principal) midwife is a midwife with complete, non-delegated responsibility for the care of the birthing person and their newborn. The primary midwife is normally responsible for managing the labour and delivery and for the immediate care of the newborn. In cases where complications arise, the primary midwife makes the decision to transfer care, coordinates the transfer, collaborates with the health professional to whom they have referred their client, and provides supportive care after the transfer occurs. Supervised student midwives who act in the role of primary midwife, at a level appropriate for their stage of training, are also included in this definition. This does not include births as an observer.
Self-directed midwifery education
A midwifery education program designed by and for an individual student that is not connected to a formal program. Sometimes called “apprenticeship training.” (Self-directed education must be pre-approved by a Canadian regulatory body for admission to the IEMBP).