Midwifery Funded In Alberta – Baby Boom Expected

The Canadian Childbirth Association is predicting the province of Alberta can expect a baby boom starting in approximately 42 weeks as young couples across Alberta celebrate this weekend regarding the recent announcement of midwifery care coverage for all women in the province. Many women have been waiting to extend or start their families on this announcement. This is exciting news for all the women and men who have worked tirelessly throughout the years to accomplish this goal. Many thanks and gratitude to our Minister of Health and Wellness, The Honorable Ron Liepert and to the provincial government for approving midwifery funding for all Alberta women starting April 2009.

 

 

Gail J. Dahl, Executive Director, The Canadian Childbirth Association

 

 

 

 

Alberta expands health care coverage to midwifery – October 16th, 2008

Expectant mothers will have more choice and improved access to care

Edmonton… The Alberta government is improving access to maternity services by bringing midwives fully into the publicly funded health system. Effective April 1, 2009, expectant mothers who choose to have their babies with the assistance of a midwife will have that service covered. 

“This decision will provide better access and more choice for expectant women and will relieve pressure on doctors, nurses and hospitals,” said Alberta Health and Wellness Minister Ron Liepert. “Expanding the use of midwifery services will also help address the pressures on family physicians and obstetricians and meet the goal of introducing new service delivery models as outlined in the Health Workforce Action Plan.”

With this change, expectant mothers will have access to innovative, publicly funded midwifery services in a variety of locations including hospitals, community birthing centers, or in their homes. Services will be accessible across the province, in accordance with midwifery guidelines.

http://web.mac.com/pregnancysecrets

Drug Free Childbirth

In twelve years of childbirth research I have come to realize that there are three chosen settings for childbirth; hospital, birth center, and home. The couple has a choice of caregivers, physician or midwife. They can choose to bring in a labor coach, doula, to assist either the physician or midwife. The couple can decide upon having a drug or drug free birth. Today we can offer excellent support for couples choosing a drug free birth.

Many women who choose an epidural during their first birth are making different choices for their second child. Women are choosing not to have an epidural the second time for the following reasons:

1. The mothers don’t like the feeling of being drugged, or out of it, and do not like the feeling of being unable to move during labor.

2. Mothers are finding that an epidural may not control the pain as promised.

3. Mothers are realizing that the epidural does reach the baby by crossing the placenta, just as any drugs or alcohol will, causing strong narcotics to be passed through the mother across the yet undeveloped blood/brain barrier affecting the brain and cardiac function of their baby.

5. Mothers are beginning to understand that an epidural most always slows down or stops labor causing an epidural birth to be at greater risk for a cesarean section as additional drugs are used to speed up the labor, often causing stress in the baby.

4. Mothers are finding that babies who are drugged are difficult to breastfeed as the epidural drugs will remain in the baby’s system for days after the birth inhibiting the baby’s ability to breastfeed and bond with the mother in the first critical bonding and attaching days after birth. 

What are these moms experiencing with a drug free childbirth?

1. A shorter labor.

2. More effective natural remedies for labor pain.

3. Less complications with labor.

4. More emotional support during labor with hired labor coaches.

5. More natural pain relieving hormones triggered to naturally assist with pain.

6. A quicker recovery of the mother from childbirth and a feeling of empowerment after the birth.

7. More bonding and attachment occurring after birth.

8. Breastfeeding successful with the awake and alert drug free baby.

In my research I look at the studies and talk to women about their experiences. This 21st century generation has many more decisions to make than our grandmothers and mothers had to make. It is up to women as consumers to do their research and make sure they are aware of the facts that will help them to make the best of these life-altering decisions during childbirth.

Planning a drug free birth, whether a quiet birth at home, in a birth center or a hospital, will most likely give you the best results for a healthy baby and mother.

“Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets” Award winning and National Bestselling Author, Gail J. Dahl. Website http://web.mac.com/pregnancysecrets