Government to fund additional midwife-assisted births

$1.8M will support up to 400 more expecting families

Alberta families will now have access to more midwifery services and supports after the Alberta government announced it will fund up to 400 more midwife-supported births this fiscal year.

The $1.8 million funding boost, announced Sept. 15, is expected to increase the number of publicly supported births by midwives to 2,774 this year.

“Alberta Health Services welcomes the government’s announcement and is proud to facilitate this alternative for all Albertans,” said Linda Dempster, AHS Vice President, Collaborative Practice, Nursing and Health Professions.

“Midwives support mothers and families every step of the way, from pregnancy through the birth and after. Now, with today’s announcement, hundreds of additional Alberta mothers who do want a midwife will have their preferences met.”

The funding boost was announced by Health Minister Sarah Hoffman and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Shannon Phillips.

Surrounded by midwives, new moms and their inquisitive babies, Minister Hoffman said she was proud to announce the additional funding for midwives.

“I’m a firm believer in the right health care services delivered in the right place by the right health care professional, and that’s exactly what midwives provide,” said Minister Hoffman.

“Continuity of care for women and babies is so important, and we’re proud to provide this additional support for midwifery as a safe and alternative option for women in our province.”

Midwifery services are currently funded by AHS through a “course of care” model, which is the full complement of care provided to a pregnant woman and includes pre- and postnatal care, labour and birth support.

Alberta has publicly funded midwifery care since 2009. There are currently 90 midwives who have midwifery staff appointments with AHS.

There has been a 17 per cent increase – year over year – in the number of midwives registered in Alberta from 2008 to 2012.

In the past two years, the number of midwives working in Alberta increased by 33 per cent, and that number is expected to grow as more midwives are trained.

Alberta midwifery practices receive the highest funding for a ‘course of care’ in Canada.