Midwifery in Canada - Alberta

Report submitted September 2007 by the Alberta Association of Midwives

Alberta midwives are slowly increasing in numbers despite the lack of provincial funding for midwifery care. As of September 1 2007, Alberta has 31 Registered Midwives and 6 Student Midwives.

Steering committees have been formed to address the initiation of midwifery education in the province. Funding continues to be our major issue, with some work being done with the Primary Care Networks. One rural network has incorporated a midwife into a shared care model, offering hospital based births. Currently Alberta is only funding hospital based midwifery services, the Stony Plain Shared Care program and the recently developed model in Rocky Mountain House, which employs one midwife. Ongoing discussions with both the province and regional health authorities will continue to persevere for a fully funded model offering full scope of midwifery care.

On a sad note, the only free standing birth center in Western Canada is threatening to close its doors due to rising costs and lack of public funding for midwifery. The Arbour Birth Centre, situated in Calgary, which has been in operation since 1993 announced in the spring that its doors may close in early 2008. Funding proposals have been submitted and we continue to wait for a response, as we remain ever hopeful.

Contact Information
Main PO Box 11957
Edmonton, Alberta , T5J 3L1
Phone: (403) 660-1696
Website: www.alberta-midwives.com
Email: albertamidwives@shaw.ca