The CAM/ASFC National Committee on Birth Centres was struck to advocate for normal childbirth, choice of birthplace, the Canadian midwifery model of care and primary maternity care close to home.
The ten midwives and one student midwife on this committee will support CAM/ACSF member associations (provincial, territorial associations and the National Aboriginal Council of Midwives) in resource sharing and knowledge translation around best practices for the development and management of birth centres. The committee will also advocate for birth centres and facilitate research on birth centres.
Its responsibilities include:
- Developing a position statement on birth centres.
- Advocating for funded, midwifery led, free standing birth centres.
- Offering a forum for resource sharing and knowledge translation around best practices in birth centre planning and management.
- Proposing recommendations to the Board regarding current and emerging issues.
- Seeking input from midwifery clients or potential clients.
The newly formed Working Group on Midwives as Primary Care Providers in Hospital Settings will develop a position statement as part of a three-part series of position statements on Place of Birth. This is in keeping with CAM’s Strategic goal to advocate for normal childbirth, choice of birthplace, the Canadian Midwifery model and primary maternity care close to home.
Finally, the Working Group to Develop a Position Statement on Midwives as Abortion Providers will also be beginning work this fall. The statement will advocate for increased access to abortion services across Canada through a human rights lens and the expansion of midwives’ scope to include the provision of abortion care. Although the statement will be grounded in the Canadian context and address the appropriateness of the on-call availability and continuity of care model of Canadian midwifery, it could also be referenced internationally as best practice.
Thanks to everyone who applied to work on these three new bodies. Member involvement in these initiatives is key to advancing CAM’s strategic objectives.
