A Day in the Life of a Midwife in Manitoba

06:00  Called to attend a home birth as second attendant.

07:00  Paged by a client who is 38 weeks, thinks her membranes have ruptured.  Arrange with midwifery partner for her to go and assess her.

08:00  Phone client to reschedule 09:00 postpartum visit.

09:00  Baby born.

09:15  Called by midwifery partner to let you know that your client’s membranes have ruptured, but is not having any contractions yet.  Plans to await spontaneous onset of labour.

10:00  Leave home birth (primary midwife still in attendance).

10:30  Arrive (late) at monthly midwifery team meeting.

12:30  Six-week postpartum discharge visit at clinic.

13:30  Paged by client who is 35 weeks reporting decreased fetal movement.  Arrange for NST (non-stress test) at hospital.

13:45  Review incoming lab reports, arrange fetal assessment for client, follow-up with public health nurse re: client with high social needs, follow-up with client who paged earlier re: decrease in fetal movement, answer phone call from client with a 3-week old baby, do discharge paperwork for clients discharged from care, follow-up with client who’s membranes have ruptured, make plan for reassessment and care.

15:00  3-day postpartum home visit.

16:00  1-week postpartum home visit.

17:00  Re-assessment of client with ruptured membranes.

20:00  Paged by client with ruptured membranes reporting labour since 18:00.

21:00  Arrive at hospital with client.

24:00  Baby born!

03:00  Leave hospital.

Note:  Not all days are this busy.  Other days, I work regular working hours (9 to 5pm), sometimes with extra time off to make up for the very long days.