Homebirths in Manitoba

 No where near the end....but baby is on the brain....and place of birth is on my brain....

Something is going on with our Manitoba midwives, and I don't know what it is. Yes, it is evident that there is a MAJOR shortage and everyone knows it. But there are many midwives waiting, ready to pay for the Manitoba licensing exam (with Midwifery training from other countries)....but something has it all on hold!?

I have heard that BC controls MB midwifery licensing - I don't know anything of course - I'm just a client who catches 3rd party gossip.

(From our 3rd homebirth, Elousia's birth)

Something is up! I wonder....clients of midwives generally are cost saving on the medical system. Less cesareans happen, less drugs, less intervention, and even less days in the hospital = lower costs. BUT does the medical system want that? As life saving as the medical system is, anyone who has done their research also knows that it is also a business! 

(Elousia, almost 4 years ago)
 
Two of my friends who each have had 4 or more homebirths in manitoba were recently refused midwifery care. This is unbelievable. One chose unassisted.

I am baffled. I was always under the understanding that clients whose plan was to have baby at home, were first priority. I'm sorry if this sounds unkind to those who've chosen hospital. It's definitely not meant to be.  Home or hospital, folks choose for the same reason, fear, faith, comfort zone, beliefs. "You are brave to have your baby at home!" and "You are brave to have your baby in the hospital!"

The thing is, with the midwifery shortage, there will be a rise in private midwifery and it is already starting. It's almost as hard to find one of these as it is raw milk :)

 

(Elousia, today)

I know it is a rude suggestion that there is some conspiracy, some high power in the medical system trying to squash out midwifery. But in the possible attempts to do this, it's just forcing some to choose unassisted. In a Saskatchewan community where the Cesarean rate is 80% (absolutely abominable) - *I am not against Cesareans in emergency - they save women and baby's lives every day*. I am against unnecessary, control that some medical staff have used and abused in the case of an 80% rate in one town! Research indicates a link between a woman's birth experiences and postpartum depression. Isn't it something that the medicalization of birth is relatively new in our history? *Again I'm more than aware that this has saved lives. I do wonder if it's a pretty equal statistic that they have also caused as much unnecessary intervention?

 

(Israel, 16 months this month, while Mama 17 wks pregnant)

It's not that often, in recent years, that I use my blog to vent - and so in that case, I am so sorry!

We, mothers, are looking for answers. We are responsible mothers, trying to choose what's best for our families, our babies and ourselves.