Welcome to Midwives Grey Bruce

Midwives Grey Bruce has been providing primary care throughout pregnancy, labour and birth, and for six weeks after the birth to women and their babies in Grey, Bruce and Simcoe communities since 1986. Since legislation in 1993, we have been caring for women and newborns in home and hospital settings with costs covered by the provincial Ministry of Health and is free for all pregnant women and their newborn babies. Midwives Grey Bruce is a group of seven full time midwives and two support staff who maintain a busy clinic and practice that serves primarily Grey and Bruce communities. We have recently expanded our clinic space, located in the heart of Owen Sound, to meet the demands for the personal care that midwives provide.

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 four midwives. The midwives are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and provide all available services for low risk obstetric and newborn care. The care includes ordering lab work and ultrasounds and offering prenatal screening tests. Midwives work closely with other care providers such as obstetricians, 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 believe that the final decisions about a woman’s health care are best made by the mother and whoever she chooses to be a part of that decision making process. Midwives spend considerable time explaining the various tests and options available to women and support the choices that women make once they have been fully informed.

Midwives support the right of women with normal pregnancies to give birth at home or hospital. Approximately seventy percent of women in our care choose to give birth at either Grey Bruce Health Services in Owen Sound or at South Bruce Grey Health Centre in Walkerton. 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. These can be 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.