May 5 is International Day of the Midwife, but local midwives celebrated a day early.

There was food, games, and tours of the facility at Winnipeg's Birth Centre at the corner of St. Mary's Road and St. Anne's Road.  Danielle Laxdal, president of the Manitoba Association of Midwives, said it was all a celebration.

"It's an opportunity to us to showcase our work, welcome our clients back to the Birth Centre, and generally celebrate midwifery and birth in general," Laxdal explained.

Laxdal says they have tried to focus on choice. That includes things like having the choice of where and how you want to give birth. Midwives also create a greater focus on family.

Although it was a celebration, Laxdal pointed out that they really need more midwives, particularly in northern and rural Manitoba so they don't have to come to Winnipeg. She also stressed the need for a Manitoba-made education program that is sustainable for many years.

"It's a celebration, hopefully, it garners a bit more interest," Laxdal explained.