B.C. midwives celebrate International Day of the Midwife May 5, 2010

VANCOUVER, May 3 /CNW/ - A healthy maternity care system is vital to a healthy society, said the Midwives Association of British Columbia (MABC), as it prepares to celebrate the International Day of the Midwife on May 5, 2010. The MABC joins midwives around the world in celebrating the role midwifery care plays in improving maternal and infant health outcomes around the globe.

In British Columbia mothers and babies have access to over 150 midwives across the province who attend more than 10% of the births in BC each year. On International Day of the Midwife, the MABC invites women to consider midwifery care for their pregnancy, birth and postpartum care. Registered Midwives have been caring for women and babies in cities and towns across BC for over a decade and the numbers continue to grow. BC midwives are regulated, services are free for those with a BC CareCard and no referral is required.

"International Day of the Midwife is a day to reflect on how we can work to ensure that women across the globe have access to the high standard of maternity care that we do here in Canada. We believe that the world needs midwives and normal birth, now more than ever." said Shannon Norberg, President of the Midwives Association of B.C. "We are proud of the outreach work our midwives are doing, whether in earthquake-devastated Haiti (see BC Midwife in Haiti, http://candacegoestohaiti.blogspot.com/) or through the 5th Annual Normal Labour and Birth Conference (see Normal Birth Conference, http://www.midwifery.ubc.ca/midwifery/normalbirth/conf.htm) here at home. Midwives provide a high level of care and work with women to feel supported, knowledgeable, healthy and ready for birth and new parenthood." The MABC would like to take this day to encourage everyone to celebrate the midwives in their lives - see bcmidwives.com to find a midwife near you.

About The Midwives Association of BC

The Midwives Association of British Columbia (MABC) is the professional body representing midwives in the province of British Columbia. There are over 150 midwives registered in BC attending over 10% of the births in BC each year. BC Midwives have been regulated by the government and publicly funded since 1998. Their services are covered for those with a BC CareCard and no referral is necessary.

For further information: Ms. Ganga Jolicoeur, Executive Director MABC, [phone]