Alberta Midwives: Our Stories

Tune in as we provide a platform for Alberta midwives to talk about their unique journeys to (and through) midwifery. 

 
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Podcast Overview

Drawing from the personal narratives of Alberta midwives and the families they serve, the Alberta Midwives: Our Stories podcast provides an intimate glimpse into the expertise, heart and soul of Alberta's leading perinatal care providers and the people with whom they collaborate.

Through our inspiring, informative and sometimes challenging conversations, host Dr. Lolly de Jonge will explore Alberta's midwifery roots, the current state and each midwife’s vision for the future, all within the context of the broader perinatal care landscape. Tune in and subscribe as we provide a platform for Alberta midwives to talk about their unique journeys to (and through) midwifery. 

Download and listen now!

Episode 07: Midwives Living and Practicing with a Disability
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Episode 07: Midwives Living and Practicing with a Disability

In this episode, we explore the profession of midwifery from the perspective of two registered midwives with unique perspectives and abilities. Episode 7: Midwives Living and Practicing with a Disability introduces us to Shannon Kaltenbruner and Chantel Gauthier-Vaillancourt and their journeys to midwifery and the practice of providing care to families and catching babies. Listen as Lolly de Jonge enquires about the distinct challenges they face and the challenges, joys and delights of practicing midwifery with a disability.

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Episode 06, Part II: Taking Pride: 2SLGBTQ+ Midwives
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Episode 06, Part II: Taking Pride: 2SLGBTQ+ Midwives

The second half of this two-part episode. Sometimes there's more than meets the eye.

In this episode of "Our Stories," we sit down with Sam Chisholm and Marita Obst for a candid conversation about what it's like being a queer midwife in Alberta, their love of the profession, as well as stories of their personal experiences being part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Join host Dr. Lolly de Jonge, as she guides this informative conversation that will educate and highlight the importance of getting to know your care providers on a deeper level.

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Episode 06: Taking Pride: 2SLGBTQ+ Midwives
Alchemy Communications Inc. Alchemy Communications Inc.

Episode 06: Taking Pride: 2SLGBTQ+ Midwives

Sometimes there's more than meets the eye.

In this special two-part episode of "Our Stories," we sit down with Sam Chisholm and Marita Obst for a candid conversation about what it's like being a queer midwife in Alberta, their love of the profession, as well as stories of their personal experiences being part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Join host Dr. Lolly de Jonge, as she guides this informative conversation that will educate and highlight the importance of getting to know your care providers on a deeper level.

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Episode 05: Pregnancy and Infant Loss (The Role of Midwives in Bereavement Care)
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Episode 05: Pregnancy and Infant Loss (The Role of Midwives in Bereavement Care)

In this episode, host Dr. Lolly de Jonge is joined by two passionate rural midwives, Eve Verdon of Lethbridge Community Midwives and Stacy Peleskey of Cherry Blossom Midwives. They discuss the challenges, joys, and delights of rural midwifery, why it matters, and what is necessary to ensure the long-term growth and sustainability of midwifery services for rural and remote communities.

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Episode 04: Rural Midwifery is Catching!
Alchemy Communications Inc. Alchemy Communications Inc.

Episode 04: Rural Midwifery is Catching!

In this episode, host Dr. Lolly de Jonge is joined by two passionate rural midwives, Eve Verdon of Lethbridge Community Midwives and Stacy Peleskey of Cherry Blossom Midwives. They discuss the challenges, joys, and delights of rural midwifery, why it matters, and what is necessary to ensure the long-term growth and sustainability of midwifery services for rural and remote communities.

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Episode 03: Labouring Together: Interprofessional Collaboration in Maternity Care
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Episode 03: Labouring Together: Interprofessional Collaboration in Maternity Care

Today, Dr. Lolly de Jonge is joined by two very special Alberta midwives, Wendy Wood of Briar Hill Midwives and Heather Martin of Passages Midwifery, and high-risk OB/Maternal-Fetal Medicine Dr. Stephanie Cooper. They chat about the why, what and how of interprofessional collaboration, the impacts of COVID-19 on maternity care practices, and how building a collaborative culture that is rooted in respect, understanding and communication can improve birth outcomes and experiences for Alberta families.

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Episode 02: Strong in Her Standing: One Black Alberta Midwife Shares Her Lineage, Research and Views
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Episode 02: Strong in Her Standing: One Black Alberta Midwife Shares Her Lineage, Research and Views

Chandra Martini is a Registered Midwife at Calgary Midwives Collective and the author of a fascinating research project on Black pioneer midwives in Western Canada. Today, she joins host Lolly de Jonge to chat about her ancestral roots as a descendant of Black pioneer midwives herself. They discuss what she learned about systemic disparities in perinatal care for Black Canadians, why race-based research is essential to understanding experiences and breaking down barriers for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) in Canada. Chandra also shares her personal thoughts on being a Black midwife in today's world.

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Episode 01: Looking Back at "Her" Story: Musings of an Alberta Midwifery Forerunner
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Episode 01: Looking Back at "Her" Story: Musings of an Alberta Midwifery Forerunner

In this episode, we talk with Joy West-Eklund, RM (Retired), Alberta midwifery forerunner, founder of community-based midwifery practice, Calgary and District Midwifery Associates (now Briar Hill Midwives), and co-founder of the Briar Hill Birth Centre (now Arbour Birth Centre) in Calgary. Joy joins us to talk about her fascinating career and trailblazing efforts to advance the growth and sustainability of midwives and midwifery services in Alberta.

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