Burnout is probably the biggest challenge, and we're seeing that now. A recent study said two-thirds of B.C. midwives were considering leaving. There was some participation of Ontario midwives, but burnout is certainly an issue.
There has been austerity in the health care system as long as midwifery has been around. There was a hard fight through the Human Rights Tribunal for Ontario midwives to achieve pay equity, and we are in appeal again still. Other pressures like paying for PPE or not being considered essential certainly contribute to the burnout.