Midwives to run new birthing centre in Ottawa

A new birthing centre to be run by midwives is set to open this summer in Ottawa. Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Deb Matthews,announced plansfor the new centre this afternoon at the Midwifery Group of Ottawa on Carling Avenue.

This is the second centre announced for Ontariothe other in Toronto was announced last month and it is expected to open this summer as well.

The centresoffer an alternative for parents who want to give birth outside of hospitals.The one slated for thecapitalwill be open for all clients of an Ottawa midwife from any ofthe fivelocal midwifery groupsthatapplied for one of the two birthing centres.

"This is a historical moment for midwifery in Ontario," said Genevieve Gagnon of East Ottawa Midwives."We're very excited for the opportunity to offer high quality maternity care to women and their families in the community."

Midwives assist women considered to have low-risk pregnancies with labour, birth and early post-natal care.

Midwives would deliverbetween 450 and 500babies a year at the centre.

The ministry of health said about 15 per cent of Ontario babiesapproximately 22,000 of 142,000 are delivered by the 650 registered midwives across the province.

According to research,midwife-assisted, out-of-hospital births at home or in a birth centre are as safe as a hospital birth for healthy women.