Officials with Alberta Health Services are urging expectant mothers to check the credentials of their birthing attendants following two recent home deliveries in which non-certified individuals assisted in the birthing process.

AHS has been made aware of two recent home deliveries in the Calgary Zone performed by individuals who are not legally permitted to assist with labour and delivery in Alberta. AHS has reported the two births to the Calgary Police Service. In order to maintain patient confidentiality, AHS has not divulged additional information about the two births.

AHS says the managing of labour and the delivering of babies are activities restricted by law and may only be performed in Alberta by:

Registered physicians

Registered midwives

Registered nurses

EMS personnel (in the event of an emergency)

To ensure the health and safety of the mother and her child/children, only health professionals with formal training and necessary certification should assist in home births.

“You can hire anybody who you want to be there at the time of labour,” said Dr. Verna Yiu, AHS Chief Medical Officer. “They are not regulated to actually provide any type of medical intervention or to treat or exam the patients. People who do that, actually contravene the health professionals act.”

For more information on home births and the credentials of birthing attendants, visit: