A profession

Québec College of Midwives (OSFQ)

The mission of the Quebec College of Midwives is to:

• Ensure the protection of the public by overseeing the quality of the practice of the profession through admission control, continuing education, monitoring the quality of practice, handling complaints and the disciplinary process.
• Promote the development of the midwifery profession in Quebec.
• Promote the accessibility of midwifery services throughout Quebec, while respecting the  choice of birthplace.
• Promote the natural character of the perinatal period to the general public and key players.

Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM)

The Canadian Association of Midwives is the national organization representing midwives and the midwifery profession in Canada. CAM’s mission is to lead the way and provide support for midwifery as a regulated, publicly funded profession that plays a vital role within the primary maternity care system in all provinces and territories. CAM promotes the development of the profession in the public interest and brings the perspective of midwives into the context of national health policy. The vision of the Canadian Association of Midwives is that midwifery is a fundamental practice in maternal and newborn health services and that all women in Canada should have access to midwifery care for themselves and for their baby.

International Confederation of Midwives (ICM)

The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) envisions a world where every pregnant woman and her newborn has access to care from a midwife. Its mission is to strengthen member associations and advance the profession of midwifery throughout the world by promoting empowered midwives as the ideal care providers for pregnant women and for encouraging normal childbirth to improve the reproductive health of women, the health of newborns and their families. The ICM comprises 131 professional associations of midwives, from 113 countries across all continents. Overall, 500,000 midwives are represented.

• ICM international definition of midwifery

Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS)

The Coalition for Improving Maternity Services is a coalition of individuals and national organizations concerned with the care and well-being of mothers, babies and families. The Coalition’s mission is to promote a model of wellness-focused maternity care that will improve childbirth outcomes and substantially reduce costs.

• How to Become Mother-Friendly

Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR)

UQTR is the only university in Quebec to offer a Bachelor of Midwifery program. It trains competent and autonomous midwives who accompany future mothers and their families from the beginning of pregnancy until 6 weeks after birth.

Portail Santé Mieux-Être

The Santé Mieux-Être portal provides useful information on midwifery services and the steps to take to benefit from them.

The development

Coalition pour la pratique sage-femme (CPPSF)

The Coalition pour la pratique sage-femme defends the right of women and families to access midwifery services in all regions of Quebec and works for the choice of birthplace (birth centre, home or hospital). It supports all women who want to give birth with the assistance of a midwife and all citizen groups who want to have access to midwifery services and birth centres.

Movement for Autonomy in Maternity and for Natural Childbirth (MAMAN Group)

Objectives of the MAMAN Group:

• Defend and promote the right of women to give birth to their child in the setting of their choice;
• Inform and build awareness within the population, and women in particular, in order to bring them to be fully autonomous with regard to the pre, per and postnatal experience;
• Promote the practice and use of midwifery services in Quebec;
• Promote natural childbirth.

Regroupement Naissance-Renaissance (RNR)

The Regroupement Naissance-Renaissance is an autonomous provincial feminist community action organization that acts as a force for social change for the humanization of the perinatal period by promoting the rights, power and commitment of women in all aspects of their perinatal experience.

Services for future and new parents

Quebec Association of Doulas (QAD)

The QAD brings together a team of self-employed birth companions (Doulas) throughout the province of Quebec. To become a member of the QAD, they must have obtained a birth doula certification and have received training in breastfeeding.

Réseau Québécois d’Accompagnantes à la Naissance (RQAN)

The Réseau Québécois d’Accompagnantes à la Naissance brings together a team of self-employed birth companions (Doulas) throughout the province of Quebec. By browsing their site, you will have access to complete information about birth support. You will virtually meet many birth companions, each of whom has a great passion for perinatality.

Accouchement vaginal après césarienne (AVAC-Info)

AVAC-Info is a non-profit organization (NPO) created in the fall of 2009. While the caesarean section rate continues to increase, affecting approximately 25% of births, AVAC-Info denounces the unnecessary recourse to caesarean section and promotes VBAC. Let’s overcome the belief that one caesarian means no other option for a future pregnancy. Yes, VBAC is possible!

Network of perinatal resource centres of Quebec

A perinatal resource centre (CRP) is a non-profit organization and a social economy enterprise offering perinatal and early childhood services to families in its region. The mission of a CRP consists of the following:

• Promote the health and well-being of families in the perinatal period;
• Promote the harmonious adaptation of life with an infant;
• Accompany and support the family in all stages surrounding maternity and paternity.

For home care services, pre-or post-natal group activities, support, networking, find your local CRP here.