According to the Ontario Midwifery Act (December 31, 1993),

"The practice of midwifery is the assessment and monitoring of women during pregnancy, labour and postpartum period and of their newborn babies, the provisions of care during normal pregnancy, labour and postpartum period and the conducting of spontaneous vaginal deliveries."

This is consistent with the definition accepted by the International Confederation of Midwives and the World Health Organization (WHO), which states that a midwife is:

"A person who, having been regularly admitted to a midwifery education program, duly recognized in the country in which it is located, has successfully completed the prescribed course of studies in midwifery and has acquired the requisite qualifications to be registered and/or legally licensed to practice midwifery. She must be able to give the necessary supervision, care and advice to women during the pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period, to conduct deliveries on her own responsibility and to care for the newborn and the infant. This care includes preventative measures, the detection of abnormal conditions in the mother and child, the procurement of medical assistance and the execution of emergency measures in the absence of medical help. She has an important task in health counseling and education, not only for the patients but also within the family and community. The work should involve antenatal education and extends to certain areas of gynecology, family planning and child care. She may practice in hospitals, clinics, health units, domiciliary conditions or in any other service."