The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has announced funding approval for a new midwifery practice here.
The practice will serve pregnant women in the growing town, and in surrounding communities, with midwives attending births at Groves Memorial Community Hospital in Fergus or offering home birth services.
Midwifery is a popular choice for expectant families in Ontario, and officials say the demand consistently exceeds the supply. Some area midwifery practices have waiting lists of clients unable to access midwifery care.
Officials say Groves hospital has been a strong supporter of midwifery care, and there is a history of excellent relationships among midwives, obstetricians, family doctors and nurses.
The new practice opened in January 2013, and several midwives will join the practice during the first year. They will focus on accessibility by offering weekday evening and Saturday clinic appointments for clients who can’t attend the clinic during regular weekday hours, as well as home prenatal care for clients with transportation issues.
Midwives provide care for women throughout pregnancy, birth and six weeks postpartum, and services are free for all Ontario residents. Midwives work in independent practice groups, and consult with physicians and specialists as needed. Last year, Ontario’s 600 midwives attended more than 16, 000 births.
Women interested can call the clinic at 519-928-2323 or visit grandvalleymidwives.ca.
