When a new mom has disturbing and uncontrolled thoughts about hurting her baby, help is available

 By Gina Wong and Nicole Letourneau In January, a new mother in California became part of a viral Facebook post that described her baby’s four-month postpartum checkup. As a result of the thoughts she shared with her health care providers, the police were called and she was escorted to the

The Ottawa Birth and Wellness Centre: A Unique Approach to Birth and Beyond

 Photos courtesy of the Ottawa Birth and Wellness Centre Birth is a big deal. One of the most special moments in a family’s life, it simultaneously changes and creates lives. There are so many ways to give birth in the modern world we live in, but it’s important for women

What’s Your Story? The Future of Healthcare

 Photo Courtesy of Dollar Photo Club. Jane, 44 lay frozen on the treatment table. A few seconds before a searing bolt of pain had gone through her back as though someone had just stabbed her with a red-hot poker. She looked up at the health practitioner and asked, “I don't understand

A Single Birch Leaf

 When country trees Howled and creaked Like a wooden floor A single birch leaf Stood its ground And would not bend Against the wind Or yield to its roar Beckoned to follow By oak and maple It refused to go And chose instead To greet the snow Why does a

Why Do We Have So Few Midwives In Canada?

 Canada’s Lack of Midwifery Capacity is Costing the Healthcare System I once interviewed a midwife from the UK who questioned why it is that we are so unique when it comes to birthing in Canada. She said, “it is not like you Canadians have maple syrup coming out of your

Five Things Most People Get Wrong About Canada’s Health-Care System

 By Kathleen O’Grady and Noralou Roos A recent court challenge before the British Columbia Supreme Court threatened to change the rules of the game for the Canadian health-care system—should the challenge have made its way to the Supreme Court of Canada and found success there. Dr. Brian Day of the

Are we taking too many pills?

 By Jennifer Paterson More Canadians are taking prescription medicine than ever before. Many busy people believe in the don't-think-twice, pop-it-in-your-mouth, "magic bullet" cure for all illness and disease. Total drug expenditures per Canadian were tallied at $681 in 2004 — up almost 8 per cent from 2003, according to a