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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About Samantha Chisholm, RM (she/her)
Sam was born and raised in Kenora ON (Northern Ontario) which is where her love of midwifery began. She started attending births at the age of 15 with the local midwife in Kenora. Once she graduated high school she was accepted into the Midwifery Program at Laurentian University in Sudbury. Upon completing her degree in 2016, she began working in Southern Ontario.
After finishing her New Registrant year she moved to Central Alberta and started working with a rural practice. After a couple of years spent in Central AB, her and her wife Sierra moved to Edmonton. They live with their three kitties and dog Gus! Sam loves to get outside, practice photography, play musical instruments, bake and cook, and play board games. She is currently pregnant with their first baby!
About Marita Obst, RM (she/her)
Marita is a queer midwife living in Treaty 6 territory, currently known as Edmonton, Alberta. She was born and raised in Yellowknife, NWT, and later Winnipeg MB. She completed her first degree at the University of Toronto in Sexual Diversity Studies, and before coming to Alberta to study midwifery in 2013, she has also lived in Germany and Australia. Marita feels grateful to have been able to start her own practice in 2020, the Edmonton Midwifery Cooperative, with six other midwives, where they intentionally provide care to underserved communities in Edmonton.
She is passionate about providing culturally concordant care to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and hopes to someday see Alberta midwifery allow for care of families from pre-conception to in-home/office intrauterine insemination and fertility services, followed by pregnancy and postpartum care. She currently facilitates the Edmonton 2SLGBTQ+ Pregnancy and Parenting Community groups that meet (in accordance to Public Health guidelines) once a month, where queer families can build connection. Find them on facebook.
When not working as a midwife, Marita is deeply involved in governance work with the Alberta Association of Midwives, and is honoured to serve her profession and fellow midwives in this way. She is an avid reader and swimmer, and has found a new love of pottery wheel throwing. She is a self-professed homebody that you can find most of the time happily ensconced at home with her best friend and fiance James, and their bulldog Sammy.
