Public knowledge and perceptions of midwifery in New Brunswick: A cross-sectional survey

BackgroundAccess to midwifery care in New Brunswick, Canada is limited, with services concentrated in a single urban clinic and unmet demand across the province.ObjectivesThis study examined public knowledge, awareness, and experiences of midwifery services in New Brunswick.DesignA cross-sectional survey was administered between August 2023 and January 2024. The survey assessed familiarity with reproductive healthcare providers and knowledge of midwifery services.MethodsAn online survey was completed by 282 New Brunswick residents who were current or potential service users of midwifery care. Descriptive statistics, correlations, t-tests, and ANOVAs were used to analyze differences in knowledge across demographic groups.ResultsParticipants expressed strong support for expanding midwifery care, with 96.8% agreeing it should be available to all who want it and 90.8% supporting home birth as an option. However, few participants reported direct access to midwifery services, with many placed on waitlists or deemed ineligible due to the restricted catchment area for the clinic. Knowledge scores were significantly higher among residents in the city where the clinic is located and 2SLGBTQIA+ participants. Awareness around the profession's prescribing rights, laboratory orders, and public funding was limited.ConclusionIn addition to addressing structural barriers and expanding services into rural and Francophone communities, the findings of this study indicate a need for targeted public education campaigns to ensure equitable, culturally responsive, and sustainable maternity care across the province. Our findings suggest that the lack of knowledge about midwifery may reflect the incomplete integration of regulated midwifery care into the provincial healthcare system.