alicia rebman
Launch of Internationally Educated Midwives Program
The Province is providing $680,000 for a new program at the University of British Columbia (UBC) that provides a pathway for internationally educated midwives to become fully licensed to practise in British Columbia.
UBC Midwifery Launches New Island Cohort
Discover how the birth of a new education initiative aims to transform the landscape of maternity care across B.C.
Admissions 2015 Update:
Update – February 26th, 2015
UBC Midwifery Congratulates 2014 Graduates
On May 21st, UBC Midwifery Director Dr. Michelle Butler and Associate Professor Saraswathi Vedam congratulated the 2014 graduates at their convocation. This year marked a milestone as we welcomed our 100th graduate of the program amongst our 20 new graduates.
Conscious Coupling: Elaine Carty creates excitement with Visiting Scholars
UBC Midwifery is just 12 years old – its future, yet to be written. It is a field of study caught between modern and ancient: an emerging field in Canada, yet a timeless tradition around the world. That mix can make for exciting academia and Elaine Carty is encouraging that to happen. Emerita Professor Carty, […]
99-year-old Salt Spring Island resident donates 250 handmade quilts to UBC Midwifery Program for Ugandan babies
(Please click on article for larger view)
Admissions 2014 Update – February 20th, 2014
The Assessment Team is completing the last reviews of all supplemental applications. The Midwifery Program will be compiling the scores in combination with GPA assessments completed by Enrolment Services, and will be contacting those eligible for Interviews by the end of February/early March. Interviews for the 20 seats offered for the Fall of 2014 will […]
U.S. home births found to have low intervention and mortality rates
UBC Midwifery Associate Professor, Saraswathi Vedam (second from left) assists at a home birth. Planned home births among low-risk women in the U.S. result in low rates of birth interventions without an increase in adverse outcomes for mothers and babies, according to research by the University of British Columbia and three U.S. universities. The study […]
2014 Admissions Update
The application process for entrance to the Midwifery Program for September 2014 is now closed. The program is currently reviewing all supplementals and awaiting the completion of GPA assessments. Calls for interviews should be made close to the end of February, with interviews tentatively scheduled for late March. Good luck to all applicants!
Reminder of Midwifery Application Deadlines
The application process for the September 2014 intake into UBC’s Midwifery Program is coming to a close. Applications for entrance to UBC, identifying Midwifery as your choice of program must be submitted to http://you.ubc.ca/admissions/ by 11:59 pm, Monday, December 2nd. Once you have submitted your application to UBC, you will have until 11:59 pm, Friday, January 17th, 2014 to submit […]
UBC Midwifery Fall Information Sessions
The UBC Midwifery Program will hold information sessions around the province during the month of October. The Student Services Manager will first review the program and then present the admissions requirements and application procedures. A Question and Answer period will follow, with a current student midwife and practicing midwife joining him to answer your questions. Registration is […]
UBC Midwifery students join First Nations elder to harvest and blend local medicinal teas
Part 1 By Rachelle Fulford, 2nd year UBC Midwifery student This summer the UBC Midwifery Program arranged for midwifery students and clinical faculty to participate in a two-part workshop to learn about plants useful for midwifery practice. It was an experience rich with culture and joy. Situated at UBC Farm on traditional Musqueam land, the […]
Welcome Midwifery class of 2017!
The UBC Midwifery Program is excited to welcome the graduating class of 2017, the first cohort of 20 students to enter first year.
Message from the new Director
I am absolutely delighted to have been selected to be the new Director of the Midwifery Program at UBC and I look forward to taking up my post in January 2014. I visited UBC in June and was really impressed with what has been achieved on the midwifery program over the last ten years. This […]
Dr. Michelle Butler appointed Director, UBC Midwifery Program
The Department of Family Practice and the Midwifery Program are delighted to announce that Dr. Michelle Butler has been appointed as the new Director of the UBC Midwifery Program. Dr. Michelle Butler is an experienced midwife, teacher, researcher, and university administrator. She qualified as a Registered Nurse and Midwife before pursuing a BSc in Health […]
Congratulations Midwifery Class of 2013!
