Midwifery facts in Nunavut

“The world needs midwives,” was the slogan chosen by the International Confederation of Midwives, which celebrated the International Day of the Midwife last Friday, May 5.

To celebrate the day, the Midwives Association of Nunavut published some facts about midwives:

* Traditional midwives practiced their skills in Nunavut until the mid-seventies.
* Inuit men also assisted with the birthing. Elders tell us that it was good to have the strong back of a man to support the labouring mother’s back.
* Women in Nunavut have and are lobbying to bring birthing back to their home communities.
* Midwives provide care to pregnant women and their family from the beginning of pregnancy to six weeks after the birth of the baby.
* Nunavut Arctic College will offer a Maternity Care Worker Course in Rankin Inlet in September. This course is the first step to becoming a midwife.

The Midwives Association of Nunavut has representatives from across the territory, including: the group’s founder, Regilee Oootoova of Pond Inlet; current president Natsiq Kango of Iqaluit; Lucie Uppik of Sanikiluaq; Potogok Adamee of Coral Harbour; Nowyah Williams of Rankin Inlet; Annie Napayok of Whale Cove; Anaoyok Alookee of Taloyoak; Martha Pooyatak of Gjoa Haven; Kerstin Gafvels, a midwife trainer in Edmonton and Rankin Inlet; and Joyce England, a midwife trainer in Charlottetown and Rankin Inlet.