The debate over Midwifery in PEI

It really annoys me when people make “factual” statements based on their own opinions or assumptions which have been formulated from their limited knowledge or experience of the subject. A current example is PEI Health Minister Chester Gillan’s assertion that PEI does not need legislation to regulate midwifery, due in part to the fact there is no demand for such services here in PEI. (See this CBC article). The problem with statements like this is that a large portion of the population believes it – after all, this is a pillar of society addressing an issue that he has presumably researched – his statements must be based on documented evidence – why would we question it? How is it that politicians continue to make decisions – important decisions! – based on their own opinions rather than well-informed and comprehensive research? How did he arrive at the assumption that there is no demand? By discussing it with his politician buddies? Expand your survey circle a little wider there, Gillan. You could start by asking anyone in BORN (Birth Options Research Network), the group advocating for midwifery regulation in PEI, for their perspective. My wife is a member of BORN, and she alone has heard dozens of Island women express their desire in having access to midwifery and other birth options. But don’t take my word for it, Gillan – why not ask Island women directly? You might be surprised by what you hear. To state that there is no demand for midwifery here when there is no service here, is like saying, pre-Tim Hortons era, “Islanders have no interest in a drive-thru coffee shop.” If you build it, they will come!

Mr. Gillan also states: “There is not a pending need at the moment to offer this service along with normal services that we offer for birthing. [I]t would be adding another service to one that is already provided.” If Gillan stopped to think about this for a minute, he would realize that this is very short-sighted thinking. In fact, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada recognizes the impending shortage of maternity care providers. Retiring obstetricians are not being replaced, as fewer doctors are choosing obstetrics as a specialty. Concurrently, fewer family physicians are offering maternity services. In their National Birthing Strategy for Canada, the SOGC warns, “If there is no strategy to address the shortages of maternity care providers, it will be impossible for Canada to have sustainable family-centred maternity and newborn care.” The SOGC recognizes the importance of midwifery in helping to deal with this crisis. By being proactive now (and joining the majority of other Canadian provinces in legislating midwifery), Mr. Gillan would ensure that there will be no future shortage of adequate maternity care on PEI, while also providing women with a wider variety of choices in birthing their children.

For more on the topic, see this post by Peter Rukavina.