The Manitoba government is expanding access to prenatal and family health care with the launch of midwifery services in the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority (IERHA).
Premier Wab Kinew and Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara were in Selkirk this week to announce the new program, which will operate out of the Interlake-Eastern Health Services building at 100 Easton Dr.
“Our government is committed to making sure every Manitoban can access the health care they need, closer to home,” Kinew said. “We are fixing our health-care system by staffing up and expanding services like this midwifery program to support pregnant people and new families provincewide. This launch in the IERHA is a great step forward in delivering better care and better support for families in rural and northern Manitoba.”
The program will begin with two full-time midwives who will provide a full spectrum of care, including prenatal visits, labour and birth support, newborn care, postpartum follow-up and reproductive sexual health services. The program is fully integrated with the region’s existing primary care and obstetrical teams.
“Midwives offer personalized support, expertise and care that will greatly benefit pregnant people and new parents in IERHA,” Asagwara said. “By integrating midwifery into primary and obstetrical services, we are creating a more seamless and supportive experience for families throughout pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period.”
For the first time in 25 years, families in the Interlake and eastern regions will have access to midwifery services, noted Sarah Harpe, president of the Midwives Association of Manitoba.
“This announcement is momentous,” Harpe said. “We are hopeful for a future where Manitoba families can receive equitable access to excellent sexual, reproductive and newborn midwifery services close to home.”
The new service is designed to support those who face barriers to prenatal care, said Beckie Wood, the IERHA’s midwifery access and co-ordination lead.
“Midwifery services work with each pregnant person and their family to identify their unique physical, social and emotional needs, and to support them in having their needs met,” Wood said.
Pregnant women in the IERHA can access prenatal intake by speaking with their family doctor or nurse practitioner. Self-referrals are also accepted by calling +1-204-482-2150 or emailing prenatalintake@ierha.ca. The IERHA will connect all callers or referrals to either a midwife or family doctor for prenatal care.
