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Health Studies student Emily Brown, from St. Stephen, NB, spent her summer examining how lack of midwifery services in the Atlantic Provinces compared to central and western Canada affects one’s ability to make informed reproductive healthcare decisions. She worked with faculty supervisor Dr. Christiana MacDougall. 

“This research will help to highlight gaps in healthcare services in the Atlantic region,” says Brown. “And I hope it will demonstrate the importance of expanding access to midwifery care.” 
 
As part of her research plan, she completed a literature review surrounding the impact of rurality, client experiences, and birth care for Indigenous families. She will begin conducting focus groups to explore what people know about midwifery this fall. 
 
Brown says this research project has been a highlight of her undergraduate career at Mount Allison.  
 
“It has given me a glimpse into the world of academia and I know the skills I have acquired during this process will serve me well in the future,” says Brown. “Conducting this research has allowed me to really focus my degree towards what I ultimately want to pursue as my career in healthcare and that has been very beneficial for me.” 
 
After graduating from Mount Allison, Brown plans to attend midwifery school and then return to New Brunswick, helping to ensure more people have access to this kind of healthcare.  

“Spending time this summer reading about the ins and outs of midwifery from the perspective of patients, providers, and the entire healthcare system has given me an extremely well-rounded view of the profession,” she says. “It has allowed me to see where the gaps are systemically, as well as why people choose midwifery care. I think that knowing from the literature what people want from their healthcare providers and what is important to people when giving birth, I will be better able to serve my future clients.”