‘Midwives are primary care providers,” explains Theresa Pickart, registered midwife with the IWK Community Midwives.
For 40 years, Theresa has dedicated her career to midwifery. She joined the IWK in 2009 as one of Nova Scotia's first registered midwives when the profession became part of the provincial health-care system.
Theresa works alongside her midwifery colleagues to provide comprehensive care from early pregnancy through six weeks postpartum, while also caring for newborns during their first six weeks of life. Midwives share care and are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring families always have access to support when they need it most.
Based at the Midwifery Clinic in the Dr. Maria Angwin Memorial Wyse Road Health Clinic in Dartmouth, Theresa provides prenatal and postnatal care while supporting families in making informed choices about their birth experience, including the option of giving birth at home or in hospital. During the first week after birth, midwives visit families at home to support breastfeeding, monitor the health of both parent and baby, and help families confidently transition into life with a newborn.
Since March 2025, Theresa has also been working in the innovative Hospitalist Midwife role at the IWK.
“This new role has given me a broader perspective on how care is provided throughout the IWK,” she says. “It's been exciting to see our multidisciplinary team recognize the value that midwifery brings to families in hospital.”
In this role, Theresa provides prenatal care in the Early Labour Assessment Unit (ELAU) and Obstetrical Day Unit (ODU), supports water births in the Birth Unit, and helps families as they transition from hospital to home. One of the most rewarding parts of her work is providing breastfeeding support.
“I see firsthand that even one visit can make a difference in a family's breastfeeding journey.”
For Theresa, the greatest motivation comes from the families she serves.
“Hearing from families about the continuity of care they received, having time for informed choice discussions, and feeling supported throughout pregnancy, birth and postpartum reminds me why this work matters. Whether the feedback is positive or offers ideas for improvement, it inspires us to continue providing the best care we can.”
Looking ahead, Theresa hopes the Hospitalist Midwife role will become a permanent part of the IWK team, expanding access to midwifery care for even more families. She has also recently joined the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) Committee, where she is working with colleagues across disciplines to find new ways to support breastfeeding and the transition home after birth.
“The Hospitalist Midwife role has shown just how essential midwives are in providing primary maternity care,” says Theresa. “I'm grateful the IWK has given us the opportunity to be part of this innovative model of care, and I'm excited to see how it continues to grow.”