The Government of Yukon is committed to supporting new parents and improving health outcomes for pregnant people, babies and families. Since full-service midwifery care resumed on February 12, 2024, the Yukon Midwifery Program has continued to demonstrate a passionate commitment to providing care in the Yukon, supporting 13 births.
In the Yukon, 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, birth and up to eight weeks post-partum. Registered midwives provide care in various settings depending on individual need, including at the Yukon Midwifery Clinic, Whitehorse General Hospital, in clients’ homes or virtually.
The team consists of three full-time registered midwives, a clinical manager, a medical office assistant and second birth attendants. As a publicly funded, fully integrated part of the Yukon’s health system, the program provides Yukoners with an additional option for safe, accessible and high-quality maternity care.
Each week the Yukon Midwifery Clinic offers a program called Infant Feeding Mondays. This program is facilitated by a registered midwife or registered nurse with training and experience in infant feeding. They can answer questions, provide advice and support to Yukoners who are currently pregnant or parents of infants up to 12 months of age.
In partnership with Solstice Maternity, the Yukon Midwifery Program offers free baby baskets containing essential supplies for newborns and parents. Each basket serves as a safe sleeping space for babies and includes a mattress and about 20 essential items, along with educational resources to help new parents navigate the early stages of parenthood.
Yukoners who are approximately 28 weeks pregnant or have a baby under two months old can request a baby basket by getting a referral from any health care provider. More information is at yukon.ca/baby-basket-project.
The Government of Yukon will continue to work with local and national partners to ensure the Yukon Midwifery Program continues to offer the highest quality care for Yukoners.
Offering free, integrated and safe midwifery services is important in supporting Yukoners through pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. The recruitment of a third, full-time midwife for the Yukon Midwifery Program is another step in delivering quality midwifery care for Yukoners. I am grateful to our dedicated midwifery program staff whose commitment and hard work ensure that Yukoners receive full-service midwifery care.
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The program is open to all Yukoners, but in-person care and birthing services are only available in Whitehorse at this time. Virtual care visits are scheduled as requested.
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The application is available online at Yukon.ca/midwifery-program. Anyone needing support to complete their application can call 867-393-7120.
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The Yukon’s approach to midwifery care is aligned with standards and best practices in Canada.
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Yukon Midwifery Program services are available by appointment only. People can phone 867-393-7120 or email midwifery@yukon.ca to make an appointment.
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The Yukon Midwifery Program at 9010 Quartz Road in Whitehorse features two clinic rooms, a large reception area, a kids’ zone and a lending library.
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The preliminary number of births (253) in the Yukon from January through July 2024 has increased 17.1 per cent compared to the same time in 2023 at which time there were 216 births.
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To deliver and maintain a comprehensive and high-quality care model in the territory the Yukon Midwifery Program accepts a limited number of applicants each year.
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In alignment with the recommendations in the Putting People First report, the Government of Yukon is committed to further enhancing the Yukon Midwifery Program to improve the health and social services outcomes and experiences of everyone in the territory.
Jordan Owens
Cabinet Communications
867-332-0615
jordan.owens@yukon.ca
Mairi Macrae
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-332-9198
mairi.macrae@yukon.ca