The mission of the Midwives Grey Bruce is to provide safe accessible midwifery care to a diverse community of childbearing women and their families who reside throughout this vast rural catchment area. Through advocacy for these women and families we promote and encourage their choice of place of birth, informed choice decision making and the practice of evidence based obstetrics.

Midwives Grey Bruce (MGB) has been providing primary care to women and families in pregnancy, labour  birth and for six weeks after the birth since 1986.

We specialize in provision of services for home birth, in- hospital care at South Bruce Grey Health Centre in Walkerton, as well as Grey Bruce Health Services in Owen Sound. On December 31, 1993 midwives became regulated under both the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and the Midwifery Act, 1991. Since legislation we have been caring for women and newborns in home and hospital settings with costs covered by the provincial Ministry of Health. Midwifery care is completely free for all pregnant women and their newborn babies. Midwives Grey Bruce is a group of eight midwives and two support staff who maintain a busy clinic and practice. We are pleased to provide care to families in Grey, Bruce Huron, North Wellington and Dufferin counties. MGB is a committed teaching practice, providing clinical experiences for midwifery students under midwife supervision. Having a student involved in your care, means contributing to the education of future midwives in our community.

We see pregnancy and childbirth as normal states for the healthy mother. We provide care and guidance, respecting the informed choices and values of you and your family. We are skilled practitioners, specialists who attend normal birth and are trained in the detection of abnormalities in you or your baby. We are skilled and prepared to use emergency measures within the scope of our education and experience. Throughout care, clients are encouraged to make choices regarding prenatal screening, use of ultrasounds and numerous treatments, as these are available to all pregnant women in Ontario.

Regulated by the College of Midwives of Ontario, care is based on continuity of care. Throughout pregnancy, labour and birth, and for the six weeks after the birth, clients are cared for by a group of midwives. Midwives are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and provide all available services for low risk obstetric and newborn care. Midwives work closely with other care providers such as obstetricians and pediatricians, and consult with them as needed to ensure optimal health of mother and baby. The continuity of care offered by midwives provides women and families an opportunity to establish a close relationship with their care providers. One of the many benefits of care includes home visits in the days after the birth. Many women appreciate staying at home with their newborns in the early days, not having to venture out during this precious time. Women respond with high rates of satisfaction, stating they found their care to be a source of empowerment.

Midwives support choice of birth place, the right of women with normal pregnancies to give birth at home or hospital.  Midwives support the natural process of labour, but understand that there are times during which women may need to have medical pain relief such as narcotics or an epidural. Appropriate use of medical resources is important and is accessed through a timely consultation with an obstetrician or other consultant. Midwives respect that every woman’s experience is as unique as the woman herself.

We look forward to continuing to serve mothers and babies through this empowering experience.

Photo Credit Crystal Gunson