Strength in Practice

Midwives Critical in Every Crisis – Gaza

Following Hamas’ attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, the Israeli military launched a devastating assault on Gaza. Many leading genocide scholars, including Gregory H. Stanton, Raz Segal, and Omer Bartov, have described the campaign as genocide, though Israel rejects that characterization. Today, Gaza’s health system is in ruins. More than 85% of the population has been displaced, and only a fraction of hospitals and primary health centres remain partially functional amid severe shortages of fuel, water, electricity, medications, blood, and sterile supplies. A 2024 Lancet analysis estimates about 180 births a day in Gaza, with roughly 15% requiring advanced care. As part of our continuing series, Midwives Critical in Every Crisis, we put names and stories to those living and working through this moment. We ask what mothers and babies are facing, what health workers have witnessed and learned, and what midwives in Canada can do now.  Resources & References The Lancet — Pregnant women in Gaza require urgent protection https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2823%2902835-0/fulltext [https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2823%2902835-0/fulltext] MSF — Maternal and child health suffer under a decimated system https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/gaza-maternal-and-child-health-suffer-under-decimated-system [https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/gaza-maternal-and-child-health-suffer-under-decimated-system] UNFPA — As famine looms in Gaza, pregnant women and newborns face life-threatening health risks https://www.unfpa.org/news/famine-looms-gaza-pregnant-women-and-newborns-face-life-threatening-health-risks [https://www.unfpa.org/news/famine-looms-gaza-pregnant-women-and-newborns-face-life-threatening-health-risks] UNICEF — Born into hell https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/born-hell [https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/born-hell] MSF — Timeline: Bearing Witness to Genocide in Gaza https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/timeline-bearing-witness-genocide-gaza [https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/timeline-bearing-witness-genocide-gaza] UN Special Rapporteur — Gaza Genocide: A Collective Crime https://www.un.org/unispal/document/special-rapporteur-report-gaza-genocide-a-collective-crime-20oct25/ [https://www.un.org/unispal/document/special-rapporteur-report-gaza-genocide-a-collective-crime-20oct25/] __ We welcome feedback at CAMpodcast@canadianmidwives.org [CAMpodcast@canadianmidwives.org] Strength in Practice is produced by the Canadian Association of Midwives [https://canadianmidwives.org/], in collaboration with Bespoke Podcasts [https://www.bespokepodcasts.ca/]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Les sages-femmes, essentielles dans toutes les crises  - avec Jeffthanie Mathurin (Haïti )

En 2025, la Confédération internationale des sages-femmes souligne l’importance de leur rôle en contexte de crise. Ce premier épisode de notre série Les sages-femmes en temps de crise nous amène en Haïti, où elles continuent d’offrir des soins malgré l’effondrement du système de santé, la violence des gangs, les déplacements forcés et l’instabilité chronique. Jeffthanie Mathurin, Executive Director, ASFH (Association sage-femmes d'Haiti), témoigne de la réalité des soins maternels et néonatals dans ce contexte extrême. Son récit met en lumière la persévérance, le courage et la résilience des sages-femmes haïtiennes, et rappelle l’importance du soutien et de la solidarité internationale This episode is available in French only.  RESSOURCES    Alo Saj Fanm : La lutte pour sauver des mamans et bébés en Haïti  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7uiF2j5UJs&list=PL4RZgETpKwaDVGF_uLwNzO9Zuj7eh58Y6&index=1 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7uiF2j5UJs&list=PL4RZgETpKwaDVGF_uLwNzO9Zuj7eh58Y6&index=1]    Médecins sans frontières  https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/walking-hours-access-maternal-care-haiti [https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/walking-hours-access-maternal-care-haiti]  Al Jazeera  https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/11/haiti-death-toll-hits-nearly-5000-in-nine-months-as-gang-violence-spreads [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/11/haiti-death-toll-hits-nearly-5000-in-nine-months-as-gang-violence-spreads]?    AP News  https://apnews.com/article/haiti-gang-violence-killed-0a1e1adb661af1a6ed5396f0b4838fe6 [https://apnews.com/article/haiti-gang-violence-killed-0a1e1adb661af1a6ed5396f0b4838fe6]  Résumé du CFR (Council of Foreign Relations)  https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/haitis-troubled-path-development [https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/haitis-troubled-path-development]  UNICEF – Crise en Haïti  https://www.unicef.org/fr/urgences/crise-en-haiti [https://www.unicef.org/fr/urgences/crise-en-haiti]    LatAm Journalism Review   https://latamjournalismreview.org/articles/haitian-journalist-stranded-in-cuba-pleads-for-help-from-prime-minister-as-health-deteriorates/ [https://latamjournalismreview.org/articles/haitian-journalist-stranded-in-cuba-pleads-for-help-from-prime-minister-as-health-deteriorates/]  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Avortement – faits, craintes et lutte pour l’accès, avec Véronique Pronovost

