How Is the Early Phase of Labour Perceived by Canadian Inuit Women?

In remote communities in Canada&s;s north, the early phase of labour among Indigenous women is often not viewed as a time when communication with or care by a health professional is needed. At one regional clinic the mean cervical dilation on admission was 4.5 cm. Women rarely arrive before labour is active. When asked when labour began – there is often a vague answer without further discussion. Women stay home to care for their household, particularly if there are other small children. During this time, they are often in the company of other women who will come with them to the clinic for birthing. The caesarean birth rate in this population is 16.5%, with 6% overall being due to dystocia.