Midwives, families bring birthing tubs to Alberta legislature to push for improved funding

A large group of Alberta families gathered at the legislature Wednesday, celebrating midwifery support from the NDP government but also urging improvements in funding.

“The current government has been absolutely supportive of furthering midwifery funding in the province,” Jennifer Wilson, vice president external for the Association for Safe Alternatives in Childbirth, said.  “So today is just a celebration.

“We want to demonstrate to the government that this is a really important issue for women in our province.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We want to demonstrate to the government that this is a really important issue for women in our province."

Wilson said the funding model could use some adjustments.

READ MORE: Alberta government to fund 400 more births by midwives this fiscal year 

“The cap currently for midwives is 2,774 births for all of Alberta,” Wilson explained.

The Alberta Association of of Midwives (AAM) said AHS has offered the same number of courses of care for 2016/2017 as it did last year. There are already more than 1,800 women on waiting lists for midwifery care in Alberta, the AAM said.

“Births are happening no matter what the funding is so increasing that will save taxpayers in health dollars,” Wilson said.

READ MORE: More midwives could save millions of women’s, infants’ lives: UN 

But the province said its current fiscal situation means funding promises cannot be made.

“Our economy is in a tough situation right now and we’re moving forward with as many efficiencies within our system and looking at ways at delivering those health care outcomes that Albertans can expect,” Associate Health Minister Brandy Payne said. “At this point, it’s too early to say.”

READ MORE: Pregnant women using social media to get Alberta Health’s attention 

Many at the rally also expressed concern that if the province doesn’t fund more midwifery care, Alberta midwives and students will move to other provinces to find work.

“I wish we could say we can move quickly,” Payne said. “We’re going to have to do what we can with the resources we have.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I wish we could say we can move quickly," Payne said. "We're going to have to do what we can with the resources we have."

In the short term, the AAM would like to see the province fund 3,800 midwifery services annually, but is hoping to see a better, long-term funding arrangement.