Midwives, Calgary parents hold rally ahead of Alberta budget

About a hundred people gathered in front of the McDougall Centre in downtown Calgary to raise awareness about midwifery in this province.

The rally was set up by parents calling for more support for midwives who want the province to increase its cap on the number of courses of care that are currently funded.

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"We just want to make sure that as consumers our voices get heard," organizer Eileen Vanier said.

"It is important to us where the funding goes and that we are looking for a more sustainable long-term funding model for midwives."

Currently, the province funds 2,774 courses of care a year. However, about 1,800 women in Alberta are currently on a wait list for care from one of the province's midwives.

Vanier said she knows a number of women who are on that wait list. 

"They're not sure if they're going to be birthing with a midwife, they're not sure how soon they're going to be accepted," she said.

"Some of these women are worried that they're about to birth in June and they still don't have either a doctor or a midwife so its a very stressful situation for them."

Rebekah Ferguson, a mom of two, was on the wait list for her first child. She was able to give birth to her second with the assistance of a midwife. 

She said she feels the province has been too self-congratulatory with its work so far with funding for midwifery. Last fall, the NDP government contributed $1.8 million more to midwives, enough to support an additional 400 courses of care.

But with nearly 2,000 still on the waiting list, that's not good enough, Ferguson said.

"It hasn't resolved the issue whatsoever," Ferguson said. 

The Alberta government is expected to address midwifery care and funding in its April budget. In a release on Wednesday, Health Minister Sarah Hoffman said her government is committed to increasing choice for Alberta mothers.

"Midwives give expecting mothers an alternative option that is safe, compassionate and effective," Hoffman said. "This government recognizes the excellent and efficient care that midwives provide."

Hoffman said she and associate minister Brandy Payne will meet soon with advocacy groups, as well as the Alberta Association of Midwives. 

"We have a lot to talk about, and I know we share a desire to work together," Hoffman said.