Women's Options in Maternity Care & Birth
Informed choice for every woman's birth!
News, Facts & Links
Check here for news, facts and links regarding pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and other aspects of parenting. If you are a student or aspiring midwife/doula, go to our new page, "Links for Professionals," for an extensive list of resources including schools offering midwifery education programs.
News
Great news for Edmonton-area expectant parents! Local doctor hatches rebirth of home delivery
Doula Training coming to Medicine Hat! Click here for info!!
Ricki Lake on Larry King Live! - January 27, 2008
New Film - The Business of Being Born (from Ricki Lake)
Fast Facts
- In 2001–2002, epidural anaesthesia was used in nearly half (45.4%) of all vaginal births in Canada. In the U.S., a national survey of women's childbearing experiences found that they are used in about 59% of vaginal deliveries, whereas in England the rate is much lower, at 12% for unassisted vaginal births. Epidural use also varies widely across Canada, ranging from a low of 4% in the Northwest Territories to a high of over 60% in Quebec. Among health regions with a population of 75,000 or more, the range in rates was even greater: from 4% to 75%.
- The rate of medically induced births has risen substantially in the last 10 years, from about one in eight (12.9%) to one in five (19.7%) births in 2000–2001. Experts suggest that some of the factors that may have affected this rate include a greater use of obstetrical interventions, more post-term pregnancies and increasing rates of elective inductions.
- In the past decade, episiotomy rates in Canada have decreased from about half of vaginal births (49.1% in 1991–1992) to less than a quarter of such births (23.8% in 2000–2001).
- In 2001–2002, one in six (16.5%) babies were born to mothers having a caesarean section for the first time (primary caesarean section), up from one in seven (13.8%) in 1998–1999. Among large health regions, primary c-section rates varied more than three-fold—from 7.6% to 25.5%. Canada's primary c-section rate is similar to that in England and Wales (16.7%), Northern Ireland (17%) and the U.S. (16.9%).
- In 2000–2001, forceps and/or vacuum extraction was used in 16% of vaginal deliveries. This assisted delivery rate has remained relatively stable over the last decade, but the method of choice has changed. Forceps-assisted deliveries are on the decline. They accounted for 11% of vaginal deliveries in the early 1990s, but only 6% in 2000–2001. Vacuum extraction rates have risen over the same period, from 7% to 11% of vaginal births. Similar trends have been noted in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand and England.
- Regionally, rates of assisted delivery (using either forceps or vacuum extraction) varied more than eleven-fold—from 2.5% to 28.2% of vaginal deliveries.
- An increasing number of expecting mothers (3% nationwide in 2000–2001) reported receiving prenatal care from midwives. The number of jurisdictions regulating and funding midwives in Canada is increasing—and so is the number of trained midwives. Their participation in births is also rising. Ontario, for example, saw nearly a seven-fold increase between 1994–1995 and 2000–2001 in hospital births attended by midwives.
Statistics compiled by the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
- 3 out of 4 women who gave birth in 2001/02 underwent some kind of medical procedure.
- 22.5 % of hospital births were cesarean sections
- 44% of induced women end up with a cesarean section (Statistics compiled by BC Women's Health Centre)
- Having a doula may reduce the odds of C-section and epidural use by as much as 50%
From "Is Normal Birth at Risk?" Today's Parent Pregnancy & Birth - Spring 2005
Important Phone Numbers
Pregnancy/Childbirth
Back In Tune Massage Therapy - Melissa Skow, RMT, CIMI
- Offers therapeutic, relaxation, hot stone, prenatal/postnatal and infant massage
3216 - 13th Avenue S.E.
(403) 581-9865 or (403) 504-0331 - Sandalz Spa
Best Babies - a free & confidential program that offers support and promotes healthy choices for you and your baby.
Medicine Hat - (403) 526-7473
Brooks - (403) 501-3330 Public Health Nursing or (403) 501-3862 Family Outreach Worker
Bow Island - (403) 545-2296 Public Health Nursing or (403) 545-6911 Family Outreach Worker
Oyen - (403) 664-3651
From Womb to Cradle Doula Services
Michelle Maisonville (403) 488-7367 or (403) 528-7182 Cell/Emergency
Other doulas in practice available upon request. Phone Michelle for more information.
