The outcome of perinatal care in Inukjuak, Nunavik, Canada 1998–2002

Abstract

Introduction. From the 1950s women in Nunavik were transferred to South Quebec to give birth. Since 1986 women have had the opportunity to give birth in Povungnituk, Nunavik, and the education of community midwives began. Inukjuak, a small community in Nunavik, was included in the project in 1998. There is no possibility for caesarean section or transfer during birth, in any of the places. Women can be transferred in pregnancy or post partum to the small hospital in Povungnituk or to a specialist obstetrical unit in Montreal. Study design. A 5-year retrospective survey of the perinatal care in Inukjuak. Method. Data were collected from 1. Birth registrations. 2. Antenatal records in Inukjuak. 3. Records and follow-up of medical evacuations to either Povungnituk or Montreal. Results. Of the 182 women from Inukjuak who gave birth, 72.5% of the women gave birth in their own community. 4.5% women or/and newborn was evacuated for reasons related to birth. The rate of premature birth is 3.3% of all pregnant women from Inukjuak. The PMR is 0.5% of all babies born by women from Inukjuak and 0.7% of all babies born in Inukjuak. Conclusion. Three out of four women can stay in Inukjuak and give birth with a PMR of 0.7%

Key Words:

• Nunavik
• Inuit midwives
• decentralized perinatal care
• arctic perinatal care