Rural Midwifery is Catching!
By Dr. Lolly de Jonge
Renowned sociologist Barbara Katz Rothman once said, “Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers – strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.”
Taber, Alberta registered midwife, Stacy Peleskey, couldn’t agree more. “Since starting to practice as a maternity care professional in Southern Alberta in 2008,” says Stacy, “I’ve had the privilege of supporting many pregnant people in transforming into strong mothers. I’m so pleased that our government is committed to growing rural midwifery in Alberta.”
Ashley Johnson, a health care professional who lives in the village of Barnwell, Alberta, echoes Stacy’s sentiment. She recently had midwifery care for her fourth pregnancy.“ Experiencing midwifery care for the first time was wonderful,” exclaims Ashley. “In addition to Stacy’s medical expertise, she was helpful in managing the many emotions I was feeling as I approached delivery. I went into labour a lot calmer and at peace and Stacy listened to and accommodated all of my personal preferences.”
Midwife Stacy Peleskey, mother Ashley Johnson and baby Jaycee
Stacy’s journey to become a rural midwife started as a registered nurse in Taber and Lethbridge and spent time as a public health nurse. She also served as the Rural Clinical Nurse Educator in the south zone of Alberta Health Services. Over time, her passion for supporting birthing families blossomed and she started to explore other ways to further her calling.
Shortly after, Eve Verdon and Terri Demers of Cardston Midwives (now Lethbridge Community Midwives) invited Stacy to attend the rural home birth of one of their clients. According to Stacy, she “fell in love” and came to deeply appreciate the midwifery philosophy and model of care.
The Canadian Midwifery Model of Care is highly regarded globally and is comprised of seven core principles: professional autonomy, partnership, continuity of care provider, informed choice, choice of birthplace, evidence-based practice and collaborative care.
Wanting to deliver this model of care, Stacy pursued midwifery education at Frontier Nursing University in Kentucky, which is recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education. The program has a strong focus on training to provide care in rural and underserved communities. Returning to rural Alberta in 2018, Stacy was invited to join Cherry Maclagan who had opened a practice, Prairie Rose Midwifery, in Brooks.
Shortly after, having provided maternity care to Southern Alberta families for decades, Cherry started to wind up her practice and encouraged Stacy to take over what she had established. Stacy moved the practice to Taber and named it Cherry Blossom Midwives in honour of her mentor. Stacy really wanted to be rooted in the community where she has lived.
Being close to home isn’t just great for Stacy. . . it’s good for families as well. Research in Canada and other countries shows that having to travel great distances in rural settings to deliver a baby increases the risk of adverse outcomes. There are other potential challenges during seasons when there is inclement weather not to mention financial burden, unnecessary intervention, stress and even roadside delivery.
Ashley shares how midwifery care eased those challenges, “I loved how a few hours after delivery I was able to return home. As part of our extended family business, Johnson Fresh Farms, we had an important potato shipment the next morning. I always knew that Stacy was only a call away and would be there in a few minutes if I needed her.”
Birthing families in the region now have another option with Stacy recently being granted hospital privileges at the Taber Health Centre. “I’m so pleased to be a part of the team of doctors and nurses who I’ve been colleagues with for years.” Prior to being granted privileges, Stacy’s Taber clients would have to travel as far as Lethbridge, Medicine Hat or Brooks to have her attend them in the hospital . . . while in labour!
Ashley is thrilled about this development, “While I had an amazing birth experience with my daughter Jaycee at the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge, I’m so happy that I’ll be able to birth my next baby closer to home and the rest of my family.”
As Barbara Katz Rothman said, birth is about being a part of people’s lives as they trust themselves and know their inner strength. Being a rural registered midwife has allowed Stacy to be a part of these transformations. “Midwives have an important role to play in rural health care. I love catching babies,” she says. “And I have immense gratitude to every family whose birth experience I’ve had the honour to attend.”
Listen to the “Rural Midwifery is Catching!” podcast episode:
Lolly de Jonge, PhD is the Chief Executive Officer of the Alberta Association of Midwives and the host of the podcast series Alberta Midwives: Our Stories.
Cherry Blossom Midwives can be found on Facebook and Instragram.
To register for care, visit https://clientcare.alberta-midwives.ca/waitpool/register.
