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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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!

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. THANK YOU!!
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS????