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B.C. Midwives Gain Power to Prescribe Abortion Pill
8 May
Summary
- Midwives in B.C. can now prescribe Mifegymiso, an abortion pill.
- The expansion includes prescribing drugs for milk suppression and hypothyroidism.
- B.C. now joins Quebec and Saskatchewan in this prescribing ability for midwives.
Midwives in British Columbia are set to gain expanded prescribing privileges, including the ability to administer the abortion pill Mifegymiso. This significant change is designed to streamline access to reproductive health services for individuals across the province.
In addition to Mifegymiso, which can be used for medical abortions and treating early miscarriages, midwives will also be authorized to prescribe medications for breast milk suppression and hypothyroidism. Furthermore, they will be able to perform obstetric ultrasounds to determine fetal location in early pregnancy.
With these upcoming changes, British Columbia will join Quebec and Saskatchewan as the only Canadian provinces where midwives are empowered to prescribe Mifegymiso for medical abortions. The province's government is collaborating with the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives to expedite the implementation of these new practices.
The B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives is currently developing the necessary standards, limits, and conditions for these expanded roles. This process includes assessing whether midwives will require additional training to undertake these new procedures, ensuring safe and effective patient care. Recent legislative changes on April 1 also broadened midwife capabilities, including IUD insertions and prescribing hormonal pills at any age.
