Grande Prairie - midwife help!!

[minsca]

Hey, I just learned today that Alberta covers midwives. I was so excited, rushed home to search for a midwife in Grande Prairie, and found none! I am so disappointed.
We are moving to Grande Prairie in 4 weeks, and I really would like a home birth this time around.
So I was wondering if anyone knew of a midwife who does Grande Prairie, or travels to Grande Prairie?

[mandib50]

unfortunately i don't think there are any midwives who will travel anymore out of the city you can look here http://www.alberta-midwives.com/directory.php?type=area and call around though, there may be someone.

[minsca]

Thank you for replying. I've tried that route yesterday, and nobody is. Maybe somebody will move up north in the next few months.

[mandib50]

there are 6 new midwives going through the bridging program this spring, so with any luck, someone will move. it is tough for women wanting midwives in this province unless you live in edmonton or calgary - every woman should have access to a midwife.

[minsca]

Originally Posted by mandib50

there are 6 new midwives going through the bridging program this spring, so with any luck, someone will move. it is tough for women wanting midwives in this province unless you live in edmonton or calgary - every woman should have access to a midwife.

: that someone moves! I really really hope so!!

[brandybehr]

There are only 4 homebirth midwives currently in Edmonton, none will travel to Grande Prairie. When I last spoke with them (1 month ago), none were willing to travel as far as Red Deer.

Of the bridging program students, none are from Alberta nor expected to be moving to Alberta. Of course, this could change, but that is what was the story a month ago.

I know there is a student within the AAM (Alberta Association of Midwives) that is talking of moving to GP when she is done, but it wouldn't be this year.

The other thing, almost all RMs in Alberta are fully booked within a few weeks of mom finding out she is expecting. It was this way before funding, funding just is making it that much harder to find someone.

One day there will be a RM in GP, it is just likely to be a while yet.

[eirual]

Maybe you need to linger in the UC forum?

[mandib50]

Originally Posted by brandybehr

Of the bridging program students, none are from Alberta nor expected to be moving to Alberta. Of course, this could change, but that is what was the story a month ago.

and i was so hopeful before i heard this news
with no bridging program for another couple of years, unless midwives move here from other provinces, things might not change for a while.

[Devaskyla]

One of the (many) reasons I wound up at the Grande Prairie hospital for ds1 was the lack of midwives outside of the cities. Hopegully it'll change soon, but probably not soon enough.

I wonder if there's a midwife in BC nearish to GP who'd be willing to travel?

[brandybehr]

Anything is possible, but I wouldn't hold my breath at getting a midwife out of BC.

First thing, she wouldn't be covered by healthcare. Only Alberta Registered Midwives are covered. Second, she isn't registered in Alberta then she would be practicing midwifery illegally. And finally, I believe that the closest midwife within BC borders is in Prince George.

I wish you luck, I hate to sound discouraging, I prefer to call it realistic.

The other thing, which may not matter to you, if you are pregnant before April 1, 2009 then the midwifery care is not 100% covered by AHC (Alberta Health Care). Speak to your midwife and she will tell you how it all works.

[SHIVIS]

Hi There,

I live in Fort. st. John and found there is not midwifes here either...Did you find a midwife in Grande Prairie?

Thanks,