« Si l’interruption de grossesse est légale, pourquoi l’accès, et même les faits à son sujet, sont-ils encore attaqués? »   Bien que l’interruption de grossesse soit légale au Canada, l’accès à la procédure, sa compréhension et les perceptions sont de plus en plus façonnés par la désinformation et les discours idéologiques. Dans cet épisode, la chercheuse Véronique Pronovost nous entraîne dans les coulisses des réseaux anti-choix coordonnés qui sont actifs au Canada et au Québec. Elle montre comment ces groupes se servent du langage, du financement et de la désinformation pour influencer l’opinion publique et nous explique comment les sages-femmes, les militant·e·s et les éducateur·trice·s peuvent riposter en offrant des faits, de l’empathie et, surtout, la vérité. Ressources Radio-Canada Avortement : un pays pas comme les autres  https://ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/balados/11802/avortement-un-pays-pas-comme-les-autres [https://ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/balados/11802/avortement-un-pays-pas-comme-les-autres]   https://ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/balados/11802/avortement-un-pays-pas-comme-les-autres/920074/avortement-canada-pro-vie-communaute [https://ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/balados/11802/avortement-un-pays-pas-comme-les-autres/920074/avortement-canada-pro-vie-communaute]  Constitution: Christine Fréchette pourrait retirer l’article sur l’avortement https://lactualite.com/actualites/constitution-christine-frechette-pourrait-retirer-larticle-sur-lavortement/ [https://lactualite.com/actualites/constitution-christine-frechette-pourrait-retirer-larticle-sur-lavortement/] Journaldemontreal.com (20 fév. 2026) — Sur le fait que Simon Jolin-Barrette retirerait la clause controversée https://www.journaldequebec.com/2026/02/20/constitution-quebecoise--simon-jolin-barrette-retirera-larticle-controverse-sur-la-protection-de-lavortement [https://www.journaldequebec.com/2026/02/20/constitution-quebecoise--simon-jolin-barrette-retirera-larticle-controverse-sur-la-protection-de-lavortement] Collège des médecins du Québec (9 déc. 2025) — Analyse/prise de position expliquant pourquoi inscrire l’avortement dans une constitution peut être “risqué” sur le plan juridique et pratique. https://www.cmq.org/fr/actualites/pl1? [https://www.cmq.org/fr/actualites/pl1?utm_source=chatgpt.com] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Abortion in Canada: Facts, Fears, and the Fight for Access with Frédérique Chabot, Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights

