For the last 4 years alberta health services has included midwifery as a primary care for expectant women. before that, women had to pay the expense out of pocket.
In the province of alberta there are less than 100 registered mid wives- and before last fall- none of those midwives were available south of high river.
But now a new clinic is open in southern Alberta, giving women another option for delivery.
Some women feel pre and post natal care and delivery can be stressful in an unknown environment like a hospital.
For those anxious moms, a new type of primary care is now available in southern Alberta
“It’s another option for mothers who are low risk and healthy, its another option for women who desire a home birth,” says Eve Verdon.
Julie smith is expecting her 3rd child in October. She says she was interested in a home birth with her first two, but the cost wasn’t covered then and the closest midwife was in High River, “The thought is always scary of having the baby in the car and from Cardston to Lethbridge is far enough. I’m grateful to be in my home town.”
All three of the midwives at Cardston Midwives have hospital privileges for Calgary in case they need to accompany a patient to the hospital.
They serve the surrounding area of Cardston as well so they are now trying to get similar privileges for hospitals in southern Alberta.
“The ability to birth in a hospital might make some women fell more comfortable with the location they are in. As midwifes, we know comfortable women have a more positive birth no matter where they are,” says Terri Demers, a Registered Midwife with Cardston Midwives.
When it comes to concerns about being to far from essential services like operating rooms and pediatrics, some who live in rural areas say, no matter where they go into labor- those thoughts are disturbing..
“Living in Cardston, I’m away from essential cares already so no matter where, unless I went into Lethbridge and hopefully got their in time. Where I live was giving me that problem,” says Kathryn Parker, a mother of 5 who delivered her last baby just a few months ago with one of the Cardston midwives.
Eve Verdon says even though at homes births are not ideal for everyone, all women should have the choice, no matter where you live.
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