Motherisk 1(877) 327-4636 - Canada's expert on the safety of medications, infections, chemicals, personal products and everyday exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Special Deliveries Doula Services - Loree Siermachesky, CD (DONA) (403) 504-1849
Support Centre (Crisis Pregnancy)
General - (403) 504-8560
24-Hour Crisis Line - (403) 528-5609
YMCA Early Intervention Program for Teenage Mothers - (403) 527-9466
Breastfeeding
Breast Friends 4 Moms - Peer support for breastfeeding mothers
Call Janice (403) 528-5609
Community Health Services Breastfeeding Drop-In Clinic - Every Wednesday afternoon 1:00 - 3:30 PM
Medicine Hat - Terry Lawson, LC (403) 502-8200
Brooks - (403) 501-3300
Monthly meetings the 2nd Thursday of every month at 10:00 AM at the Volunteer Centre, 856 Allowance Ave S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 7S6. Phone or email a La Leche League leader for more information.
- Colleen 306-662-4979 colleen.kennedy@sasktel.net
- Irene 403-526-4840
- Tina 250-724-7325
Motherisk 1(877) 327-4636 - Canada's expert on the safety of medications, infections, chemicals, personal products and everyday exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Parenting
Parent Help Line - 1 (888) 603-9100
McMan ParentLINK Centre - Playgroups, mom's groups, workshops and lending library. All services provided are free
2425 Southview Drive SE
(403) 504-0833
Bridges - Family support, information and service coordination.
477-3 Street SE
(403) 526-7473
Links
Below you'll find helpful links to other websites with information regarding pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and parenting. They are separated in to related categories for ease in navigation.
Breastfeeding Links
Activism
Breastfeeding Support/Information
Breastfeeding Online - Featuring Dr. Jack Newman's articles
Monthly meetings the 2nd Thursday of every month at 10:00 AM at the Volunteer Centre, 856 Allowance Ave S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 7S6. Phone or email a La Leche League leader for more information.
- Colleen 306-662-4979 colleen.kennedy@sasktel.net
- Irene 403-526-4840
- Tina 250-724-7325
- Canadian Breastfeeding Foundation
- Dr. Jack Newman's Pages
- International Lactation Consultants Association (ICLA)
- INFACT Canada - Fact Sheets
- Breastfeeding Committee for Canada
- Ask Dr. Sears
Motherisk 1(877) 327-4636 - Canada's expert on the safety of medications, infections, chemicals, personal products and everyday exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding Aids/Products
453 3rd St SE
Medicine Hat, AB
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9488842741
Childbirth Links
Activism
Birth Plans
- Birth Plans (from Gentlebirth.org) - information about birth plans, sample birth plans & links
- Interactive Birth Plan (from Childbirth.org) - online birth plan creator
- BirthPlan.com - online birth plan creator
- Pregnancy & Baby - online birth plan creator
Breech Birth
Cesarean Section
- International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve maternal-child health by preventing unnecessary cesareans through education, providing support for cesarean recovery, and promoting Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC).
Doulas
- Childbirth and Postpartum Professionals Association of Canada (CAPPA Canada)
- Doulas of North America
USA Only
-
Motherhood Naturally - "Education, Support & Empowerment for pregnancy, birth, and beyond"
Hypnobirthing©
Informed Choice
Midwifery
Midwifery Services
- Birth With Love Midwifery- Great Falls, MT (USA) midwife, Ollie Anne Hamilton, will attend births in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, Alberta!
Miscarriage
- H.E.A.R.T.S - Helping Empty Arms Recover Through Sharing
Postpartum Depression
Pregnancy Complications
Stillbirth
- H.E.A.R.T.S - Helping Empty Arms Recover Through Sharing
- International Stillbirth Alliance
- March of Dimes - Fact Sheet
- National Stillbirth Society
Traumatic Birth
VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)
Waterbirth
- Waterbirth International - The website of acclaimed RN and author, Barbara Harper.
Parenting Links
Attachment Parenting
Babywearing
Clothing (Organic, Sustainable and/or Fair Trade)
- Arbour Environmental Shop
- Baby Naturopathics
- Comondi
- EthicBaby Canada
- Ethical Directory
- Nosilla
- Zia & Tia
Diapering
Education
Environmental Concerns
Maternity/Baby Essentials
453 3rd St SE
Medicine Hat, AB
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9488842741
Miscellaneous
Nighttime Parenting
SIDS Awareness
- The Canadian Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths
- Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory
- First Candle
- American SIDS Institute
- H.E.A.R.T.S - Helping Empty Arms Recover Through Sharing
Support
PLEASE NOTE: All information expressed on the WOMB website and in our workshops, sessions, and/or consultations is to be used for informational purposes only. We are not providing medical advice as we are not licensed medical professionals. Therefore, we cannot be held liable for unforseen outcomes.