New numbers for Winnipeg’s birth centre shows slow growth in the midst of a midwife shortage.

Eleven months ago, Sarah Anderson gave birth to her son, Duncan, at the centre located on St. Mary's Road. Anderson said she preferred the slower-paced setting over a hospital.

"A more relaxed atmosphere that's for sure…not tonnes of people going in and out for emergencies,” she said.

While Anderson had her baby at the centre, many expecting moms are not.

Numbers for 2015, as of August 31, show 110 births so far this year.

The $3.5 million facility, with $2.6 million in annual operating costs, is still well under its capacity of 500 births a year, according to the statistics.

Data provided by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority shows in 2011, when the centre opened, there were six births. Since then, the numbers have gone into the triple-digits, growing slightly each year:

Births Per Year

2011                                  6
2012                               120
2013                               126
2014                               149
2015 (as of Aug. 31)       110

Trina Larson, manager at the Birth Centre, said expectant moms who want to have their baby at the facility must book a midwife, and Manitoba is facing a shortage.

"We have more women asking for midwives than we are able to accommodate,” said Larson.

Anderson said she knows how hard it can be to find a midwife. She was initially turned down because of the wait list and she's not the only one.

“It’s a concern for friends of mine who are thinking of having midwives, or who want to have a midwife for their birth. I know friends who have not been able to receive one,” she said.

Manitoba Health Minister Sharon Blady said 13 new midwife students are in training now and more could be added to that class in the future.

Blady added birth numbers shouldn't be the centre's only measure of success; she said the facility offers more for mothers, including free pre and post-natal programs.

The minister also said some moms are simply choosing to have their babies at home.

"Am I disappointed that the numbers aren't at 500? Absolutely. Do I want to work to get them there? Absolutely; but I also know this is about supporting women’s choices,” said Blady.