West Country Midwives

01/19/2026

Did you know that Tarina and Julie have spread their wings and are now Wild Rose Midwives? We were so happy to be part of helping them. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1cH2KYPZc8/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Early on in her pregnancy, Hannah Longson was relieved to connect with Tarina Johnson, a registered midwife, who practised just down the street from her home, in Town of Drayton Valley, a community about 1.5 hours southwest of Edmonton.

“It’s really awesome to see that Tarina wants to stay up-to-date with the forever changing research of babies,” says Longson, whose daughter, Juniper, is now seven months old.

“She was so respectful of the choices that I made.”

Staying on top of the latest research is important to Johnson, who became a midwife in 2020. She enrolled in the online course, Breast/Chestfeeding for Healthcare Providers through Douglas College, just over a year ago so she could provide lactation support for the community and her business, Wild Rose Midwives - Drayton Valley

RhPAP helped fund the course, a cost Johnson says she wouldn’t have been able to cover at the time due to other business expenses. Even though she completed her midwifery studies just five years before, she found the course beneficial.

“It was all new information that is something completely different than what the guidelines were saying when I was in school,” says Johnson.

Read the full story on the blog: https://loom.ly/xs7lgjk

📸 Photo supplied by Hannah Longson of her and her daughter, Juniper, now seven months. Longson accessed the support of rural registered midwife, Tarina Johnson, early on in her pregnancy.

Cherry Blossom Midwives Town of Taber

01/18/2026

What about emergencies during homebirth?

This is one of the most misunderstood parts of home birth.

Planned home birth is not “no plan.”

It involves careful screening, preparation, emergency skills, and clear pathways for hospital transfer when needed.

Endorsed midwives carry emergency equipment, medications, and the skills to respond immediately to complications, while organising transfer when that becomes the safest next step.

The most common reasons for transfer from home to hospital according to teh research are:

• Slow or prolonged labour progress, particularly in first labours
• Request for epidural pain relief
• Meconium-stained waters, where continuous monitoring is recommended
• Suturing needs that require hospital facilities

Safety isn’t about location. It’s about appropriate selection, skilled care, continuity of care, and having a clear plan if something changes.

It’s also worth remembering that in hospital settings, the word emergency is used very broadly.

Many situations are labelled emergencies because labour isn’t progressing within expected timeframes, policies are triggered, or monitoring falls outside predefined parameters, not because someone is in immediate danger.

01/18/2026

You are practising diapers on a stuffed animal (or the cat). You are researching car seats and strollers.

Take one evening to learn about breastfeeding too.

LLLC’s Prenatal Breastfeeding Essentials class is free and built for real life.

It covers what feeding looks like in the early days, what is normal, common challenges, and where support fits in (and how to find it).

Classes are virtual, with some in person options depending on location. They fill up quickly!

Many families share that this class helped them feel more confident and less overwhelmed once baby arrived.

Breastfeeding is a learned skill! You deserve time to prepare and support that lasts.

Register here:
https://www.lllc.ca/breastfeeding-essentials

01/15/2026

I’m sure this is an amazing workshop by some talented professionals. I would highly recommend.

✨ Prep Your Body for Birth ✨
A hands-on couples workshop designed to help you feel confident, supported, and prepared for birth.

Join Sally Majama, Doula and Dr. Joelle Johnson of Family First Chiropractic & Wellness as we guide you through comfort measures, partner support techniques, body-prep strategies, herbs, homeopathies, and so much more to support your birth journey.

This class is all about empowering both parents with practical tools you can actually use — during pregnancy and birth. 🤍

👉 Link in bio to register
Spaces are limited!

01/15/2026

We love Emily but are excited to also work with Lundie who is doing some great work with A local gym on pelvic health!

Hi Rocky Mountain House! Meet Lundie, she's one of our pelvic health physiotherapists and she will be coming to Rocky every other Friday.

You can book appointments with her on our website or give us a call.

01/13/2026

Interested in partnering with a nurse practitioner or naturopath, or functional medicine who may be looking to open a practice in Rocky Mountain House. If anyone has any contacts please share with them or have them reach out to us.

01/13/2026

Some very interesting data.

01/12/2026

Midwifery is more than a profession; it’s a vital part of Alberta’s healthcare system, providing essential care to families and communities across the province. Midwives are often the first point of contact for families, guiding them through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care, while supporting emotional, physical, and social wellbeing.

