What a Patient-Centered Maternity Care Model Looks Like

When maternity care works the way it should, it is collaborative, compassionate, and centered on the needs of the patient. My own birth experience is proof of what’s possible when the system comes together.

I intended to have a natural delivery. But with a complex medical history, that plan wasn’t safe without further review. Instead of leaving me to navigate the uncertainty alone, my midwife connected me to specialists — internal medicine, an OB-GYN, my gastroenterologist, and my general physician. Together, they carefully reviewed my situation and recommended a C-section as the safest option. That decision wasn’t made in isolation; it was the result of a coordinated team ensuring I had the information I needed for informed consent.

One moment stands out above all the others. In the operating room, as I received my spinal tap, my midwife placed her hands gently on my shoulders. We leaned forehead to forehead, and she quietly reassured me: “You’re doing great. You’re okay.” In that instant, I felt completely safe and seen.

Before the surgery, I met with my anesthesiologist, OB-GYN, midwife, and labour and delivery nurses. They walked me through each step of the procedure, answered my questions, and ensured my comfort. My OB-GYN even supported my decision to have my midwife serve as the surgical assistant. Not only did this give me a trusted presence in the operating room, but it also created seamless continuity of care afterward, as my midwife understood exactly how the procedure went.

That continuity was invaluable. In the weeks after delivery, my midwife provided home visits while I recovered. At one appointment, she identified a concern with my newborn and immediately consulted with the pediatrician on call. We were referred to the NICU, where the doctors reached out to top immunization and infectious disease specialists outside of Kamloops. The fact that my baby and I had access to such coordinated, informed care was nothing short of incredible.

This is what patient-centered maternity care looks like: a wraparound model where midwives, OB-GYNs, anesthesiologists, family doctors, nurses, doulas, pediatricians, and specialists all work together — complementing one another, prioritizing safety, and making sure families feel empowered every step of the way.

Decision-makers must understand that everyone deserves this kind of experience. Every expectant family should have the right to access safe, informed, and compassionate care — the kind of care that honors their birth choices and protects their health. To make that a reality, we need to build up our medical system, not watch it erode.

Chloe Barton, Maternity Matters Kamloops