Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

ICS Travel Awards In 2000, midwifery was regulated in the Canadian province of Manitoba. Since the inception of the midwifery program, little research has been done to analyze the utilization of regulated midwifery services. Currently, many women are denied access to midwifery care due to the shortage of midwives in Manitoba. A lack of successful educational programs has contributed to the shortage of midwives. The purpose of this study is (1) To describe the utilization of midwifery health care services in Manitoba from 2000/2001 to 2009/2010 and; (2) To explore factors influencing the utilization of regulated midwifery services in Manitoba. This research will provide valuable information to policy makers regarding what barriers have impacted the utilization of midwifery services in Manitoba. In spite of scientific evidence that supports the midwifery model of care, there remains an inherent struggle to justify and sustain the profession globally. The findings will have implications for maternal/child health professionals to work at improving collaborative efforts to facilitate access to midwifery services for women.