With the fastest growing population in Canada, Alberta is facing increased pressure on its healthcare system, especially in maternal health services. This is illustrated by the over 50,000 babies born annually and the strain placed on the system which is only compounded by a shortage of physicians (Alberta Health Services, 2014). As a result, the province is seeking ways to improve access for families to primary care providers for maternal health services. This policy analysis will explore the current state of midwifery, the key barriers that have prevented its acceptance and growth and provide recommendations towards a sustainable system for maternal services in Alberta. Midwives have been involved with the birthing process for centuries …show more content…
Where legislation in Canada exists, midwives can provide all required prenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care for low-risk childbearing women. They work in collaboration with other health professionals and consult or refer specialists such as an obstetrician when appropriate (Canadian Association of Midwives, 2014). One of the most important aspects of midwifery is that outcomes and care for mother and infants are equivalent under a midwife when compared to a family physician or obstetrician. A defining feature of midwives is that they provide services at a significantly lower cost of approximately $4,600 per course of care in Alberta. With an obstetrician’s average cost per course of care at $5,700, savings of over $1,100 per course are realized (O 'Brien, 2010). Also, a course of care by a midwife provides more frequent and longer visiting times at prenatal and postnatal visits. This results in more time for education and promotion of population and public health indicators such prenatal nutrition and breastfeeding. Registered midwives in Alberta are currently contracted for $36 million over three years to provide midwifery services to approximately 4% of infants born in the province (Alberta Association of Midwives, 2014). Unfortunately, midwifery is not universally accessible throughout Alberta. The majority of midwives are located in urban centres such as Calgary and Edmonton while consumer groups such as the Maternity Care Consumers of
Licensed Midwives otherwise known as LMs provide care during the normal pregnancy cycle. They confer with physicians if
This means recognizing each woman’s social, emotional, physical, spiritual and cultural needs. It also acknowledge that a woman and her newborn baby does not exist independently of the woman’s social and emotional environment. This includes incorporating an understanding in assessment and provision of health care (Yanti et al., 2015). The fundamental principles of women-centred care ensures a focus on pregnancy and childbirth as the start of family life, not just as isolated clinical episodes. These motherhood phases take into complete account the meaning and the values of each woman. Providing women centred care helps women make an informed choices, being involved in and having control over their own care, this also includes their relationship with their midwives (Johnson et al., 2003). This demonstrates that midwives are able to attend for women during pregnancy, childbirth and in early parenting years. In addition to this, midwives also provide education for women in order to have a healthy lifestyle (Woods et al.,
The ANMC states that midwives should promote safe and effective practice. This competency standard involves: Applying knowledge, skills and attitudes to enable woman centred care, provide or support midwifery continuity of care and manage the midwifery care of women and their babies. Midwives providing continuity of care are able to provide safe and effective practice. They know there patients well from the woman’s blood test results to the woman’s birth plan. The midwife can provide safe and effective practice because she knows the woman best. Midwifery Continuity of care is associated with a reduction in the rate of a number of interventions, without compromising safety of care (Spiby &
Being a midwife refers to a profession where the midwife would work in partnership with the women throughout her pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period. Not only is being a midwife women-centred, however, their role also includes ensuring the partner and family members are prepared and aware of the process. Within a women’s health, the midwife should focus on health, family planning, nutrition, domestic and other health issues as the main priority is the
This essay demonstrates significant factors, a midwife and the women may face within Australian public hospitals. As a midwife the key skills are understanding of what supports and impacts the normal physiological process of labour and birth. This essay will discuss two influencing factors that have a negative effect on the normal progress of labour and birth. This will be seen, firstly by discussing the cultural and environmental impacts of labour and birth. Then, examining how the midwife may best support and facilitate the adverse effects of normal physiological process. This essay also discusses a positive labour and birth environment within the Australian standard model of care.
Midwives identify high risked pregnancies and they make referrals to doctors and other medical specialists.
