​​International Day of the Midwife, May 5, is a time to celebrate the contributions of midwives to improving maternal and newborn health. The wellness of mothers and babies is foundational in creating healthy futures for the next generation.​

As health and wellness partners to First Nations people in British Columbia (BC), the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) prioritizes our work to ensure First Nations women and families receive culturally safe and high-quality care that supports them physically and emotionally – before, during, and after birth.

This is especially relevant for First Nations Lifegivers living in rural and remote communities, who face numerous barriers in accessing health care – barriers that cause financial and emotional strain for families.

Many First Nations Lifegivers, such as Janelle Tom (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw | Syilx), have talked about the importance of having a doula or midwife from their own community, one who understands their traditions and ceremony.

“I was fortunate to have a First Nations doula with me for my first labour and delivery journey," says Janelle. “It was scary entering a hospital setting because of the history and ongoing instances of Indigenous-specific racism. It was extremely important to me to have a First Nations doula I trusted. I immediately felt safer to have her in the room with me and my partner. She was taking notes and was familiar with the medical terms and process of labour. We need more First Nations doulas to support First Nations families during the sacred time of birthing. They not only provide comfort items or emotional support, but they're an extra set of eyes in the room to witness everything, which contributed to safety during my delivery."

Pictured: Janelle Tom

After many conversations and meetings with First Nations Lifegivers in BC about their concerns and experiences, the FNHA's Office of the Chief Medical Officer created and released a report that highlights their voices and calls to bring pre- and post-natal care closer to home. In Answering the Call, we join our voices with theirs to call on health system partners to commit to making measurable improvements that enable equitable, culturally safe, and trauma-informed birthing experiences for all First Nations Lifegivers in BC, including hiring more Indigenous health care professionals and providing in-community doula training.

We also hosted provincial leaders in a Forum on First Nations Birthing Sovereignty to obtain commitments specific to their unique roles and workplaces in response to the report's Calls to Action. You can read about that forum here. When enacted, these collaborative movements forward are intended to lead to stigma- and racism-free, culturally safe care.

Other work to support expectant mothers, new parents, guardians, or caregivers of newborn babies in rural and remote First Nations communities in BC includes providing a 24/7 Maternity and Babies Advice Line (MaBAL) in partnership with the Rural Coordination Centre of BC.

International Day of the Midwife's focus on maternal and child health aligns with First Nations' beliefs regarding the critical importance of healthy beginnings for our precious next generation.

You can read more about what the FNHA is doing for maternal, child, and family health here.