Why Mental Health Matters at Every Stage of Birth
For many, the journey to parenthood begins not with a positive pregnancy test, but with months – sometimes years – of emotional preparation. Whether someone is navigating fertility challenges, processing a past trauma, or simply adapting to the changes that come with pregnancy, mental health is present at every stage of birth. And yet, it […]
Perspectives From The Field: What We Learned from Visiting Families Across Quebec
Over the past few months, the Movement has toured various regions of Quebec to connect with families, citizen groups advocating for midwifery services, and perinatal organizations. From the North Shore to Montreal, including Quebec City, LĂ©vis, and Chicoutimi, our goal was to gain a better understanding of the realities faced by families and midwifery services […]
The Movement on Tour: First Stops and Upcoming Dates!
The regional tour of the Movement for Childbirth Autonomy is officially underway! ✨ Our first stops allowed us to meet engaged citizens in the Eastern Townships, as well as the inspiring team from the organization Ă€ la source in Sept-ĂŽles, which is actively campaigning for access to midwifery services on the North Shore. 👉Listen to […]
States General for Midwifery Practice: A Decisive Moment — It’s Your Turn to Speak!
On June 13 and 14, 2025, the States General for Midwifery Practice will occur. This significant event will be organized by the Institut du Nouveau Monde, supported by funding from the Ministry of Health and Social Services. The goal? To outline the future of midwifery in Quebec. And for that, every voice counts. Yours too. […]
A Century of Change: The Medicalization of Birth in Quebec
For much of Quebec’s history, childbirth was a deeply personal, community-centered experience. Families welcomed new life at home, surrounded by loved ones, with midwives offering guidance and support. However, the landscape of childbirth shifted dramatically in the mid-20th century, moving from home-based births to highly medicalized hospital settings. This transformation had profound implications, not only […]
Building Birthing Communities: How Parents’ Committees Shaped Quebec’s Birthing Centers
Parents’ committees have been influencing and transforming midwifery services and birthing centers in Quebec for nearly three decades. Born out of a growing desire for autonomy in the childbirth experience, they have helped create robust community networks ensuring that care remains centered on the needs of users. Their evolution is remarkable: initially present in a […]
Become a Partner of Mzine 2025 – A Unique Opportunity for Visibility
MZine 2025, the flagship publication of the Childbirth Autonomy Movement, is celebrating an important milestone this year: the 30th anniversary of our national feminist organization. This special issue, available in print and digital formats, will highlight three decades of defending the rights and autonomy of women and pregnant people in their peripregnancy journey. With a […]
Parenting with Purpose: Raising Children in a Family That Advocates Self-Determination During Childbirth
Parenting begins long before a child is born. For families that advocate for self-determination during childbirth, this philosophy naturally extends to how they raise their children—prioritizing independence, body autonomy, and natural health practices. By fostering an environment rooted in these values, parents lay a foundation of trust and empowerment that shapes their children’s growth and […]
Thirty Years of Meaningful Community and Impact
In 2025, the Mouvement pour l’autonomie dans l’enfantement (formerly Groupe MAMAN) proudly celebrates thirty years of dedicated advocacy for women’s birthing rights and autonomy in Quebec. Founded in 1995 under the name Groupe Maman, The Movement has been a driving force in transforming childbirth experiences and advancing reproductive freedom, ensuring that women and birthing individuals […]
The Regional Tour of the Mouvement Pour L’autonomie Dans L’enfantement
The Movement is embarking on a regional tour as part of its strategic plan! This project, funded by the Ministère Femmes ÉgalitĂ© des Genres Canada, is scheduled from January to October 2025. Our goal is to meet with perinatal stakeholders in all regions of Quebec! We want to engage directly with citizen groups, parents’ committees, […]
Making a complaint: When the system fails
BySara Frattolillo, mother and communications manager at Mieux-NaĂ®tre in LavalAmĂ©lie Blanchette, mother, doula and perinatal intervention consultant at Mieux-NaĂ®tre in Laval With the generous participation of JosĂ©e Laperle, Executive Director of the Centre d’assistance et d’accompagnement aux plaintes de Laval (CAAP) What recourse do we have if we are dissatisfied with the care and services […]
Midwifery Practice in Quebec – From Legalization to Future Reflections
The midwifery practice in Quebec represents a movement rooted in women’s autonomy, equity, and the humanization of childbirth. For decades, families and activists have opposed the medicalization of childbirth, seeking a return to more personalized care. As childbirth moved into hospitals in the 1950s, many women felt their experiences became overly clinical. The midwifery movement […]