As another academic year has come to a close, the UBC Midwifery program is extremely proud to congratulate an exceptional group of new midwives who will be joining Canada’s maternity care team. Having worked closely with the graduates over the past four years of their education at UBC, we have had the opportunity to witness […]
Elaine Carty awarded honorary doctorate
Elaine Carty, Professor and Interim Director of Midwifery in the Department of Family Practice, was conferred the degree Doctor of Science honoris causa from McMaster University. Dr. Carty is a nurse, midwife and one of Canada’s leading pioneers on several women’s health issues. She helped introduce midwifery into the Canadian health care system and was […]
Family Practice – Residents Research Day
Join us for the Department of Family Practice Residents Research Day – Friday, June 21, 2013 We invite all members of the Department of Family Practice, including Clinician Scholars, community-based researchers, midwives, clinical and academic faculty, to this year’s Residents Research Day on Friday, June 21, 2013. Residents from across the province and midwifery students […]
Medicina 2013
The conference will be held on April 6-7, 2013, at the Medical Student & Alumni Centre (2750 Heather Street, Vancouver). It will be a forum where students, healthcare professionals, as well as community partners can exchange ideas on health promotion through arts, media, and the humanities. Our list of speakers include: You can find out […]
Celebrate Research 2013
Sex & Drugs & Reproductive Health Monday, March 4, 20139 a.m. – 12 p.m. (reception to follow)Room 1201, Pharmaceutical Sciences Building, 2405 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver RSVP to Barb Conway by March 1, 2013. This public event features three dynamic speakers in the area of women’s reproductive health: Cynthia Harper, PhD; Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics, […]
Grants awarded from the Foundation for the Advancement of Midwifery, Birth Trust
Delegates who attended the Home Birth Consensus Summit collaborate to receive two grants from the Foundation for the Advancement of Midwifery, Birth Trust. Project Title: A matched cohort study of maternity outcomes and midwife-led care in the United StatesPrincipal-Applicant: Kathrin Stoll, PhDCo-applicants: Profs. Saraswathi Vedam & Melissa Cheyney Synopsis Conflict and controversy over the safety […]
Psychometric evaluation of the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue scale for use with pregnant and postpartum women
2008 Fairbrother N, Hutton EK, Stoll K, Hall W, Kluka S. (2008). Psychometric evaluation of the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue scale for use with pregnant and postpartum women. Psychological Assessment, 20(2): 150-158. Abstract Although fatigue is a common experience for pregnant women and new mothers, few measures of fatigue have been validated for use […]
“It’s all the rage these days”: University students’ attitudes toward vaginal and cesarean birth
2009 Stoll K, Fairbrother N, Carty E, Jordan N, Miceli C, Vostrcil Y, Willihnganz L. (2009). “It’s all the rage these days”: University students’ attitudes toward vaginal and cesarean birth. Birth, 36(2): 133-140. Abstract Background: At 30 percent, British Columbia has the highest cesarean section rate in Canada. Little is known about the […]
Childbirth fear, anxiety, fatigue, and sleep deprivation in pregnant women
2009 Hall WA, Hauck YL, Carty EM, Hutton EK, Fenwick J, Stoll K. (2009). Childbirth fear, anxiety, fatigue, and sleep deprivation in pregnant women. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 38(5): 567-576. Abstract Objective: To explore women’s levels of childbirth fear, sleep deprivation, anxiety, and fatigue and their relationships during the third trimester […]
Assessing certified nurse-midwives’ attitudes towards planned home birth
2010 Vedam S, Aaker J, Stoll K. (2010). Assessing certified nurse-midwives’ attitudes towards planned home birth. Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health, 55(2): 133-142. Abstract Introduction: Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) are prepared for care in many settings and could increase access to planned home birth for American women. However, only 4% […]
Stress and anxiety associated with lack of access to maternity services for rural parturient women
2011 Kornelsen J, Stoll K, Grzybowski S. (2011). Stress and anxiety associated with lack of access to maternity services for rural parturient women. The Australian Journal of Rural Health, 19(1): 9-14. Abstract Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the level of stress and anxiety between women resident in communities with different […]
Distance matters: A population based study examining access to maternity services for rural women
2011 Grzybowski S, Stoll K, Kornelsen J. (2011). Distance matters: A population based study examining access to maternity services for rural women. BMC Health Services Research, 11: 147. Abstract Background: In the past fifteen years there has been a wave of closures of small maternity services in Canada and other developed nations which results […]
