Fredericton health clinic now offering midwifery services, 1st time in N.B.

The first registered midwives introduced into New Brunswick’s health-care system are now ready to accept clients.

Only two have been hired but there are scheduled to be four full-time midwives offering their services in the Fredericton region.

“We’ve been taking in patients that are due in December and beyond so hopefully the first couple weeks of December we’ll have some babies born. It will be very exciting,” said Ashley Kaye, one of the midwives.

READ MORE: Midwifery Association of New Brunswick encouraged by government’s commitment to hire

The program, which will operate of a midwifery demonstration site in Fredericton, is managed by Horizon Health Network.

“Fredericton-area women and their families will benefit greatly from the primary care services provided by our team of midwives,” said Geri Geldart, vice-president clinical of Horizon Health Network, in a press release.

“I am pleased that this new service will give women more choice as they plan for their maternity care.”

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Midwifery care extends across all stages of pregnancy, consulting through the initial months, preparing for birth and even assisting post-partum.

Deputy premier Stephen Horsman touted the new service as proof of the New Brunswick government’s commitment to improving health care.

“Your government is pleased to be moving forward with our commitment of maximizing the use of health professionals, including midwives,” Horsman said on behalf of Health Minister Benoît Bourque.

WATCH: New Brunswick Mothers hoping to have their babies delivered by a midwife worry they’re running out of time

1:52 New Brunswick Mothers hoping to have their babies delivered by a midwife worry they’re running out of time

New Brunswick announced plans for midwives in 2008 but only passed legislation last year.

Now, only Prince Edward Island and Yukon territory are without mid-wife enabling legislation, while Newfoundland and Labrador just hired its first midwife co-ordinator, although services are not yet available.

There are currently about 1,500 midwives across Canada, with half of them in Ontario, which began regulating them in 1994.

Midwives assisted in more than 38,000 births across Canada last year.

— With files from the Canadian Press