Expectant families in Pincher Creek and area receiving care from a registered midwife now have more options of where they can deliver, at home or in hospital.
Clinical privileges have been granted to four registered midwives who operate the Cardston Midwives practice. This opens the door to providing care to their patients at the Pincher Creek Health Centre, beginning this month.
Alberta Health Services has been working to increase the number of midwives working in the AHS South Zone and across the province. There are currently 14 registered midwives practising in the South Zone, as part of the AHS midwifery staff; the others are based out of Brooks, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Taber.
Registered midwives, physicians and care teams work together at sites to ensure families feel safe and supported throughout their delivery.
“Staff and physicians have been working collaboratively in preparation to support midwives and their clients at the health centre,” says Dr. Aaron Low, South Zone medical director. “No matter where you receive care in the South Zone, our teams’ focus is on ensuring families feel safe and supported before, during and after labour.”
Registered midwives provide primary care to Albertans and their babies during pregnancy, antepartum, labour, birth and postpartum period up to six weeks.
Currently, more than 165 registered midwives provide services through staff appointments with AHS across the province. About 6,300 Albertan families accessed care from registered midwives over the past year, including approximately 440 people in the South Zone.
