Midwifery

Overview

Midwives are primary health care providers who care for and advise women during pregnancy, labour, birth and the postpartum period; and provide care for newborn babies. Midwives have well-developed interpersonal skills and are competent in areas of health education, counselling and interprofessional collaboration. Midwives’ expertise in the care of normal pregnancy and childbirth arises from their understanding of childbearing as a social, cultural and biological process and from their ability to competently exercise clinical skills and decision-making. Midwifery is potentially one of the most important components of women’s health care in Ontario. Midwifery education provides the base for sound professional practice. The educational program is an integral part of the evolution of the profession of midwifery in Ontario and is a leader in midwifery education in Canada. The program helps create future leaders and teachers. It assures practice and teaching as a continuum so that learning environments become available across Ontario.

The Midwifery Education Program at McMaster University is a collaborative venture shared by McMaster, Ryerson and Laurentian Universities, and leads to a Bachelor of Health Sciences (B.H.Sc.) in Midwifery.

Why Midwifery at McMaster?

McMaster University offers a long-standing reputation as Canada’s “most innovative” university. McMaster has pioneered a number of programs that have changed how professors teach and students learn.

McMaster’s philosophy toward health sciences education is community-oriented, people-centered, interdisciplinary and problem-based. Our students are exposed very early to patients and their problems in settings ranging from community health care practices to specialized hospital services. Professional teamwork is emphasized.

The midwifery Faculty members are highly respected leaders in the midwifery profession. Faculty also maintain clinical practice. They regularly publish in professional journals and give presentations in national and international forums.

Graduates from our BHSc (Midwifery) program are eligible for registration in Ontario and meet internationally accepted standards. Career prospects are excellent. McMaster midwifery graduates have worked in midwifery practices across Ontario, in other parts of Canada and the world.

 

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Midwifery

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Below is a list of some courses, including a brief description, that you may find yourself taking during your first year of this program. For formal policies governing mandatory courses and the order in which they have to be completed, please refer to McMaster’s Undergraduate Calendar.

Some Courses You May Take

This course covers basic concepts of human structure and function, genetics and embryology through lectures, demonstrations and appropriate laboratory assignments.
Lectures/tutorial (four hours), labs (two hours); both terms
Prerequisite(s): Registration in the Midwifery Program (B.H.Sc.)
Co-requisite(s): HTHSCI 1BS0 if not already completed
Antirequisite(s): BIOLOGY 1J03, 3U03, 3UU3, HTHSCI 2F03, 2FF3, KINESIOL 1A03, 1A06, 1AA3, 1X06, 1Y03, 1YY3, MEDPHYS 4XX3, SCIENCE 4XX3
This course draws on perspectives from sociology, anthropology, cultural studies and women's studies to explore the challenges and opportunities of working across differences of race, class, sexuality, ability (and other markers of difference) in midwifery care. The course will focus on developing and strengthening the skills required to work competently and compassionately across social and identity differences among and between midwives, midwifery clients and other health care providers.
Lectures/tutorials (three hours); both terms
Prerequisite(s): Registration in the Midwifery Program (B.H.Sc.)
An interdisciplinary introduction to Women's Studies focusing on how women and men shape and are shaped by culture (including popular culture), systems of power and institutional ideologies.
Two lectures, one tutorial (three hours); one term
An interdisciplinary introduction to Women's Studies that explores women's historic and current collective efforts to transform social, economic and political conditions both nationally and globally.
Two lectures, one tutorial (three hours); one term
Introduction to the principles of clinical research and statistical inference, with particular emphasis on critical assessment of research evidence (both qualitative and quantitative) as presented in the health sciences literature related to midwifery care.
Lectures/tutorials (three hours); second term
Prerequisite(s): Registration in the Midwifery Program (B.H.Sc.)
Antirequisite(s): HTHSCI 3C04
Seminar presentations, discussion and arranged experiences to introduce students to the history, philosophy of care, and role of the midwife in Canada and elsewhere. Seminar (three hours); first term
Prerequisite(s): Registration in the Midwifery Education Program
Antirequisite(s): MIDWIF 2G06 
This course provides an overview of basic concepts relating to chemistry, biochemistry and microbiology. Content areas will include practical applications of clinical chemistry, specimen collection, related disease entities and pathologies, and the significance of laboratory values.
One lecture (three hours) one lab (two hours); first term
Prerequisite(s): Registration in the Midwifery Program (B.H.Sc.)
Co-requisite(s): HTHSCI 1D06 A/B
Antirequisite(s): MIDWIF 1C03

Bachelor of Health Sciences – Midwifery

Since Midwifery is a direct entry program, students admitted to this program specialize in Midwifery from first year to the end of the program.

