Feature -- by Karen Rocznik

The practice of midwifery seems like something out of folklore and legend. Stereotypical images of the medieval witch doctor or the spiritual earth mother, complete with burning incense and new age muzak in the background, are prevalent in modern-day society.

In reality, midwives are highly trained medical practitioners who examine and monitor women expecting a normal, risk-free pregnancy. They councel women concerning diet, excercise and guide the parents through the birthing process . And while the art of midwifery has been around for thousands of years, today's midwife has adapted and incorporated the latest technological advances in medicine into her practice. For example all midwives in Alberta are required to carry oxygen, drugs and have emergency back up plans for homebirths. Despite the perception that midwives are only responsible for delivering babies, their role encompasses so much more.

"It's important to establish a relationship with the parents," says Bobbie Fraser, a midwife at Briar Hill Birth Centre. "You are also looking at the woman as a whole to make sure physically she is OK, mentally, that she is adjusting to the pregnancy and that her social situation is well."

Fraser (right) and Sylvia Spayne

Fraser began her career as a midwife in Britain 24 years ago. Since then she has delivered hundreds and hundreds of babies. "Too many to count!" Fraser was also involved with the Foothills Hospital Midwifery Program in Calgary, which began in October, 1990. The program allowed women to have midwives deliver their babies in a hospital environment. However, this past June the program was put on hold. Plans to reinstate it are in the works for October.

In the meantime, women requesting midwifery care have two options. They can give birth at home or at a birth centre, such as Briar Hill. Because midwifery care is not covered under Alberta Health, families wishing to have a midwife have to pay $2,000 out of their own pocket. An additional $500 is tacked on if the woman decides to have her baby at the birth centre.

Women requesting to become midwives themselves have limited options, in Alberta anyway. As of now, there are no colleges or schools that offer midwifery programs in the province. However, Beverley O'Brien at the University of Alberta is trying to change that. She, along with a team of others, developed an education proposal for a midwifery program at the U of A.

"The myth is that midwifery is not scientific," she says. "Today, midwives have to be really well prepared." The four-year direct entry program is designed to reflect all aspects of health care."There's a heavy clinical emphasis with students out in the community with midwives. It also includes a basic science component and an apprenticeship. It's a demanding program that also looks at the philosophy of midwifery."

Arie, Michael, Sonya ans Elise

While all the guidelines and curriculum for the program are in place, O'Brien and her colleagues will have to wait until the province funds midwifery services under the province's health care plan. Currently, only Ontario and British Columbia fund midwives. The Midwifery Education Programme in Ontario is the only school in Canada. Options for aspiring midwives include training though correspondence or in the U.S., becoming an apprentice or a Doula, a trained professional who offers a woman support throughout her pregnancy. O'Brien warns that anyone considering entering an out-of-province midwifery program should consult the provincial registration guidelines. Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia are the only provinces to legalize midwifery.

There's no doubt that it is difficult to become a midwife in Alberta (there are currently only 22 practicing midwives in the province). However, their shortage in number and the cost of their services is not enough to deter some women from seeking midwives. Sonya Duffee is one of these women. She has had midwives assist in the delivery of both her daughters. "For me I felt more secure and comfortable in my own home," she says.

Mon, Dad and Midwife welcome Elise

For Duffee and husband Michael Seguin, the decision to have a midwife was extremely personal. "Michael was just as much a part of the experience as I was," Duffee says. "It was a very empowering experience." Duffee, who knew nothing of midwifery before the birth of her daughters Arie, three and Elise, 17 months, is now a practicing Doula. Duffee says that while midwifery was right for her, expecting women and their partners should research and assess all their birth options. "You have to know what kind of options are out there to make an informed decision."

As for the future of midwifery, both Bobbie Fraser and Beverley O'Brien are unsure whether the provincial government will provide funding for midwives anytime soon. However, Fraser is determined that midwifery is here to stay. "It's a woman's right to choose her care-giver. And midwifery will carry on regardless because it's a very traditional thing. Every culture that you look at, midwifery is always there in some form or another. So there is no way that midwifery is every going to go away."

If you would like more information about midwifery or midwifery programs in Canada and the U.S. contact the following sites:Birth Partnership