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RANKIN INLET - Rachel Jones became the first Inuk to receive her diploma from the Nunavut midwifery education program during a Nunavut Arctic College graduation ceremony in Rankin Inlet this past week.

Nowyah Williams of Rankin Inlet received an honorary diploma during the ceremony.

Rachel Jones was joined on her special night graduating from Nunavut Arctic College's Nunavut midwifery education program by family members Junior Kaludjak, Loli Kaludjak, Greg Jones, Chris Jones and Geoff Jones, from left, and Leo Jones, front, in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The program includes a one-year certificate in maternity care - after which a student may choose to enter the workforce in that capacity - followed by the two-year diploma program for midwifery.

Jones is now eligible to write her Canadian national midwifery exam, which is offered twice a year.

The next national exam will be offered in May of 2009.

Jones, 32, is formerly from Coral Harbour, but now lives in Rankin Inlet.

She said she was always obsessed with birth, even as a kid.

"I don't know why I was always so obsessed with birth but I was," said Jones.

"As I got older, and then especially when I joined the midwifery program, I realized there's a lot more to it than the actual birth.

"You have to take care of the woman from the time she enters the program in her early pregnancy all the way to six weeks post-partum, or after the baby's born."

Jones said the midwifery program is a lot of tough work, especially being on call, but it can also be extremely gratifying.

She said getting through the program was a little tougher because she had to travel to meet all her training requirements.

"Because of the low volume of births here in Rankin, I was sent out to Iqaluit twice for six-week spurts to do as many births there as possible.

"We had a fairly steady rate of births in Rankin but we would go through some slower months.

"It was better for me to go to a higher-volume place like Iqaluit."

Jones said pretty much every birth a midwife attends is gratifying because they're a part of somebody's very special day.

"It's also very rewarding to go through all the theory because you get to understand so much more about the entire process."

Jones said a few moms whose babies she helped deliver have stayed in touch with her since the births.

She said many of the young out-of-town moms seemed to connect with her the most.

"I'll be at the airport and a young mom will come up and ask if I'm Rachel.

"When I say yes, they'll show me the baby and ask if I remember catching him or her.

"That sounds so funny, but it's literally what it is in a lot of ways."

Jones said none of the births she attended got too difficult.

She said things don't always go perfectly, but midwives are well-trained to handle such times.

"Because I'm still under supervision, myself and two registered midwives attend every birth.

"Sometimes there will be a maternity-care worker present as well, depending on the call.

"Midwifery is a challenging and gratifying career that more girls in high school should think about."