Abortion is legal in Canada, but access remains uneven, and misinformation is growing. In this episode of Strength in Practice, host Monika Goodluck speaks with Frédérique Chabot, Executive Director of Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, [https://www.actioncanadashr.org/] about what’s really shaping abortion care across the country. Together, they unpack where access breaks down (including rural/remote gaps and “patchwork” policies), how conscientious objection and disinformation can delay or obstruct care, and why Canada’s framework, treating abortion as health care under the Canada Health Act—matters. Frédérique also explains why calls for an “abortion law” can be risky, and how anti-choice tactics can enter through “backdoor” issues and narrative shifts. The conversation highlights the role of midwives in normalizing abortion as part of the full spectrum of reproductive health care—and what it takes to protect access through advocacy, collaboration, and compassionate, evidence-based support. RESOURCES SOGC HUB – Abortion  https://sogc.org/en/en/content/events/HUB-Pages/Abortion.aspx [https://sogc.org/en/en/content/events/HUB-Pages/Abortion.aspx]? Action Canada : Abortion in Canada must be accessible — not just legal https://www.actioncanadashr.org/abortion-access [https://www.actioncanadashr.org/abortion-access]? Abortion in Canada is legal for all, but inaccessible for too many https://policyoptions.irpp.org/2022/08/abortion-access-canada/ [https://policyoptions.irpp.org/2022/08/abortion-access-canada/] Medical abortion in Canada: behind the times https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3883814/ [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3883814/] The Truth about Crisis Pregnancy Centres https://www.missinformed.ca/post/the-truth-about-crisis-pregnancy-centres [https://www.missinformed.ca/post/the-truth-about-crisis-pregnancy-centres] Crisis pregnancy centres mislead women, report says https://globalnews.ca/news/2703632/crisis-pregnancy-centres-mislead-women-report-says/ [https://globalnews.ca/news/2703632/crisis-pregnancy-centres-mislead-women-report-says/] The Next Infodemic: Abortion Misinformation https://www.jmir.org/2023/1/e42582/ https://www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/article/mysterious-robocall-survey-polling-albertans-on-parental-consent-for-abortions/ [https://www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/article/mysterious-robocall-survey-polling-albertans-on-parental-consent-for-abortions/] Sharevski et al. (2023) TikTok abortion misinformation: Rampant Content, Lax Moderation, and Vivid User Experiences  https://arxiv.org/pdf/2301.05128 [https://arxiv.org/pdf/2301.05128] __ We welcome feedback at CAMpodcast@canadianmidwives.org [CAMpodcast@canadianmidwives.org] Strength in Practice is produced by the Canadian Association of Midwives [https://canadianmidwives.org/], in collaboration with Bespoke Podcasts [https://www.bespokepodcasts.ca/]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Midwifery: Birth, Bias, and Big Data with Dr. Sandra Multiva

As AI transforms health care, midwives find themselves at a crossroads:  Can technology support relational, culturally safe care, or will it deepen existing gaps?    In this thought-provoking episode of Strength in Practice, we explore how AI is already shaping perinatal care. We look at decision-making tools, fertility apps, algorithmic bias, and data privacy concerns. What does AI promise for maternal health? And what risks does it pose, particularly for marginalized communities?    We speak with Dr. Sandra Multiva PhD, a midwife and researcher whose work examines surveillance, consent, and how AI might either strengthen or undermine the future of midwife-led, culturally safe care.    Whether you are tech curious or tech cautious, this episode invites you to imagine a future where AI supports, not replaces, the heart of midwifery: relational care. ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Sandra Mutilva is the Program Manager for the International Midwifery Preregistration Bridging Program (IMPBP) at Toronto Metropolitan University. A registered midwife (Emeritus) with over 30 years of global experience, she holds a PhD in Organizational Leadership, an Executive MBA, and certifications in health leadership, risk management, and machine learning. Sandra has served as Chief of Midwifery at The Ottawa Hospital and co-founded Ottawa South Midwives. Her current work explores the ethical integration of Artificial Intelligence in reproductive health, with a focus on health equity, culturally safe care, and ensuring midwives are prepared for rapidly evolving digital health systems. REFERENCES * Related AI-driven efforts in obstetrics/labour prediction and other applications in healthcare (just the tip of the iceberg) [https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-study-shows-successful-labor-outcomes-in-expectant-mothers-using-ai/#:~:text=%E2%80%94%20Mayo%20Clinic%20researchers%20have%20found,were%20published%20in%20PLOS%20ONE.] * Artificial Intelligence Models for Predicting Mode of Delivery [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S246878472500073X], AlSaad et al., JOGOH, 2025 * Predicting Preterm Birth Using Machine Learning [https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-89905-1], Kloska et al., Scientific Reports, 2025 * Landmark Research from Maven Clinic on Virtual Doula Care [https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/landmark-research-from-maven-clinic-finds-virtual-doula-care-improves-birth-experiences-and-reduces-c-sections-at-rates-comparable-to-in-person-doula-support-302006857.html]  * Association Between Doula Use on a Digital Health Platform and Birth Outcomes [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38052036/], Karwa et al., Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2024 __ We welcome feedback at CAMpodcast@canadianmidwives.org [CAMpodcast@canadianmidwives.org] Strength in Practice is produced by the Canadian Association of Midwives [https://canadianmidwives.org/], in collaboration with Bespoke Podcasts [https://www.bespokepodcasts.ca/]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.