Canadian Midwives Challenge US Claims that Home Birth is Not Safe

EDMONTON, Oct 4 /CNW/ - The latest research in birth and maternal care will be presented next week at the Canadian Association of Midwives' 10^th Annual General Meeting, which focuses primarily on place of birth. The conference takes place October 6, 7 and 8 in Edmonton, Alberta.

Association of Ontario Midwives President Katrina Kilroy, RM, will be giving a presentation often used at hospital rounds to educate health professionals on the facts and biases of home birth. Contrary to a recent American meta-analysis that found home birth was associated with a higher risk of neonatal death, several large, well-designed Canadian studies have found home birth with a midwife in a regulated system to be at least as safe as hospital birth for women with low-risk pregnancies.

The Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM) will also announce that Ontario midwife Anne Wilson will be taking over as president of CAM in January 2011. With more than 10 years' experience practicing as a midwife in the Burlington area and a longtime leader within the Association of Ontario Midwives, Anne is well suited to represent midwives across the country.

About Midwifery in Ontario

There are more than 500 registered midwives in Ontario, serving communities in 72 clinics across the province. Midwives have privileges at most Ontario hospitals. Since midwifery became a regulated health profession in 1994, more than 100,000 babies have been born under midwifery care, including more than 23,000 births at home.

A midwife is a registered health care professional who provides primary care to women with low-risk pregnancies. Midwives provide care throughout pregnancy, labour and birth and provide care to both mother and baby during the first six weeks following the birth. The Association of Ontario Midwives is the professional organization representing midwives and the profession of midwifery in Ontario.

For further information:

Joanna Zuk
Senior Communications Officer
Association of Ontario Midwives
Tel: [phone] x2261
Cell: 416-704-7452
[email protected]
www.aom.on.ca