The Yukon Midwifery Program will resume accepting applications for full-service midwifery care on Feb.12.

The program team has grown and now includes second birth attendants in addition to three registered midwives.

A second birth attendant is a regulated health professional, often a registered nurse, who works within their own scope of practice to support out-of-hospital births alongside a registered midwife.

“Publicly funded and fully integrated, the Yukon Midwifery Program provides Yukoners with an additional option for safe, accessible and high-quality maternity care,” the Yukon government said Monday.

Midwives are registered health care professionals who specialize in providing maternity care for pregnant people and their babies.

Full-service midwifery care includes comprehensive care through pregnancy, labour and birth and up to eight weeks post-partum.

Yukoners in their first 20 weeks of pregnancy with due dates in July 2024 or later are eligible to apply to receive midwifery care.

Midwives provide care in various settings depending on individual needs, including at the Yukon Midwifery Program at 9010 Quartz Road, Whitehorse General Hospital, virtually and in clients’ homes.

“Offering free, integrated and safe midwifery services is important in supporting Yukoners through pregnancy, birth and early parenthood,” said Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee.

In 2023, the program experienced a period of limited service due to staffing shortages, and has collaborated with Solstice Maternity to provide prenatal care over the past year.

“Thank you to everyone at Solstice Maternity for continuing to support clients while the Yukon Midwifery Program worked to respond to staffing challenges,” said McPhee.

“Our government is proud to continue to welcome Yukon families into this progressive model of care and we look forward to resuming work with our health system partners to expand options for midwifery care as we advance on this exciting path.”

The program is open to all Yukoners, but in-person care and birthing services are only available in Whitehorse. Virtual care visits will be scheduled as requested.

The application will be available online at Yukon.ca/midwifery-program. Anyone needing support to complete their application can call 393-7120.

The Yukon’s approach to midwifery care is aligned with standards and best practices in Canada, the government said.

Yukon Midwifery Program services are available by appointment only, by phoning 393-7120 or emailing midwifery@yukon.ca.

The Quartz Road clinic features two clinic rooms, a large reception area, a kids’ zone and a lending library.

“In alignment with the recommendations in the Putting People First report, the Yukon government is committed to further enhancing the Yukon Midwifery Program as we work to improve the health and social services outcomes and experiences of everyone in the territory,” the government said.