May 14, 2025
Nicole Matheson, registered midwife, stands by her Jeep with her go-bag in hand ready to meet clients wherever they are. Mobility is essential to providing midwifery care in this part of the province. Photo by Leah Hennel.
On a postpartum visit, Matheson checks in on Karlee Fellner and her two children. Fellner gave birth to her daughter in a tipi alongside Matheson—honoring the importance of respecting integrating cultural beliefs, values and practices into midwifery care. Photo by Leah Hennel.
Every morning, Matheson tends to her animals before starting her day. Rural midwifery gives her the flexibility to live the life she loves and provide the care her clients need. Photo by Leah Hennel.
At the West Country Midwives clinic, Matheson holds a newborn during a postpartum visit – one of her many stops during her day caring for people throughout their pregnancy journey. Photo by Leah Hennel.
Story by Janine Poersch | Photos by Leah Hennel
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE — It’s a crisp morning on the eastern slopes of the Rockies as the sun rises and Nicole Matheson steps outside to quickly tend to her animals.
Nurturing life is just part her morning routine on the farm. It’s a prelude to the human lives she’ll nurture when she gets to work at the West Country Midwives clinic which serves her neighbours in communities scattered across Rocky Mountain House and its surrounding areas. Her day will soon fill with prenatal checkups, test reviews and client follow-ups — and every now and then, welcoming a new baby.
A registered midwife since 2011 and nurse since 1998, Matheson’s days are fluid: she takes calls, visits homes, orders lab tests or imaging and handles intakes. On call 24/7, she and another midwife manage about eight to 10 deliveries a month in her region as well as the O’Chiese and Big Horn First Nations communities.
Wherever she goes, she keeps her Jeep fully stocked with prenatal equipment and birthing supplies. It’s a rolling makeshift mobile clinic, ever-ready to tackle the rocky terrain to reach clients.
For families in this part of the province, pregnancy comes with extra layers of planning. The nearest hospital might be an hour away — and rugged roads can upset even the best-laid plans. On top of this, some folks may be wary of the healthcare system, while others are unsure how to navigate it. This is where Matheson comes in.
This model of care — meeting people where they are — relies on trust and flexibility. Matheson knows her clients and they know her. She’s familiar with their history, including any trauma. With a relationship like this, it’s easy to see how Matheson has become their first point of contact for any event.
It’s not uncommon for Matheson to wake up to a midnight call from a worried client: “What should I do?” Knowing their history like the back of her hand, she can quickly decide if an at-home assessment, an obstetrician referral or simply reassurance is needed.
Flexibility also means supporting clients to choose the birthplace that feels right for them. Whether that’s at home, in a birth centre or in a hospital, Matheson walks her clients through the risks and benefits of each option so they can make informed decisions.
Most of the time, Matheson works with clients who have lower risk factors or are less likely to need medical intervention. When higher-risk cases arise, she works alongside an obstetrician or a team of specialists. Such teamwork is the heartbeat of why the midwifery care model works so well.
These partnerships ensure comprehensive care is always available when needed, creating a care model that’s flexible and responsive to each client’s needs.
With a strong team of providers defining rural healthcare, Matheson says she never feels alone. While she wakes up daily to the serene sounds of nature, she’s also reassured by this tight-knit community around her.
After a full and rewarding day of seeing clients — and ‘catching babies’, as she calls it, with a laugh — Matheson heads home or to community events. She loves local theatre and music, and often wraps her day with rehearsals and upbeat activities that knit her even closer to her community.
To learn more about registered midwives and midwifery services, visit AHS.ca.
