Normalizing Birth: Quality Care and Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Section Advisory Groups

Are you interested in normalizing the birth process for women and infants across the province? Join our quality care and/or vaginal birth after cesarean section advisory group.
Open to: Volunteers across the province

Lead Organization or Department

Perinatal Services BC

Aim

BC has the highest rate of cesarean section birth in Canada and this continues to rise, although outcomes for both women and infants are improved with vaginal birth. The Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Section (VBAC) advisory group will provide advice to Perinatal Services BC (PSBC) and the Ministry of Health on education, communication, and system planning for strategies that will lead to an increase in VBAC rates. The Quality Care advisory group will provide advice to PSBC on how to support health authorities and maternity care providers to improve the implementation of clinical practice guidelines that support normal birth (with a focus on preventing cesarean section when it is not medically indicated).

Level of Engagement

This opportunity is at the level of involve on the spectrum of engagement (www.iap2.org). The promise to you is that the health care partner will work with you to ensure that your ideas and concerns are reflected in recommendations and provide feedback on how your input affected the decision.

Eligibility

• open to volunteers from across the province
• familiarity with birth/birthing process
• have had a birthing experience in the past 10 years
• familiar with women's health issues
• comfort speaking in group setting

Logistics

• Vacancies: 2-4
• Note: There are two separate advisory groups which each require 2 volunteers. Volunteers may participate in one or both committees.
• The groups meet every 3-4 weeks for 1.5 hours in Vancouver near Cambie and 12^th Patients are welcome to join by phone, or come in person if they live in the Vancouver area. The meetings are during business hours.
• Meetings will continue until the spring, when the recommendations are completed.
• The next meetings are scheduled for VBAC group November 1 1:30-3 pm and Quality Care Group November 2 9-10:30 am.

Reimbursement

For patient partners in the Vancouver area, approved mileage up to 60 km each direction and parking will be reimbursed. For patient partners across the province, child minding for up to 3 hours (max $15/hr) will be covered if applicable. All expenses must be approved in advance.  Participation via teleconference is toll-free.

Background

Perinatal Services BC was asked by the Ministry of Health to lead this quality improvement initiative. The committees’ work will mostly be focused on acute care maternity as well as some discussion of community care. Committee members include representatives from the Ministry of Health, Health Authorities, care providers (general practitioner, obstetrician, midwife, nurse, doula), researchers and patient partners. Terms of reference for both committees and previous meeting minutes and materials will be shared with selected volunteers before the first meeting.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Karen Estrin
Engagement Leader, Patient and Public Engagement | Lower Mainland & Sunshine Coast
604.668.8245
kestrin@bcpsqc.ca