Right now, midwives need our collective voices to ensure that their contributions are recognized, supported, and protected through policy and decision-making. The MLA Campaign gives you a direct way to make an impact.

Here’s how you can take action in two simple steps:
1️⃣ Scan the QR code
2️⃣ Fill out the form to share your support

When MLAs hear directly from constituents, they are more likely to understand the importance of midwifery and reflect it in the decisions that shape Alberta’s healthcare system.

Your message helps protect midwifery today and ensures it remains a sustainable, valued option for families tomorrow.

👉 Please share the QR code with your networks—friends, family, clients, and community members. Every voice counts. Together, we can make a difference for midwives and the families they care for.

🔗 Link in bio or visit the Alberta Association of Midwives website to add your voice today.

01/10/2026

Andrea is working in West Country Wellness Center and is booking appointments and specializes in women's health issues. Book a visit to talk about your concerns and get personalized treatment.

Manual therapy during pregnancy and postpartum offers significant benefits, including reducing back/pelvic pain, improving circulation, easing muscle tension, enhancing mobility, and preparing the body for labor, while postpartum it aids in recovery, restores core/pelvic floor strength, reduces swelling, and helps with breastfeeding by balancing the body and improving function. It helps manage postural changes, reduces stress, and promotes relaxation for a smoother journey for mother and baby, supporting overall musculoskeletal health.

Benefits During Pregnancy (Prenatal)

Pain Relief: Alleviates lower back pain, hip pain, sciatica, and pelvic girdle pain caused by weight changes and spinal shifts.

Improved Mobility & Posture: Helps adapt to postural changes, improves flexibility, and maintains musculoskeletal balance.

Reduced Swelling: Enhances circulation, delivering nutrients and oxygen to mother and baby, and reducing fluid buildup.

Labor Preparation: Optimizes pelvic mobility, reduces tension, and prepares the body for childbirth, potentially leading to smoother delivery.

Stress & Mood: Lowers stress, anxiety, and depression, boosting "happy hormones".

Organ Function: Eases symptoms like heartburn, insomnia, and nausea through gentle techniques.

Benefits During Postpartum (After Birth)

Faster Recovery: Supports healing of muscles, ligaments, and joints after the physical exertion of childbirth.

Core & Pelvic Floor Restoration: Rebalances the body, restores core strength, and retrains pelvic floor muscles to prevent incontinence.

Improved Breastfeeding: Increases circulation and reduces swelling in the upper back and chest, improving comfort.

Increased Energy: Helps restore overall wellness, giving new mothers energy for caring for their newborn.

Scar Tissue Management: Addresses scar tissue from C-sections or perineal tears, improving function.

01/07/2026

We need to train more midwives that want to work outside urban areas. Every week we get calls from people on the wait list who cannot get care; however, most midwifery clinics in Alberta outside the cities have had open posting for years.

We need to put pressure to change the training so that we can get midwives trained who want to work outside the cities.

We will have postcards and bumper stickers available at our clinic and we encourage you to write your MLA.

📣 Support Alberta’s midwives in two simple steps:

1️⃣ Scan the QR code
2️⃣ Fill out the form to add your voice

This MLA campaign, led by the Alberta Association of Midwives, helps ensure midwives’ voices are heard where healthcare decisions are made. Every message sent strengthens advocacy for sustainable, accessible midwifery care for families across Alberta.

👉 Share the QR code widely—every voice matters.

01/07/2026

We will have a clinic space available for monthly rent starting March 1,2026. This space will have access to a classroom for classes that can be included in rent, laundry facilities. Working alongside midwives, manual therapist, and pelvic floor physio. Call or email Nicole if you would like to learn more. Westcountrymidwives@gmail.com 403-846-1500
www.westcountrymidwives@gmail.com" rel="ugc" target="_blank">www.westcountrymidwives@gmail.com

01/07/2026

Postpartum care doesn't stop at your 6 week check - and neither should your recovery. Pelvic health therapy is recommended in the weeks and months after birth to support healing, strength, and confidence as your body adapts to life postpartum.

Your postpartum care includes:
- gentle pelvic floor and core retraining
- support for bladder or bowel leakage
- scar care after perineal tears or C-section
- guidance for safely returning to exercise and daily activities
- support for pelvic pain, heaviness, or pressure
- education on posture, lifting and baby care to protect your body

Whether you had a vaginal birth or C-section, early and individualized pelvic health care can reduce symptoms now and help prevent issues later.

If you're newly postpartum or months (or years) out, we can help.