In celebration of the International Day of the Midwife, a group of Central Albertans passionate about the option for maternity care is hosting a rally at City Hall Park in Red Deer today.
 
Linnea Deutscher, a postpartum nurse and mother is organizing the event for a second year in a row, and says today is really about recognition and awareness.

“There are two midwifery groups in Central Alberta, one in Rocky Mountain House called Blessing Way and then the Prairie Midwives here in the Red Deer area and they are both booked solid, and they are very much loved. We would like to celebrate those midwives for all of their hard work and appreciation and while we are celebrating them we are creating awareness for midwifery”.

Deutscher says they'll also be highlighting the fact that there are just over 1300 women in Alberta on a waitlist for midwifery care, and the government needs to do more so more women can have access to a midwife.

“This is available to some Alberta women, but not all. Funding is happening, and it is happening slowly. We just want to encourage the government to keep up the good work with the funding so that every Alberta woman that chooses midwifery can have that option”.

Today's midwifery rally is from 12 to 1, the group will also participate in a live virtual dance happening all across Canada at 12:30 in support of midwives.