B.C. midwives issue warning against unauthorized care
Posted November 6, 2023 8:55 pm.
The BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) has issued a warning about people providing midwifery care without being qualified.
They say making the decision to go with an unauthorized provider can lead to many risks.
“BCCNM is aware of individuals unlawfully practicing midwifery by providing prenatal care, attending labours, delivering babies, and managing home births when they are not permitted to do so,” the BCCNM stated.
“These individuals do not have the same training, experience, and access to life-saving medications and equipment as midwives, nor integration with hospitals for emergency care if needed, resulting in significant risks to the health and safety of birthing persons and their babies.”
If you are uncertain about a person’s authorization as a midwife you can search BCCNM’s online registry to verify whether an individual is currently registered with BCCNM.
If a person’s name is not on the online registry, then the college says they are not a registered midwife in B.C. It asks anyone who encounters an unauthorized provider to report them via email at complaints@bccnm.ca.
The BCCNM says Midwifery is a regulated profession in the province and “midwife” is a protected title.
The college says it has received reports of tragic outcomes, including death, from people using unauthorized midwives.
CityNews has reached out to the BCCNM for more information on the matter.
