The B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives says it91裸聊视频檚 received multiple reports of tragic outcomes, including death, from British Columbians who chose to hire an unauthorized person to assist with their baby91裸聊视频檚 birth.
In the last year and a half, the regulatory college says it91裸聊视频檚 had 13 reports of incidents involving unregistered midwifery providers. In many cases, the college says, the baby or pregnant person was reportedly harmed and, in some, the baby died.
The college issued a public advisory on Monday (Nov. 6) to draw attention to those risks.
In B.C., people who want to practise as midwives have to complete a four-year undergraduate program and pass Canadian and provincial examinations. They then must register with the College of Nurses and Midwives.
Only those individuals are technically allowed to call themselves midwives or offer birthing services, but the college says it91裸聊视频檚 aware of people operating outside of its oversight. Those unauthorized individuals commonly advertise themselves as 91裸聊视频渕idwives,91裸聊视频� 91裸聊视频渂irth attendants,91裸聊视频� 91裸聊视频渂irth keepers91裸聊视频� or 91裸聊视频渢raditional midwifes,91裸聊视频� the college says.
91裸聊视频淭hese individuals do not have the same training91裸聊视频�, experience, and access to life-saving medications and equipment as midwives, nor integration with hospitals for emergency care if needed, resulting in significant risks to the health and safety of birthing persons and their babies.91裸聊视频�
If something does go wrong with an unauthorized provider, the college says there is also no path for recourse. Those individuals don91裸聊视频檛 operate under a regulatory college, so there is no one to file complaints to. They also don91裸聊视频檛 carry malpractice insurance, meaning people can91裸聊视频檛 recover damages from them if they take them to court.
The college says people who are allowed to operate outside of its framework are doulas. Unlike midwives, doulas can91裸聊视频檛 provide clinical care, such as checking cervical dilation or delivering a baby. Their job, rather, is to provide emotional and physical support during someone91裸聊视频檚 birthing experience. Doulas often work in tandem with midwives.
The college says pregnant people can easily check whether someone is an authorized midwife by searching for them on the regulator91裸聊视频檚 online registry. There are 387 authorized and practising midwives in B.C.
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