Midwives in Manitoba soon will mark a milestone in their profession.
Some time this spring – possibly April – the province will proclaim its Midwifery Act.
That will make it legal for registered midwives to practise their profession in Manitoba. It also will make midwifery a funded service within the health-care system.
“The most exciting part is that I’ll be able to practise legally,” said Gisele Fontaine, a midwife and secretary for the Midwives Association of Manitoba.
The province had previously targeted last July for the introduction of legalized midwifery in Manitoba.
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That target was eclipsed because of the time needed to get a regulatory body in place along with a set of standards. Time also was needed to assess and upgrade the training of midwives.
“It’s bringing in a new profession and there are many, many loose ends to tie up,” Fontaine said.
The effort to legalize midwifery began under the former Tory government of Gary Filmon. Gary Doer’s NDP government remains committed to that effort.
“The new government is politically very supportive,” said Yvonne Peters, midwifery implementation co-ordinator for Manitoba Health.
“There’s no doubt about that. They want to see it up and running.”
The Manitoba College of Midwives was formed to create standards for the profession.
A working group, with representation from Manitoba Health, the midwives association and regional health authorities, also was formed to discuss payment for midwives and whether they will be hired on contract or as employees.
Fourteen midwives had completed an assessment and upgrading of their skills as of Feb. 21. They will be recognized as registered midwives once the Midwifery Act is proclaimed.
“There’s a lot of interest from consumers wanting midwives,” Fontaine said. “A lot of parents, unfortunately, can’t afford one right now.”
Fontaine, who has attended about 200 births, said only about half of her clients choose to give birth at a hospital.
Manitoba’s College of Physicians and Surgeons would prefer that midwives perform the deliveries in hospitals alongside doctors. That would allow quick access to backup if an emergency arose, said Dr. Robert Walker, the college’s deputy registrar.
“We’ve agreed to disagree on the issue of home birth,” he said last week.
Walker was noncommittal when asked whether he views legalized midwifery as a good thing for the province.
“It’s something which a lot of jurisdictions in Canada are doing. I really have no comment as to whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing.”
In Alberta where midwives are not funded under medicare, few practise any more. Saskatchewan is developing midwifery standards but also does not intend to pay for the services.
