BC midwives receive expanded role that includes prescribing abortion medication

Midwives’ role in the BC healthcare system is being expanded to allow for better access to abortion, continuous pregnancy care and other reproductive health services. 

This change was announced by the BC government on International Midwives Day, on Tuesday, May 5th, although it will take some time to implement the changes. 

Specifically, midwives in BC will be expanding their scope of practice to include:

• Prescribing Mifegymiso to treat an early miscarriage or to provide a safe medical abortion within the first trimester
• Prescribing Levothyroxine for management of hypothyroidism
• prescribing Cabergoline for lactation suppression; to stop breast milk production after childbirth
• Performing ultrasound for more obstetrical needs, such as to determine where the fetus is located during early pregnancy

“At a time when reproductive health is under attack, we’re taking action to protect and uphold it here in BC,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. 

“These scope of practice changes makes it easier for people to access safe, compassionate and timely abortion services closer to home, while also strengthening pregnancy care. As a rural resident, I know how essential this is for people in communities where access can be limited.”

There are only two other provinces in Canada—Quebec and Saskatchewan—where midwives are able to prescribe Mifegymiso for medical abortion. 

According to the Province, allowing them this authority in BC will especially benefit people living in rural and remote areas where access to reproductive care is limited. 

This move will increase access to safe, confidential and timely services closer to home for many British Columbians.

Though these changes have now been announced, the Province says it will take some time to implement them. The BC government is working with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) to regulate the changes before they are put in place. 

These changes are just the latest in BC’s effort to expand midwives’ scope of practice. As of April 1st, midwives are able to provide people with copper IUD insertions and other birth control methods, including prescriptions for hormonal pills at any stage of life. 

As of April, there were 499 registered midwives practising in BC. Last year alone, midwives were involved in around 30% of births in the province, including in home births.