Development and psychometric testing of the rural pregnancy experience scale (RPES)
2011 Kornelsen J, Stoll K, Grzybowski S. (2011). Development and psychometric testing of the rural pregnancy experience scale (RPES). Journal of Nursing Measurement, 19(2): 115-128. Abstract Rural pregnant woman who lack local access to maternity care due to their remote living circumstances may experience stress and anxiety related to pregnancy and parturition. The Rural […]
Exploring inconsistent breastfeeding advice: 1
2002 Simmons V (2002). Exploring inconsistent breastfeeding advice: 1. British Journal of Midwifery, 10(5): 297-301. Abstract There is now no doubt that breastfeeding provides health benefits for both infant and mother. Although 68% of all mothers in the UK initiate breastfeeding, only 44% are still breastfeeding at 6weeks (Foster et al, 1997). This large […]
Exploring inconsistent breastfeeding advice: 2
2002 Simmons V (2002). Exploring inconsistent breastfeeding advice: 2. British Journal of Midwifery, 10(10): 616-19. Abstract Inconsistent breastfeeding advice and support has been linked to the early cessation of breastfeeding (Rajan 1993, Department of Health, 1988). The available literature fails to explain why inconsistent advice exists, or why this problem has developed and persists. […]
Exploring inconsistent advice & practice: Part 3
2003 Simmons V (2003). Exploring inconsistent advice & practice: Part 3. British Journal of Midwifery, 11(9): 564-67. Abstract This is the final in a series of three articles. The first two articles presented a primary research study which explored if, and why, inconsistent breastfeeding advice and practice existed amongst a group of midwives and health […]
Nurse-midwives’ experiences with planned home birth: Impact on attitudes and practice
2009 Vedam S, Stoll K, Aaker J, White S, Schummers L. (2009). Nurse-midwives’ experiences with planned home birth: Impact on attitudes and practice. Birth, 34(4): 274-282. [available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20002419] Abstract Background: Health care providers’ attitudes toward maternity care options influence the nature of informed decision-making discussions and patient choice. A woman’s choice of […]
Reducing maternal mortality in Uganda: Applying the “three delays” framework
2011 Ellis C, Schummers L, Rostoker M. Reducing maternal mortality in Uganda: Applying the “three delays” framework. International Journal of Childbirth, 1(4): 218-226(9). Abstract Purpose: This article examines maternal mortality in Uganda through the “Three Delays“ framework. This framework asserts that maternal mortality in developing countries results from three delays to accessing appropriate health […]
What do certified nurse-midwives believe? Measuring CNM attitudes towards planned home birth (abstract)
2009 Vedam S, Stoll K, Schummers L. What do certified nurse-midwives believe? Measuring CNM attitudes towards planned home birth (abstract). Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health, 54(5): 425. Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to validate a Provider Attitude towards Planned Home Birth scale (PAPHB), and to explore correlates and predictors of certified […]
Nurse-midwives’ experiences with planned home birth: Impact on attitudes and practice
2009 Vedam S, Stoll K, Aaker J, White S, Schummers L. (2009). Nurse-midwives’ experiences with planned home birth: Impact on attitudes and practice. Birth, 34(4): 274-282. Abstract Background: Health care providers’ attitudes toward maternity care options influence the nature of informed decision-making discussions and patient choice. A woman’s choice of birth site may be […]
Obstetrician, family physician, or midwife: Preferences of the next generation of maternity care consumers
2012 Fairbrother N, Stoll K, Schummers L, Carty E. (2012). Obstetrician, family physician, or midwife: Preferences of the next generation of maternity care consumers. Canadian Journal of Midwifery Research & Practice; Accepted November, 2011; in press. Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the views of a cohort of Canadian university students […]
A comparison of visits and practices of nurse-midwives and obstetrician-gynecologists in ambulatory care settings
2000 Paine LL, Johnson TRB, Lang JM, Gagnon D, Declercq ER, DeJoseph JF, Scupholme A, Strobino D. Ross A. (2000). A comparison of visits and practices of nurse-midwives and obstetrician-gynecologists in ambulatory care settings. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 45(1): 37-44. Abstract With more than 5 million patient visits annually, certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) […]
Serving women in need: Nurse-midwifery practice in the United States
