We hear from people on a regular basis that they would love to be a midwife but barriers to accessing midwifery education are holding them back. If a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador wants to become a midwife they have to leave the province to go to one of five Midwifery Education Programs offered in English (or the Francophone Program) for a minimum of 4 years. Tuition for these programs can range up to $8000 annually with additional costs such as lodging, transportation, registration fees and so on that could double or nearly triple out of pocket costs. On top of these barriers, students are away from their loved ones and support systems for extended periods with no guarantee of being able to return home upon graduation.
AMNL is calling on the government to work towards the establishment of a Midwifery Education Program in our province to break down barriers to accessing education and to ensure sustainable midwifery services across the province. The seeds are ready to be planted - let's start growing our own!
Are you someone who wishes they could become a midwife or wants to see a program in Newfoundland and Labrador? Send the letter below to candidates in your riding during this election campaign to engage with them on their plan for expansion of midwifery services including an education program.
"Dear Candidate,Â
I am writing to you as a concerned constituent and a strong advocate for midwifery care in Newfoundland and Labrador. With the upcoming provincial election, I believe this is an opportune time to address a crucial issue that can significantly enhance the healthcare system in our province— the creation of a midwifery education program here in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Midwifery care is vital to improving perinatal and infant health outcomes, and research consistently shows that midwifery support leads to higher breastfeeding rates, lower rates of interventions, and increased satisfaction with care. Midwives provide continuous, evidence-based care throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, offering families a personalized, supportive, and informed choice-based experience. This approach fosters positive outcomes for both mother and baby.
In addition to these health benefits, midwives play a critical role in our healthcare system. As primary care providers, midwives support families across the childbearing era, from preconception through the early years of parenting. This continuity of care not only improves health outcomes but also helps reduce the burden on other healthcare providers, such as family physicians and obstetricians, redistributing the load for all aspects of care, including sexual and reproductive health.
Currently, however, Newfoundland and Labrador is without a midwifery education program, with students having to leave the province to pursue training in Ontario or further afield. This geographical barrier prevents many potential midwives from entering the profession and significantly limits the pool of trained professionals available to meet the growing demand for midwifery care.
It is important to note that a feasibility study for a midwifery education program in Atlantic Canada has already been undertaken and completed. To date, this study has not been released publicly. Its findings are critical to understanding how we can move forward with a local program, and I urge your support in calling for its immediate release. Transparency on this matter is essential to ensuring that informed decisions can be made and that progress is not delayed.
For our province to fully benefit from the expansion of midwifery services, we must invest in growing our own midwives. By establishing a locally accessible midwifery education program, we can address this gap in training, support the development of a skilled and sustainable workforce, and create new opportunities for those who wish to pursue a career in midwifery. This would help to ensure that midwifery services are available to all families, regardless of location, and would contribute to the overall sustainability of our healthcare system.
I would like to know your position on the creation of a midwifery education program here in Newfoundland and Labrador. Do you support the development of such a program, and if so, what steps would you take to make this a reality? With the promise of expanded midwifery services from the previous government, it is essential that we take the necessary steps to grow our own workforce to meet the needs of our families.
The Association of Midwives of Newfoundland and Labrador (AMNL) has been advocating for this important development, and I strongly believe that providing local access to midwifery education will create a more sustainable and accessible healthcare system for families across the province.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on how we can support the growth of midwifery care in Newfoundland and Labrador, including the release of the feasibility study and the establishment of an education program to meet the needs of our province."