Some Courses You May Take

This course will examine the Aboriginal concepts of health and wellness. The wholistic traditional approach will be used in the classroom as well as in visits by elders, medicine people and class trips to places of health, wellness and healing.
Lectures and seminars (three hours); one term
Prerequisite(s): Three units of Level II Indigenous Studies or permission of the instructor
Not open to students with credit in INDIGST 3CC3, if the topics were Traditional Approaches to Healing and Wellness or Indigenous Peoples Health.
This course will examine the concept of traditional medicines, their histories and their connection to Aboriginal philosophies of wellness (studied in Part I); procedures for procurement and use of the medicines will be addressed and emphasis will be placed on the reasons for efficacy.
Lectures and seminars (three hours); one term
Prerequisite(s): Three units of Level II Indigenous Studies or permission of the instructor
Not open to students with credit in INDIGST 3CC3, if the topics were Traditional Approaches to Healing and Wellness or Indigenous Peoples Health.
This course emphasizes intrinsic and extrinsic methods of regulation of reproduction and also provides the basis for understanding alterations from normal mechanisms including the influence of medical conditions.
One tutorial (three hours); first term
Prerequisite(s): HTHSCI 1D06 A/B and registration in the Midwifery Program (B.H.Sc.)
Antirequisite(s): MIDWIF 2D03
First clinical placement under the supervision of a registered midwife (18 weeks): students focus on beginning level skills for the care of women experiencing normal childbearing. Weekly problem-based tutorials include normal antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum and newborn care situations. Second term
Prerequisite(s): HTHSCI 2M03, MIDWIF 1D03, 2F03, 2G06 (or 1A06 or 2G03). A minimum GPA of 6.0 in first term is required.
Antirequisite(s): MIDWIF 2E12
This course is an overview of basic concepts in pharmacy, pharmacology and therapeutics relevant to the practice of midwifery in Ontario. Content areas include pharmacokinetics, toxicology, adverse drug reactions during pregnancy and lactation and pharmacology in the neonate.
One lecture (three hours); first term
Prerequisite(s): HTHSCI 1D06 A/B
Lecture, demonstration and laboratory practice of fundamental skills for midwifery practice. This course combines theoretical aspects with clinical lab as well as including short placement components in which students attend births and midwifery clinics. One Lecture (three hours), Lab (three hours); first term
Prerequisite(s): MIDWIF1D03 
Antirequisite(s): MIDWIF 2G03
May be taken concurrently with MIDWIF 1D03 with permission of the Program Director.
A five day intensive course using workshop format to focus on emergency interventions, evidence based management of prenatal and intrapartum situations and communication. Students receive instruction from midwifery faculty and interdisciplinary experts in preparation for community placements and senior midwifery clinical placements.
First term
Prerequisite(s): MIDWIF 2H15
Web-tutorial and lecture format are utilized to provide a greater theoretical understanding of progressively complex midwifery scenarios. The course will also focus on situations where midwives consult and or work collaboratively with other care providers in the provision of care.
Prerequisite(s): MIDWIF 2H15 
Co-requisite(s):MIDWIF 3K06 
Students will be placed in clinical settings and supervised by physicians, nurses, social workers and other health and social service providers. Some placements may be hospital or community-based while others involve a combination of clinic and hospital on call work. Through these varied experiences, students will gain insight into the roles of other health and social service professionals, develop communication skills and learn how to function in an interprofessional team. Students will be given an option to arrange one placement out of province or out of country pending approval.
Prerequisite(s): MIDWIF 2H15 
Co-requisite(s): MIDWIF 3J06 
Students will be placed in clinical settings and supervised by physicians, nurses, social workers and other health and social service providers. Some placements may be hospital or community-based while others involve a combination of clinic and hospital on call work. Through these varied experiences, students will gain insight into the roles of other health and social service professionals, develop communication skills and learn how to function in an interprofessional team. Students will be given an option to arrange one placement out of province or out of country pending approval.
Prerequisite(s): MIDWIF 2H15 
Co-requisite(s): MIDWIF 3F03 

Clinical Education

Clinical courses consist of a clinical placement and concurrent problem-based weekly tutorials. Students are assigned to a midwifery practice for an extended period of time to ensure continuity of care to expectant mothers and supervision from a clinical preceptor. Throughout the program, students will be placed in more than one midwifery practice and will gain clinical experience in a hospital setting and with an obstetrician. Due to limited placements, students should expect to relocate or travel for clinical placements. Travel and living expenses are the responsibility of the student.

Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
8:30 a.m.
HTH SCI 1J03

Life Sciences for Clinical Practice (Lecture)
9:30 a.m.
HTH SCI 1D06

Anatomy and Physiology (Lecture)
10:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
HTH SCI 1C06

Working Across Difference in Midwifery (Lecture)
HTH SCI 1D06

Anatomy and Physiology (Tutorial)
MIDWIF 1D03

The Midwifery Profession (Lecture)
HTH SCI 1J03

Life Sciences for Clinical Practice (Lab)
1:30 p.m.
HTH SCI 1D06

Anatomy and Physiology (Lecture)
2:30 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
HTH SCI 1D06

Anatomy and Physiology (Tutorial)
4:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
WOMEN ST 1A03

Women, Culture, and Power (Lecture)
HTH SCI 1D06

Anatomy and Physiology (Tutorial)
WOMEN ST 1A03

Women, Culture, and Power (Lecture)

The Midwifery Program is based out of the Michael DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery.

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