Midwives are important for native births

I really wanted to make sure I had support, and I knew that’s what the midwives provided.explanation of the 28 -year -old girl.

Si Ms. Barton, who is Wolastoqey from Saint Mary’s First Nation in Fredericton, employed two midwives, one was Mi’kmaw from Millbrook First Nation, and the other was not Aboriginal. Ms. said. Barton that they are both great, but entertaining to have an Aboriginal midwife.

They are able to connect you on another level, and guide you through every step of the job.added Ms. Barton.

Her first child was born in the hospital, the second at home. Midwives gave her a birthing pool, taught her various childbirth positions, and gave her breastfeeding advice. They are also available by phone at all times and in six weeks of postpartum care.

Ms Barton, who works as a nurse, said her experience was so positive that she wanted to learn midwifery skills on her own. I think every community should have access to midwifery carehe mentioned.

Help keep babies in their community

Ellen Blais, Director of Aboriginal Midwifery for the Association of Ontario Midwives, was originally from the Oneida Nation of the Thames, but she was not raised there. She lived in the Sixties Scoop, when Indigenous children were taken from their homes and placed in non -Indigenous foster or adoptive families, and sees Indigenous midwives as an important step in keeping babies in their community.

” Children were taken from the arms of our wives from residential schools [pour Autochtones] and I really feel that midwives can help in this area. “

She has spent nearly 25 years in the field of indigenous health, and although she has spent most of her career in the administrative field, she has helped serve 200 children as a midwife. On Wednesday, he will receive the first Layton Indigenous Leadership Award in Toronto, for her work in promoting the Aboriginal midwifery profession.

She sees indigenous midwives as ensuring that indigenous mothers receive appropriate prenatal care, and have access to their country’s childbirth ceremonies, helping to revitalize indigenous childbirth practices.

” They can eat their own food, use their own medications and benefit from the excellent clinical care provided by midwives. “

She recalled that there were 57 Aboriginal midwives in Ontario and there were about 150 across Canada, she estimated. Ms. hopes. Blais to increase this number.

We are in the community and we are reclaiming spaces so that mothers can have the births they wanthe concludes.

Based on a text by Oscar Baker III, from CBC Indigenous