Sherbrooke Record

Sherbrooke birthing centre celebrates 25 years with open house

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To celebrate the 25th anniversar­y of its opening and the 20th anniversar­y of the legalizati­on of midwifery, members of the public are invited to discover the Maison de naissance de l'estrie and the midwifery services during an open house this coming Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019 from 10 a.m. to noon. The centre is located at 65, rue de la Croix, Sherbrooke.

The Estrie region was one of the three pilot projects when the centre first opened.

Midwives have been working in the health and social services network since 1994, first through pilot projects (as in Estrie) and then through the legalizati­on of midwifery practice in 1999. In the 25 years of its existence, the number of midwives has increased from 5 to around 15. They deliver close to 400 babies a year, which represents nearly 10 per cent of births in the region.

Midwives assume full responsibi­lity for pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal follow-up for up to six weeks of the baby's life. They have a holistic and personaliz­ed approach that includes the couple and the family, with a focus on informed choices, empowermen­t and parental involvemen­t.

Parents can choose to give birth at the Maison de naissance de l'estrie in Sherbrooke, at home or in a hospital centre. Midwifery services are available to healthy women who have a normal pregnancy, which is most often the case.

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