The province's midwives are close to locking down a three-year funding contract with Alberta Health Services (AHS) even as the maternity care providers enjoy their first month under a new professional college, according to the president of the Alberta Midwives Association.
The agreement, expected by the end of the month, would be a huge vote of confidence for a profession that continues to be welcomed further into the mainstream medical system.
"It's a great time to be a midwife in Alberta,î said JoanMargaret Laine, noting the health-care professionals have been operating simply under a memorandum of understanding since 2009.
"Before that if you wanted to have a midwife you'd have to pay for it.î
The potential AHS deal comes as the new professional college lends additional credibility to midwives, and may help improve access to more extensive maternity care for rural Albertans.
Of 77 registered midwives in the province, 17 serve rural areas, but their availability pales in comparison to demand.
"There's a shortage of maternity care providers, particularly in rural areas,î Laine said, adding the professional college will streamline the registration process for midwives. "It's enhanced care that is close to a woman's home. It's a lot less stressful for the mom.î
Fred Horne, Alberta's Health Minister, confirmed contract discussions are going well and said having a professional college for midwifes, similar to the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta, will add support for workers.
"There's actually quite a tradition in Alberta of using midwifes in the health system,î Horne said. "There's an increasing interest in the province.î
The regulated vocation will now come under the Health Professions Act and allow midwives to set their own bylaws, he noted.
"This gives them the right to set standards and practices for their profession that are binding,î he said, adding he thinks public confidence in midwifery will grow as a result. "It provides for a higher level of assurance.î
Jennifer Bindon, a registered midwife with Prairie Midwives in Red Deer County, is excited by the prospect of stable provincial funding for an ever more respected occupation.
"I'm proud to be a part of it,î Bindon said. "Midwifery is definitely an up-and-coming profession. All low-risk women should have access if they're eligible.î
Her company works with future mothers and partners within a 20-minute drive of Red Deer.
She also cares for mothers who come from further away, but more travel would be involved for those families. Out of hospital births can be attended to in their coverage area.
"We're not just there for 20 minutes or an hour at the delivery,î she said. "One of the main benefits is continuity of care. You have the same caregiver all the way through.î
Bindon says having a professional college will enhance autonomy for midwives in Alberta.
"I think part of that is recognition,î she said. "It just gives us a bit more credibility.î
