Improving access

A new partnership between two regional groups aims to improve prenatal and post-partum health care for women

All women deserve health care, especially when pregnant, but many women are falling through the cracks, says a local health official.

A new partnership being proposed between the NorWest Community Health Centre and Maternity care Midwives – Thunder Bay would improve access to the proper prenatal and post-partum health care for women.

While the program is still awaiting approval from the provincial government, NorWest Community Health Centre’s clinical director Juanita Lawson said they’re supporting the program because they know there is a need for women who are struggling with poverty and other issues like smoking or substance abuse.

These women are often afraid to seek out medical help for fear of being judged or they just don’t know where to go for help.

Presently, when a pregnant woman comes to the centre, Lawson said they accept them as a patient and then refer them to the services they require to address their needs.

“We can refer people to midwives and physicians and gynecologists if they need specialized care, but they are not getting there and not following up with those appointments,” Lawson said.

With the Maternity Care Midwives partnership, the midwife would go to wherever the patient was.

“We’re hoping this sort of partnership will help reach out to those women and really do so in a way that understands where they are coming from and develop a relationship with them,” said Lawson.

After the child is born, the midwife would then refer the mother back to the NorWest CHC where they can provide support programs like early childhood education.

Right now Lawson said regional hospitals are seeing women in labour who have had no prenatal care and for women living high-risk lifestyles, there are health risks for the baby like low birth weight and other complications.

The NWCHC also has sites in Armstrong and Longlac. They have mobile units that travel to communities like Upsala, Kaministiquia and Nolalu.

Lawson said they’ve seen women in all of these communities who otherwise wouldn’t get the help because of geography, transportation issues or just don’t want anyone to know they are pregnant.

This partnership is about getting women the health care they deserve, she added.

“It’s trying to empower these women to feel it’s safe to reach out and have the services that are available for them,” she said.