Within Victoria there are multiple models of maternity care available to women. An initial discussion with the woman’s treating GP during the early stages of her pregnancy is critical in her decision-making about which model of care she will choose and this key discussion is essential in allowing a woman to make the first of many informed decisions throughout her pregnancy. According to a survey conducted by Stevens et al. (2010) only 43% of women felt ‘they were not supported to maintain up-to-date knowledge on models of care, and most reported that model of care referrals were influenced by whether women had private health insurance coverage.’ Many elements of these models of care differ: from location of care, degree of caregiver continuity, rates of intervention and maternal and infant health, outcomes access to medical procedure, and philosophical orientation such as natural or medical (Stevens, Thompson, Kruske, Watson, & Miller, 2014). According to the World Health Organization (1985) and Commonwealth of Australia (2008) there is a recognition that ‘85% of pregnant women are capable of giving birth safely with minimal intervention with the remaining 15% at potential risk of medical complications’ (McIntyre & Francis, 2012).
In this article, the authors explored the continuity of midwifery care using the caseload approach that was established in Queensland. This was to address the development of care for women experiencing inequalities and to improve birth outcomes. The authors objective was to investigate midwife’s responsibilities within their scope of practice when applying a caseload model (Midwifery Group Practice [MGP]).
Government Funding For Midwifery Across Canada Will Implement Positive Changes To Indigenous Women In Canada And Our Healthcare.
In America, midwives attend less than 8% of all births and less than 1% of those occur outside a hospital. At the same time, the US
Bernadette Ward RN, Midwife, Grad Cert Ed, MPHandTM, MHlth Sci Lecturer, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Australia. B.Ward@latrobe.edu.au Glenda Verrinder RN, Midwife, Grad Cert Higher Ed, Grad Dip Pub and Com Health, MHlth Sci Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Australia.
In 1949, just six years later, that number dropped to only 1,000 midwives with permits. Those midwives attended 5,026 births, seventeen percent of the state’s infants born that year. By 1948, Hale’s efforts led to the establishment of maternal-child health clinics in eleven counties, with more than 2,500 women receiving maternity care. In 1949, over half the state’s counties were offering some type of maternity or child health clinic. By 1950, midwife classes were conducted in thirty-two counties, and midwives with permits accounted for seventy-five percent of all midwife births. The Board of Health encouraged the use of supervised midwives. The number of deaths due to pregnancy and childbirth decreased from one hundred twenty eight in 1930 to forty three in
This is the beginning of the mother’s involvement with the midwife. This is an opportunity for both parties to establish a personal relationship, partnership. This is where education exchange can occur, recognition of responsibilities, options and choices are determined which are supported and discussed with the mother and her supporters. (Pairman, 2010, pg. 431-432)
Community midwives vary from those that work in hospitals. The former are involved from the beginning by scheduling the initial appointments, and manage and administer the workings of the clinic. As well, community midwives are present during the postnatal care at the mother's home, and are there for home births. Community midwives are to see women who are newly pregnant and take a detailed health assessment, which can be in a client's home. The midwife conduct an antenatal screening in the antenatal period so the mother to be may be informed of what's to come in the next couple of months. Once the assessment is conducted, the midwife is to assess and evaluate the risks for the client and the fetus. Afterwards, a way of care is then designed and discussed with the mother that's suitable for her and the baby. Midwives that give antenatal care to women in a clinical setting tend to be routine appointments. As aforementioned, such meetings can take
MD Marden Wagner said, “In every country where I have seen real progress in maternity care, it was woman’s groups working together with midwives that made the difference.” The Marriam Webster dictionary defines midwifery as “The art or act of assisting at childbirth”. The definition is a spot-on explanation. Midwifery is not very broad; it’s pinpointed as a specific job with detailed instructions that only deal with pregnancies. Many will argue to say that midwives only work with women who are having “normal-pregnancies”.(Goer, 2002). Normal pregnancies include a healthy mother and fetus, with no complications. “Approximately 10% - 30% of pregnant women will experience Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) during their pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy happens in 1 out of 60 pregnancies. About 1% of all pregnant women will experience placental abruption, and most can be successfully treated depending on what type of separation occurs.” (Pregnancy Complications). Everyone is different, they handle pain in different ways, they have diverse fingerprints, they all have their own unique genetic material; evidently all pregnant women will experience each pregnancy they have differently from themselves and from other women. Many people will argue about the authenticity of a Certified Nurse Midwife’s education however, in reality “Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM) are registered nurses, with a minimum of a