Mothers-to-be in Inuvik are once again being told they will be shipped down to Yellowknife to complete their births.

An announcement was released by Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority Sept. 23. Obstetric services are now suspended from Oct. 1 to at least Nov. 3.

"Patients who were planning to give birth in Inuvik and who are 36 weeks or more in their pregnancy during this timeframe, will be contacted and advised to transfer their care to Stanton Territorial Hospital (STH) in Yellowknife," reads the notice. "Pre-and-post natal assessments and care will continue at Inuvik Regional Hospital (IRH).

"Anyone in Inuvik who is pregnant and requires assessment or who goes into labour during this time is asked to please present to the IRH emergency department for care."

Staffing shortages are once again being blamed for the suspension of birthing services.

NTHSSA has had issues keeping the Obstetric unit in Inuvik open throughout the year. Services were last suspended from June 30 to Sept. 9 and previously in January from Jan. 11 to 13.

The GNWT has published a frequently asked questions informer for patients affected by the service outage. You can find that