G.3.19 Midwives at the Scene

PURPOSE

To ensure Paramedics and Midwives work collaboratively to provide quality patient care to each patient during out-of-hospital births where a Midwife is engaged.
 

APPLICATION

• Paramedics
• Paramedic Superintendents
   

PROCEDURE

A Midwife is educated and qualified to provide supervision, provide advice and is responsible for patient care during pregnancy, during labour and during the post-partum period. The Midwife is licensed to provide spontaneous normal vaginal deliveries, and to care for both the mother and neonate.

Where Paramedics are dispatched to a request for service for an out-of-hospital birth, where a Midwife is engaged, Paramedics shall:

• Determine capacity of the person assisting with the delivery (i.e. trained midwife, nurse, person of non-medical background).
• Confirm with the patient the role of the person retained.
• Confirm that the Midwife has AOM membership. 

Paramedics shall work cooperatively with the midwife in providing quality care to the patient and neonate throughout the call. The Midwife holds status as the most responsible person for care. 

Should Paramedics have concern with regard to the Midwife’s management of their patients, Paramedics shall discuss the concern with the Midwife and patch with the Base Hospital Physician.

Following transfer of care, Paramedics shall document in the ePCR the Midwife’s presence.