Aboriginal health care: Toronto’s first stand-alone birth centre geared to cultural practices – Toronto Star
Stand-alone midwifery centre sensitized to native culture is a leap forward in health care for aboriginal and marginalized women, experts say.
Aug 28 2013
There was little by way of her own culture involved when Sarah Dennis gave birth to her daughter, Waasnodeh, a bubbly little girl with dark, curly hair, almost five years ago.
But when Dennis got pregnant again, her midwife — Sara Wolfe from Seventh Generation Midwives Toronto, a midwifery practice specializing in care for aboriginal women — helped weave culture into her overall care.
It was Wolfe who initiated the conversation, asking if Dennis, who is Ojibwa, wanted to include cultural teachings when her son Waseskwan, now 1 year old, was being delivered? Did her partner, who is Cree, need additional support to recite a few traditional Cree prayers in the delivery room?