2001 Declercq ER, Williams DR, Koontz AM, Paine LL, Streit EL, McCloskey L. (2001). Serving women in need: Nurse-midwifery practice in the United States. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 46(1): 11-16. Abstract Objective: Nurse-midwifery practices in the United States were examined to study the relationship between certified nurse-midwives’ (CNMs) demographic, work setting, […]
A comparison of two time intervals for the auscultated acceleration test
2001 Paine LL, Zanardi LR, Johnson TRB, Rorie JL, Barger MK. (2001). A comparison of two time intervals for the auscultated acceleration test. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 46(2): 98-102. Abstract Objective: Interest in an inexpensive, easy-to-administer antenatal screening test that did not rely on the use of electronic fetal monitoring led to […]
The MCH Certificate Program: A new path to graduate education in public health
2001 Bernstein J, Paine LL, Smith J, Galblum A. (2001). The MCH Certificate Program: A new path to graduate education in public health. Maternal & Child Health Journal, 5(1): 53-60. Abstract Objective: The purpose of the MCH Certificate Program was threefold: to develop a new educational initiative in response to national and local […]
Midwifery care: Women’s experiences, hopes and reflections
1999 Breitkreiz L, Ellis C, Hanson C, Moon M (1999). Midwifery care: Women’s experiences, hopes and reflections. Prairie Women’s Health Centre of Excellence: Winnipeg, MB. Abstract Documents women’s experiences with midwifery. Provides recommendations to policy makers regarding the implementation of midwifery. [Available here]
“Here it is not like at home”: Cross-cultural competencies for midwives
2008 Ellis C. (2008). “Here it is not like at home”: Cross-cultural competencies for midwives. Canadian Journal of Midwifery Research and Practice, 7(3). Abstract Cross-cultural competence in midwifery practice is an important skill when caring for childbearing women from different cultural backgrounds. Cross-cultural competence has many definitions and technical, professional, and personal skills vary […]
Reducing maternal mortality in Uganda: Applying the “three delays” framework
2011 Ellis C, Schummers L, Rostoker M. (2011). Reducing maternal mortality in Uganda: Applying the “three delays” framework. International Journal of Childbirth, 1(4): 218-226(9). Abstract Purpose: This article examines maternal mortality in Uganda through the “Three Delays“ framework. This framework asserts that maternal mortality in developing countries results from three delays to accessing appropriate […]
Thought-action fusion in obsessive compulsive disorder
1996 Shafran R, Thordarson DS, & Rachman S. (1996). Thought-action fusion in obsessive compulsive disorder. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 10(5): 379-391. Abstract Recent psychometric results suggested that the phenomenon of thought-action fusion (TAF) is implicated in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The construct of TAF has two components: (a) the belief that thinking about an […]
Comparative efficacy, speed, and adverse effects of three PTSD treatments: Exposure therapy, EMDR, and relaxation training
2003 Taylor S, Thordarson DS, Maxfield L, Fedoroff IC, & Lovell K. (2003). Comparative efficacy, speed, and adverse effects of three PTSD treatments: Exposure therapy, EMDR, and relaxation training. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71(2): 330-338. Abstract The authors examined the efficacy, speed, and incidence of symptom worsening for 3 treatments of posttraumatic […]
The Vancouver Obsessional Compulsive Inventory (VOCI)
2004 Thordarson DS, Radomsky AS, Rachman S, Shafran R, Sawchuk CN, & Hakstian AR. (2004). The Vancouver Obsessional Compulsive Inventory (VOCI). Behaviour Research & Therapy, 42(11): 1289-1314. Abstract The original Maudsley Obsessional Compulsive Inventory (MOCI) has been widely used and is considered to be one of the best available self-report instruments for measuring observable […]
Psychometric validation of the Obsessive Belief Questionnaire and the Interpretation of Intrusions Inventory: Part 2, factor analyses and testing of a brief version
2005 Obsessive Compulsive Cognitions Working Group. (2005). Psychometric validation of the Obsessive Belief Questionnaire and the Interpretation of Intrusions Inventory: Part 2, factor analyses and testing of a brief version. Behaviour Research & Therapy, 43(11): 1527-42. Abstract The Obsessive Belief Questionnaire (OBQ) and the Interpretation of Intrusions Inventory (III) were designed to assess beliefs […]
Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: Cognitive behavior therapy vs exposure and response prevention
2005 Whittal ML, Thordarson DS, & McLean PD. (2005). Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: Cognitive behavior therapy vs exposure and response prevention. Behaviour Research & Therapy, 43(12): 1559-76. Abstract The efficacy of contemporary cognitive therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has only recently been investigated. The current study compares exposure and response prevention (ERP) and cognitive […]