On Friday, February 2, Claude Reid, Member of Parliament for Beauharnois, took part in the inauguration of new midwifery services in the Montérégie-Ouest region, on behalf of Christian Dubé, Minister of Health. The organization, which serves the Vallée-du-Haut-Saint-Laurent region including the Beauharnois-Salaberry and Vaudreuil-Soulanges MRCs, is temporarily occupying premises in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. 

To read also:

CISSSMO at the heart of a pilot project deployed by the MSSS

From Cameroon to Suroît Hospital to practice nursing

Eventually, the organization will move to new premises. For now, the space it occupies at 181 Victoria Street includes a waiting room, three consultation rooms and a conference room. The name "Services de sage-femme de la Vallée" echoes the fertile soil of the Vallée-du-Haut-Saint-Laurent region.  

"For nearly 10 years, the women of our region have been asking for a midwifery service to be set up in the region. After several years of lobbying, we can finally say mission accomplished. Several local and provincial players are involved in the project, which may lengthen the time it takes to bring it to fruition. This service is intended to complement the Centre Mère-enfant of the Centre hospitalier du Suroît, enabling pregnant women who so wish to give birth in the comfort of their own home, anywhere in the Montérégie-Ouest region, or in hospital, but assisted by a midwife," says Cynthia Perreault, manager of Midwifery Services de la Vallée and a midwife since 2003.

Why did the organization choose Salaberry-de-Valleyfield? "Because it's geographically located at the heart of the Vallée-du-Haut-Saint-Laurent region, but also because it's on this territory that a birthing center will be set up in a few years' time.Steps have already been taken in this direction. What's more, we feel that the proximity of the Centre Mère-Enfant is consistent with this positioning," explained Philippe Gribeauval, President and CEO of the CISSS de la Montérégie-Ouest. 

Several months of support 

The first patient followed by the Valley Midwifery Services will give birth in the coming weeks.The support offered to pregnant women attending the organization begins in the first weeks of pregnancy and lasts until six weeks after delivery."Our services include medical tests and analyses. We also share with parents or parents-to-be concepts related to their role and preparation for birth. We also focus on the psychosocial aspects of the woman's life. We make sure to respect the patient's spiritual beliefs in our approach. Of course, on the day of delivery, we'll be by the mother's side day and night. Once the baby arrives, we'll stay with them for four hours to make sure everyone's all right," she adds. 

Within two years, the organization should reach full cruising speed. The organization's team currently includes two midwives, a service manager who is also a midwife, and an administrative officer.Covering the Montérégie-Ouest region, services will be rolled out gradually.By 2025-2026, some 130 follow-ups will be performed annually, and around 85 births will take place under the supervision of a midwife. This will represent 10% of all births recorded annually in the Vallée-du-Haut-Saint-Laurent region.A further three midwives and four birth assistants are planned for 2024.In total, the annual operating budget for Midwifery Services of the Valley will be around $1.2 million. 

Did you know that to become a midwife, you need a bachelor's degree and 4? years of study (132 credits)?This university program is offered at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières. 

"The arrival of these new services is excellent news.I'm delighted that local families will have better access to perinatal services close to home.Thank you to the teams who helped make this project a reality, and to the midwives who will offer their expertise and a more personalized experience to young families at this important stage in their lives," concluded Claude Reid, MNA for Beauharnois. 

A parents' committee has been involved in setting up the midwifery services since the early stages.