Saskatoon residents were hoping to send a message to elected officials about the need for midwives in Saskatchewan on Saturday.
Around 55 people gathered for the Mother’s March for Midwives to speak out against the model of care they want for their births. Saskatchewan has 15 midwives – the lowest number of any province in Canada. Marchers say some women who want a midwife are denied the service because there aren’t enough in the province.
“Fifty to 60 per cent of my clients want to hire a midwife and have that midwifery care and just can’t get it,” said Sarah Cochran, a labour and birth doula. “That’s the biggest concern – women are wanting this option and there aren’t enough midwives to be able to do that.”
March organizers say more midwives could help the province save money, since a home birth attended by a midwife is $2,000 cheaper than a hospital birth.
The group also said they want to be able to choose their own midwives, rather than having them assigned by the health region.
