EXPAND MIDWIFERY

My wife, aided by two very capable and caring midwives, gave birth in our home a year ago to a healthy girl.

The care and guidance we received from these women before, during and after labour was top-notch, and it was an experience we have recommended to countless people since.

The reality, however, is that midwifery in Saskatoon is severely understaffed, with only three midwives and an ever expanding waiting list. Many families who want the care of a midwife over that of a doctor are now being denied this experience.

It’s not clear why this is happening, given the demand for their services. However, one has to think that the many misconceptions about midwives held by both the general public in Saskatoon and the mainstream medical profession are playing a role.

Midwives are highly trained and specialized. Research shows that homebirths are as safe as hospital births. I sometimes think that people believe using a midwife for a homebirth means you can’t get out in case you need to go to a hospital for a C-section or some other medical intervention.

However, many families go to the hospital if things do not go as planned at home. Many other families plan for a hospital birth with their midwives.

I hope that the Saskatoon Health Region and the province realize the value of midwifery to the people they serve and will explore ways to expand the program. Peter Dodson Saskatoon