Birth Matters for Peace Parents Maternity care and midwifery in the peace region

Who is BMPP? Formed in 2013 Resurgence of the Peace Regional Childbirth Association that was active for decades in Peace River Aim to enhance maternity care in the Peace Region

Goals Short Term: Provide local maternity care resources, dominantly online. Mid-term: Develop and enhance prenatal training focusing on the 3rd party support person. Long-term: Attract a midwife to the Peace Region.

Activities & Accomplishments Provincial Outreach & Representation Ongoing relationship and representation with MCAN (provincial level) Letter to Health Minister requesting 40 courses of care allocated to Peace Region sent in April 2016 Local Consultations & Community Conversations Diverse stakeholder engagement with BMPP (mothers, nurses, Public Health, Tribal Council, Physicians) Hosted MCAN Listening Campaign in August 2014 Hosted Community Conversation December 2014 Attended consultations for the new Clinic and Alberta Health Advisory Council Local Projects Developed website and launched January 2016 Proposal to Status of Women Canada

The Need Maternity Wards have closed within the region putting pressure on the medical system Number of births at Peace River Hospital has grown from 250 to 519 in recent years There are 1900 pregnant women on a waiting list for a midwife in Alberta The number of physicians in labour and delivery is decreasing There are midwives practicing in all AHS zones, but 90% of them are in urban settings

What is a midwifery? Midwives have been the traditional caregivers since the dawn of time Today midwives are primary caregivers for low risk births who practice evidence-based, family-centered care; often in hospitals, in birth centres and sometimes at home. In Alberta Mount Royal University has the only 4 year program available and is highly competitive. Provide care for a maximum of 40 courses of care and can be second attendant at 40 additional births.

Why Midwifery? Safe and evidence-based Provide support from pre-conception to post-natal and lactation support Medical and supportive approach Trusting relationship Midwife attends the entire labour and delivery Midwifery intervention rates are much lower Midwifery is in high demand- women are driving to YEG or relocating temporarily! IT’S CHEAPER!

Where’s my midwife??? In Alberta just 5% of babies are delivered by a midwife Midwifery graduates are leaving the province Midwives are paid from a different budget (AHS) than Physicians (Alberta Health). There is a cap on the midwifery budget, but not the physician budget. OPPORTUNITY ON THE HORIZON: The Government of Alberta has committed to a multi-year increase to the midwifery budget equivalent to 400 courses of care per year.

Attracting a Midwife Option A: Have 40 courses of care allocated to the Peace There are midwives paid through AHS in High Level & Lac La Biche Option B: Develop a partnership proposal for Alberta Health The Province is seeking alternative models (ie. Working with the PCN, Funding through Alberta Health etc.) This model exists in Rocky Mountain House Work with local PCN in Peace River or Grimshaw Ensure midwife will have hospital privileges

How you can help Join us in advocating to the province to allocating the 40 courses of care Write Health Minister Sarah Hoffman, MLA Debbie Jabbour and MLA Marg McCuaig Boyd a letter in support of this request Support midwifery in the Peace Regional Community Health Centre

THANK YOU!! QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS????