Implementation of Midwifery Services in the Annapolis Valley

Nova Scotia has recently joined the majority of Canadian provinces in implementing midwifery into the funded health care system.

The Nova Scotia Department of Health has recently contacted each District Health Authority in the province, asking them to state their interest in becoming a model site for implemented midwifery services.

These model sites will be the only areas in Nova Scotia where midwifery services will be initially implemented under Bill 107, An Act Respecting Midwifery. Responses of interest are expected from the District Health Authorities shortly.

We would like the Annapolis Valley to be one of these model sites.

There are many compelling reasons why the initial implementation of midwifery should take place in the Annapolis Valley:

1. Our Valley community has long been a provincial centre of strong interest in, and support for, the midwifery model of maternity care. In fact, since the 80's there have been midwives continually practicing in the Valley. This is true for no other region in Nova Scotia.

2. Our local hospital is overcrowded. The comprehensive midwifery model of care, which includes early discharge from hospital and home based postnatal care, would free up much-needed hospital beds.

3. With the current shortage of family doctors, especially ones who provide maternity care, low risk women in our area need midwifery care. Midwives fill an important and growing gap in our local health care system. The Annapolis Valley health district has the 3rd largest population and 3rd highest number of births in Nova Scotia.

4. The accessibility of community-based midwifery care is especially relevant to our most vulnerable populations, those whose likelihood of accessing "regular" medical care is low. Midwives can help bridge care gaps and provide equitable care across our community.