In the News

Two steps forward, one step back; Midwifery funding to be cut in NB.

Many of you are aware that things have progressed regarding midwifery legislation in this province, in fact the Act was proclaimed early this year. The Midwifery Council of New Brunswick is formed and meeting regularly.

The good news is that a (bilingual) midwife is moving to southern New Brunswick this month! Yahoo! The bad news is that it looks like her services are not going to be funded as midwifery falls victim to funding cuts. The government is still commited to funding the work of the Midwifery Council, however, there are no dollars in this fiscal year specifically alloted to hire a midwife and get her set up. With enough pressure perhaps the government would find the necessary funds to hire at least one midwife, not only to start serving pregnant women in this province but to be a part of implementation process as well. A number of other midwives are planning to set up practice in NB in the near future.

This note is a call for women to become active - call the Health Minister, talk to MPPs, write, email, get in the paper. I know we are all so busy. I know! But without us raising a bit of a ruckus at this crucial time it seems that women are going to have to wait even longer for funded midwifery in this province. We need some new leaders to help grow the consumer movement for funded midwifery in NB. Can you play a role? Could you make the time for at least one act of midwifery advocacy this week? Or next?

If you are passionate about helping bring funded midwifery to the province consider supporting this group. We are currently in the need of:

- a new coordinator of Birth Matters
- a moderator for the Birth Matters Facebook group
- someone to help keep the Birth Matters website current
- some folks to organize a rally if desired!

...basically, some folks to utilize the various networking tools to achieve the goal of making funded midwifery an option for women in New Brunswick. Is it time for a rally? A Midwifery Association of New Brunswick is being formed and will add to the advocacy work that needs to occur in this province.

Have your voice heard!
Please consider writing a letter to the Premier, Minister of Health, or your local MLA. You can cut and paste the form letter below or use the PDF version. We encourage you to edit it to add your own thoughts. You can send your letter to the following:
Your Local MLA
The Minister of Health
The Opposition Health Critic

~~~~~
Dear (Premier, Minister of Health, MLA),

Midwives are an integral part of most of the Canadian healthcare system and facilitate the health of mothers, their babies and families. New Brunswick is the third last province to publicly fund midwifery services. It is time to integrate this profession to meet the needs of women and their families.

I am writing to urge the government of New Brunswick to fund midwifery positions and to ensure midwives become full partners in the health care system with the provincial government, health authorities and other primary health care providers. Midwives provide cost effective, safe, primary health care for pregnant women and newborn babies. Midwives play an important role in influencing the culture of birth and normalizing the process by providing care in the community and reducing intervention rates. Partnership with women, continuity of care, informed choice, choice of birthplace and community-based services are fundamental to high quality midwifery care in Canada. All New Brunswickers should have access to this important model of care.

Secured funding for midwifery positions will improve recruitment strategies, thus allowing the profession to grow, and creating incentives for experienced midwives to relocate and join in maternity care in the province.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, please tell me about the strategies and targets the government is using to meet the midwifery needs in New Brunswick,

Sincerely,

Your Name
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Check back here soon for updates on the progress that has been made towarding proclaiming legislated midwifery services in NB. If you want to help keep up the momentum, please see Upcoming Events and Get Inovolved!

Past News...

Women in New Brunswick will soon have access to regulated midwifery, as in most of Canada...
Minister of Health, Michael Murphy, announced that midwifery will soon be legislated in the province by fall 2009!!
The initial press release can be viewed by clicking here.

Everyone involved with BirthMatters is very happy to have
this committment from the Minister and we have to work to ensure things keep moving in that direction!

May 2009:
A Midwifery Council of New Brunswick is currently being formed and Birth Matters will be represented. Please help us encourage the government to create a system that best meets the needs of New Brunswickers. Write the minister (and send us a copy!). Addressing the individual tenets of midwifery care (woman centred, continuity of care, informed choice, choice of birthplace), and what it is about them that specifically appeals to you, will give the council a better idea of what NB women want. If you have birthed under the midwifery model of care elsewhere give concrete examples from your experiences. The government has heard from Birth Matters; they need to hear directly from you.

Minister Michael Murphy
P.O. Box 6000
Fredericton, NB
E3B 5H1

~ Media Coverage ~
May 6, 2009 Telegraph Journal article: Front Page