Advertisement

HIV prenatal care home in Saskatoon aims to keep mothers and babies together

Click to play video: 'HIV prenatal care home aims to keep mothers and babies together'
HIV prenatal care home aims to keep mothers and babies together
WATCH ABOVE: Sanctum 1.5 is focused on the health of HIV-positive mothers to prevent vertical transmission, while addressing social factors that lead to child apprehension – Feb 14, 2019

It’s a full house at Sanctum 1.5 in Saskatoon.

The home in the Pleasant Hill neighbourhood offers prenatal health care and support to women who are living with, or at risk of contracting HIV.

“Often times in our community, when women are pregnant, the services don’t come in until after they’ve had baby, which is really counterproductive to keeping moms and babies together,” Sanctum Care Group executive director Katelyn Roberts said.

The 10-bed home opened on Oct. 1, 2018, and is currently at capacity.

“We have 10 moms here in total, seven who have had their children,” Roberts said.

Story continues below advertisement

“Having only been open for a short period of time, and only having 10 beds is something that we struggle with,” Roberts said.

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“Knowing that there are many women out there who are at risk of having their children apprehended and often times with the right support, that doesn’t necessarily need to happen.”

Sanctum 1.5 is said to be the first of its kind in Canada. Devin Sauer / Global News

A mother can continue to stay at the care home for three months once her baby is born. An integrated team works with the woman for up to a year, to help her transition into the community.

Roberts said the care home often works with women who are dealing with trauma, addiction, mental illness and poverty.

She said it is important to provide high-risk pregnant women with supportive housing and harm reduction to prevent child apprehension.

Story continues below advertisement

“Typically, if you are homeless and you are struggling with addiction, your baby is not going to come back to you, but this offers an alternative to that,” Roberts explained.

Katelyn Roberts is the executive director of Sanctum Care Group. Devin Sauer / Global News

“The change that we’re making, in terms of preventing the long-term harmful impacts of being in foster care, you can’t put a price on that, and you can’t put a price on a mom and baby bonding and being together,” Roberts said.

Sponsored content

AdChoices